Furore over condolence banners in the Southern Governorate

Manama

Mourning signs that were posted by a parliamentarian in different parts of the Southern Governorate has become a controversy among the residents of the district.

In a social gesture, MP Khalid Al Shaer set up a couple of posters on the roads of Isa Town and Zayed Town, offering condolence to the residents of the constituency and the people of Bahrain on the occasion of the martyrdom of five Bahraini soldiers in Yemen last week.

Several residents and public figures have expressed their annoyance, after the Southern Area Municipality apparently posted violation notices on the flex boards. The issue became a debate on popular local online platforms.

In a statement issued on Thursday, fellow legislator and head of the council’s Foreign Affairs, Defence and National Security Committee Jamal Bu Hassan said, “We all know and respect the law. MPs form the first step of the ladder of legislation in the country, but the municipality could have directly informed the MP about the violation, considering the national importance of the posters.”

He described the municipality’s step as “uncivilised and careless towards the feelings of the people of Bahrain.” MP Al Shaer’s comments were not immediately available.On the other hand, several groups on social media networks discussed how “the country should celebrate the martyrdom of its brave soldiers instead of mourning them.”

A popular account on Twitter stated “the sacrifices of the martyred soldiers should be remembered in a more positive way.”