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[redafiya]

This is a brief query re. "blowback" from the Iraq war -- In England ( where I am currently ) there is very powerful and rising tension between the Muslim communities and the indigineous white/christian/asian hindu/jamaican UK residents....and yes, it was heating up for a few years before the Islamic suicide bombers hit the London subways....

So my query is -- if relations here in UK are burning up, tense due to Tony Blair's support of the war on Iraq, and his percieved "anti Islamic" crusade -- how is it in specifically, UAE, Dubai and Bahrain? ( Note, I am asking about these locations specifically, becuase they have long been namechecked as being peaceful and moderate and free from anti western rhetoric -- I am fully aware of the anti western attacks in Saudi compounds, Qatar theatres etc, so i wonder if its spread.... )

Thanks very much for your insights/comments/advice. Personally, I was against the bombing of Iraq and have known Muslims as students and friends for around 20 years,and enjoyed their friendsdhip..... and whilst I certainly do not condone the Islamic violent response -- I do understand it. It's hard for me to imagine that UAE/Bahrain/Dubai would be totally safe and free from anti western attacks in the present political climate -- but i dont know. Please advise.

Redafiya.

[veiledsentiments]

I suggest that anyone who wishes to respond do so on the General Middle East section...

VS

[moonraven]

I have only been in Bahrain for a few days so of course am prepared to have my perceptions poo-poohed by longtimers on this board.

This does not appear to me to be a hotbed of Islamic militancy, however. What passes for political protest here seems largely to be of the against the monarchy sort. And wages are a hot issue, too. Apparently.

I have the habit of talking to people in the street (yes, even in 105 degrees)--and those folks seem very friendly. They are locals--neither mad dogs, nor Englishmen.

Mostly what I hear here is anti-Saudi feeling. I heard that in Jordan, as well--where the Saudis were routinely blamed for everything from traffic accidents to dust storms to high prices (when they weren't blaming Iraqis for those).

[dmb]

interesting. I never met any locals in Bahrain, having only spent the odd weekend there. I only met expats and Saudis 'visiting the museum' But most arabs I met/taught were very pro-saudi due to the fact they had saudi relatives.

[moonraven]

When King Fahd died, I was in Jordan--where a lot of anti-Saudi feeling came out of the woodwork. The new ruler's illiteracy was a big topic--which led to discussions of the reactionary nature of much of the region.

[dmb]

so long timers, what do you think? are non saudi arabs pro or anti Saudi? (of course this will be a stereotype.) OOPS, I have cursed this thread by mentioning the S word. It will be locked.

[redafiya]

Thanks for your insights and advice -- keep 'em coming. I appreciate it.