In the daytime, the 'Bahrain and the Arab Spring' conference, believed to be the first conference in Europe on the subject of Bahrain's relationship with the 'Arab Spring', exposed the real stories and issues surrounding the current situation in Bahrain - including the UK's role - that conference-goers were unlikely to have come across in the mainstream media. A hotly topical day at Manchester Metropolitan University saw Dr Salah Al-Bander, former adviser to the King of Bahrain, draw out the enormity of the abuses in Bahrain by giving hypothetical projected statistics for equivalent atrocities in the UK. Dr Al-Bander argued that outside assistance from the UN and the Arab League is needed to help end the conflict. This recommendation was countered by Manchester University's Dr Dalia Said Mostafa, who advocated outright revolution. Barrister Pete Weatherby also gave an illuminating account of his experiences and insights gained while in Bahrain on behalf of the UK Bar Human Rights Committee. The speakers were followed by a series of workshops. See here for full press release.
Many of those who attended the Bahrain conference also made it to Cheetham Hill Welcome Centre on Saturday evening, joining a large audience for the very well-attended Afghanistan In Reality event. The evening began with a fascinating talk from British Museum curator Constance Wyndham on some of the finds and history covered in the BM's 'Afghanistan: Crossroads of the Ancient World' exhibition.
The audience, which comprised many members of Manchester's Hazara Afghan community, as well as lots of other local people, also heard from Longsight Councillor Dr Aftab Ahmed, who spoke about the destitution of Afghan men in Manchester, who are 'living in the twilight world', as he put it. Nahella Ashraf of Greater Manchester Stop The War Coalition spoke about British and US involvement in Afghanistan, and argued that western powers, if they truly wanted to help the Afghan people, would leave Afghanistan and allow international organisations to help the Afghan people rebuild their country. Political activist and student Rohullah Yakobi described the historical and ongoing persecution of the Hazara community from all sides - by the West, the Russian invasion, the Taliban - and spoke out against the current Afghan government, which he described as a corrupt 'puppet government'.
The evening also featured some fabulous food, an Afghanistan-related book exhibition from Manchester Libraries and live music from some RAPAR members.
RAPAR members from the Hazara community, and others who are engaged with it, intend the evening to form the launch pad for a new solidarity and togetherness for the Hazara community in Manchester, many of whom share similar concerns and challenges.