Hot Shots

Congratulations Huda
I’d like to congratulate Sofitel’s director of talent and culture, Huda Mirza. We’ve featured her in the magazine before and she was lovely, so I was delighted to hear she was one of 11 Bahrainis from the private sector honoured for their professional achievements at an awards ceremony to mark National Day. She said: “I am incredibly proud and honoured to be recognised amongst such a talented and outstanding group of hardworking people.” Keep up the good work.
An Eye for an Eye
I’ve been absolutely heartbroken to see images on social media of dogs being poisoned across Bahrain. Some are the poor animals that scratch out an existence on the streets, others are much-loved pets unfortunate enough to pick up a piece of tainted meat. With a large number of cases in recent weeks, there’s no doubt this is deliberate. It’s horribly cruel and really not the way to deal with the stray dog population. Whether you like dogs or not, and I do, to see an animal dying in pain is hideous and I hope action is taken immediately. Personally, I’d poison the poisoners!
Making Us Proud
As a journalist, I was pretty shocked when Carrie Gracie announced her resignation from the BBC as a stand against gender pay inequality. I’m in awe that she has stood up to this huge and august corporation, which really should know better. I was delighted to learn that she was actually born in Bahrain, her father having been stationed here while employed in the oil industry. It’s nice to see a “local” girl doing us proud.
Barbaric Custom
While Saudi Arabia is making headlines for its advances in women’s rights, Nepal has once again gained notoriety for the wrong reasons after a woman died from smoke inhalation having made a fire in a primitive outdoor hut where she was banished to sleep because she was menstruating. The Nepalese government is trying to stamp out the tradition of chhaupadi, which comes from an ancient Hindu belief that menstruating women are unclean. Though the practice has been outlawed, enforcement will not begin until August which may be too late for some. The country sees deaths every year as women and girls are forced to leave their homes during freezing winter weather. I’m glad a law has been passed but it’s taking too long to implement.
More Praise for Saudi
Things are moving apace in the “Magic Kingdom” across the causeway. Women are now allowed to attend sporting competitions – jubilant selfies of them watching the first football match were all over social media. And, following last year’s announcement that Saudi women would be allowed to drive, they are now to get a female only car showroom. They’re activities that we take for granted – personally, I would not want to watch a football match and have no real desire to visit a car showroom, but I wouldn’t want anyone telling me I couldn’t either. These are big strides for our Saudi sisters and deserve celebration.