Dictators in Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and Jordan are the dogs for US and its allies. They do not represent us. Obama or that fake teeth lady won't say that.
We, Muslims are not worth of democracy. Because dictators are doing a tremendous job for their interests. If we want democracy, freedom and human dignity then they will shift their voice elsewhere as usual "Muslim Brotherhood will go in power" etc.
Des Demona - this is for human dignity. Arab uprisings are against US & Israeli hegemony. I really don't think you have got it. My World Cup ticket ok? What is this? This is a human survivor.

People should understand that these corrupted leaders do not represent us as Sunnis. Since they kill Sunnis people as well. As a Sunni I'd like to see Iraq and Bahrain Shia leaders - I really do like many other young Sunnis who fed up these Sunnis dictators. I support the Shias and Sunnis unity. After all, we are all Muslims. And we get pick up as Muslims not Shias and Sunnis. Nothing comes between us!

@ Mr Divine,

My wife works in a hospital with Muslims and says they are nice people. I dont have anything against the Muslim people but I know they have something against me, hence my defensive stance. I mean I am not a racist, its more about the Ideology, Islam and Islamism - the violent supremacists who keep 'misunderstanding' (or not) there religion on a daily basis, the stealthy methods that they are trying to implement sharia in the west and always claiming victim status whenever anyone criticizes it.

This also seems to have been the case for Libya, although some of the arms have now fallen into the hands of the people. Unfortunately arms exports are always guided by commercial interests and expediency rather than ethical considerations.

I just received an update this morning from my mother who is unfortunately stuck in Tripoli: she's braved armed vigilantes, gunfire, roadblocks, burning vehicles and looting. She reports that there seems to be a collapse of the security apparatus in Tripoli now. Flights out today have been cancelled and others are heavily overbooked (she had been due to leave this morning but will now have to wait another day or two) as those who can, flee. All internet and mobile lines are also down. The turmoil only seems to be spreading in the region - who knows where it will end.

If anyone had any doubts to the positive influence of western democratic values over Islam, watch this

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00rqfsv/Women_Weddings_War_and_Me/

Sven King you seem to be deluded in your thoughts, first all let me make it clear the journalist was sexually assaulted and yes it is a very horrible crime but she was not raped.. so lets get our facts right. And yes i agree sexual assault is a heinous crime and those people who carried out these acts need to be punished. But your stupid analysis of letting these group of few people who carried out these acts and representing them as the millions who marched for the revolution is a ridiculous. You are judging the whole egyptian revolution on the acts of a few criminals, for gods sake you sound really petty. Please tell me where in the Quran does it state you can rape women, give me the verse please before you make ridiculous claims. Seems to me, you being a British Jew, your real problem with the whole Egyptian revolution is the fact that democracy will take over, and the new government chosen by the people of Egypt just might decide not to have a close relationship with their israeli neighbors.

You speak about how British Muslims are always using the whole Palestine and Iraq issue as a smoke screen, maybe you should take your own advice... all muslims do not hate jews.

@Sven King: the question is " Should we supply arms to Bahrain?"

I agree with you re the need for people to have the vote.

But lets think about this on a broader scale. I'm married and have four young children. Now I reckon that 99.9% of the world's population wants a peaceful existence if only for the sake of their children, and their children's children. Do you have children? If so then you know what I mean.

If I said to you, "Hey I've got some heroin, let's sell it to kids and use our kids to push it."

I mean someone got to do it why not 'us' make a few readies doing it? I mean we'll be alright Jack. Eh? Eh? What do you say Sven?, lets push a few land mines oh sorry I meant heroin to our kids... they'll make us rich.

I am well aware of the world as I have travelled far and wide Sven King and there is one thing that the world needs the VERY VERY MOST and that is peace. And somebody has to stop making money manufacturing heroin , sorry armaments.

WHY SHOULDN'T IT BE GREAT BRITAIN?

ARE WE NOT GREAT?

SOMEONE HAS TO START.

SOMEONE

Its might be a pipe dream but its the only dream that we should have.

For democracy to work, Muslims have to rise above sectarian instincts. Sadly, I doubt the Islamic world is capable of achieving this. You are a good example of what I mean. http://www.plumbingprojects.net/

I think it ironic no one is talking about Iran and it's double-standards.

On the one hand it praises the protesters in Tunisia and Egypt and with the other, it attacks protesters in it's own heartland.

And just to up the ante, Iranians are planning to send two warships to the Suez Canal.

Thank you for shedding some light on this Mehdi. Bahrain is witnessing the beginning of it's worst chapter against the opposers of the violent regime. I hope the UK can now help rectify this by exerting pressure on our Saudi-controlled system.

@ Sven King

Were we only playing the part of a shop keeper? In effect we created the situation because a minority with bats and clubs cannot oppress a majority with bats and clubs for decades; we gave them the ability to enforce their will. Anyway someone taking a ‘we only gave them the gun’ approach to this doesn't have problems with anyone who supplies weapons to their enemies?

You mentioned that the woman was raped in public, ever heard of a psychological/social phenomenon known as diffusion of responsibility? Look it up you'll soon find that there are men and women who've been raped, abused and murdered in public with many bystanders as witness but no stopped to help; by the way it's happened here and in America as well.

Look I don't know what you have against humanity but it’s about time you realised you're a part of it just like every other person on this planet regardless of race, nationality, religion or ideology.

Actually I own sheep and help the butcher slaughter them.

The best thing about being British is that we are a caring, loving, honest people whose first instinct is to help people. Now how can we be true to ourselves if we make money from selling arms that kill and injure people?

I'm not suggesting that we all become pacifists but is it not possible for us to set an example to the rest of the world? We have already led the world through our industrial innovations into an era of great material wealth which has brought benefits far and wide.

Our greatness stems from our ability to innovate so why innovate in the realm of peace? Is this not the greatest thing that our nation can do?

Lets start by stopping all armament exports.

To innovate, to start something new.

The Third Kingdom
1. Thou shall not rape
2. Thou shall not kill .. self defence is excluded.
3. Thou shall not steal

Everyone in agreement so far?

Nice article Mehdi. I totally agree that shooting unarmed protesters is a disgusting and despicable crime, wherever it takes place.

But did you remember to call for arms to be stopped to Iraq's ruthless and sectarian Shiite rulers when Shiite death squads were murdering civilians in Baghdad in police uniforms? Sadly, I dont remember you objecting to arms being given to Iraq's police force or army to use against Sunnis for the past 7 years.

I also doubt you will write anything in support of the democratic protests by the brave Iranian people against the vile Mullahs in Iran.

For democracy to work, Muslims have to rise above sectarian instincts. Sadly, I doubt the Islamic world is capable of achieving this. You are a good example of what I mean.

Let's face it. You are deeply sectarian despite the best education in the world. And there are just as many Sunnis like you.

So Divided you Must fall...and the sooner the better.

@Sven King; You didn't eally answer my question?

On the one hand you say Britain should make arms and sell them for money. Yet those arms are going to a Muslim country which is a threat to Jews in Israel .. even in the UK. In effect you are supporting supplying Muslim people who could potentially use the arms against you and the Jewish people.

You are arming your perceived enemies for money.

Thank you UK government for arming the Bahraini government, there's no need to for the Foreign Office issue a press statement expressing 'concern' at the scale of state violence. We know whose side you're really on.
Nice one, Mehdi.

What news of Qatar? Are my world cup tickets going to be ok?

I personally agree with you, Mehdi. I would also, however, introduce an extensive list of other arms deals, legal and illegal, and the dictatorships of convenience that our country and other western powers are currently propping up for their own convenience, and say let's wipe that whole slate clean. That's not going to happen - I have that clear, don't get me wrong! - but we cannot deny that we are entirely inconsistent and the bottom line of actual practice in selling arms comes down to one thing: Does it suit our government and those we are allied with, or does it not? There is no moral compass. The very fact that we helped install Saddam Hussein and then, when he became inconvenient, aided his demise, is evidence of this - though lack of evidence there is not.

Let's not pretend we have a moral compass here. It comes down to power and money and making sure 'we're alright Jack'.

Oh and if Qatar does erupt and Mehdi does what he normally does and writes a critical piece on a Muslim country only after the population have rioted, will he be guilty of his own self-coined Qatarophobia?