UAE Latest Gulf Nation To Say "Enough"

by Meena S Janardhan

(IPS) DUBAI -- A new word is resounding in the Arab world -- 'kifaya' -- Arabic for 'enough'

Many Arabs are fed up and want democracy and Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak's announcement that his country is ready to hold its first-ever secret, multiparty presidential elections later this year indicates that the winds of change may be blowing through the Middle East.

And the 'kiyafa' fever, too, seems to be catching on in the United Arab Emirates as well.

The stern call for change made last December by Gen. Sheikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai crown prince and UAE minister of defense, seems to have set the tone. At the Arab Strategy Forum, he said, "I say to my fellow Arabs in charge: If you do not change, you will be changed!"

"If you do not initiate radical changes, responsibly discharge your duties and uphold the principles of truth, justice and responsibility, your people will resent you. More than this, the verdict of history on you will be severe," he added.

The resonance of this call and of 'kifaya' is reflected in the recent statements made by leading academics and professionals in the country.

"It has become the ambition of every citizen to have a say in the working of government, either as an elected official or as a voter," said Abdul Khaleq Abdullah, a professor at UAE University.

"This is a powerful empowering tool. It ensures a free and healthy participation in politics," added Abdullah.

As of now, no political parties are allowed in the six Gulf Cooperation Council States, but Oman and Qatar have taken initial steps towards democratization albeit slowly and Bahrain and Kuwait now hold parliamentary elections.

In a rare nationwide vote, Saudi Arabia has also been holding municipal polls as part of a cautious reform, allowing only male citizens to vote.

"At a time when more than 10 million Arabs in Palestine, Iraq and Saudi Arabia exercized their right to vote and participated in elections, it is completely unacceptable that the UAE still has an appointed legislature," said Abdullah.

The Federal National Council (FNC) theoretically is the legislative body of the country and just celebrated its 33rd anniversary. According to the constitution, federal draft laws have to pass through the FNC for review and recommendations, which, ironically, are not binding on the government. Furthermore, the FNC has no power to suggest any law and may not discuss any issue without permission from the cabinet.

Saeed Hareb, professor at UAE University, said in a statement, "It is strange that Iraqis registered and voted in the UAE for their country's election. Yet UAE citizens do not have the right to vote."

"With elections being held in Egypt, the UAE will be the only country in the region that does not have elections," he added.

Hareb said the time was right to have a fully elected FNC. "We've had enough of an appointed council without legislative powers. It lags behind in development and fails to express the people's concerns."

According to UAE University's Abdullah, it has "become embarrassing for the UAE to fall behind others politically in the region."

"This does not fit the country and its stature," he added. "The FNC should have full legislative powers. It can never remain a consultative House without controlling powers."

Stressed Abdullah: "Women must also be represented in the council and its members must be increased to be proportionate to the population."

The FNC is, however, a forum where members have freedom of speech and the right to question ministers under the rules of the council. Cabinet members are often grilled and criticized by members during debates.

Reiterating the need for elections, Khalifa Bakhit Al Falasi, a leading intellectual and a diplomat, wrote in the Arabic daily 'Al Bayan' that the UAE people must be rewarded for their efforts, patience and loyalty by being given the right to elect FNC members in line with the UAE's constitution.

But Abdullah pointed out that reforms cannot be initiated from within the FNC. "It is not powerful enough as a lower house to reform itself," he stressed.

"All FNC members are looking forward to a government initiative for political reform that matches the economic and social advancement. But the government will not move unless the grassroots demand reform," the university professor pointed out.

In a landmark statement Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammad Al Qasimi, the ruler of Sharjah -- one of the seven emirates making up the country -- announced the formation of municipal elections. He said this move was a prelude to civic elections in the emirate. Speaking at the swearing-in of the 88 members -- which included two women -- chosen for the nine councils, the chairman of the Sharjah Municipal Council, Mohammed Salim Al Owais, said, "This is a clear manifestation of the 'Shura' (parliamentary) principles."

The move has been described as a step towards democracy and a definite sign that change is on its way.

"I hope that this will enhance ties between the authorities and the people. This is a harbinger to similar developments at the local, national and regional levels," said Ahmed Al Gobaisi, a Sharjah national.

"This announcement will pave the way for reforms and is a call for nationals to share the responsibility of governing our country. We must rise to this challenge and prove that we are worthy of this trust," he added.