Al-Hammadi: “We have discussed this issue for four years without seeing any result… the saying that ‘the eye sees, but the hand is small’, is applicable to the administration of our fishing resources because its capabilities are weak”
Member of the Bahrain National Bloc
Member of Permanent Committee for Public Utilities and Environment
Member of Mumtalakat Investigation Committee (April 2015)
Member of Committee for Youth and Sports
Ibrahim al-Hammadi’s priorities lie chiefly with economic issues close to the hearts of local constituents, like developing local markets and supporting the Muharraq fishing industry.
One of Al-Hammadi’s most notable parliamentary interventions was during the 19 May 2015 debate on the fishing industry in which he spoke passionately about the need to support local fishermen.
Al-Hammadi has repeatedly spoken out about the need to develop traditional markets. In May 2015 he challenged the Minister of Works in Parliament about why more wasn’t being done to revive these markets. Al-Hammadi voted against the State Budget during the 2 July 2015 parliamentary session.
Al-Hammadi has been a vocal advocate for greater investment in youth and sports, particularly with a view to keeping young people productively occupied and constructively using their energies. He has spoken passionately and from personal experience about the need to provide support for those with special needs and disabilities.
Since the early days of the Parliament, it was being reported that Al-Hammadi may be joining a proposed parliamentary alliance called the Bahrain National Bloc. This was formalized in October 2015 at the beginning of the new parliamentary term.
ACTIVITY DURING 2015-2016 PARLIAMENT SEASON
Housing, services & infrastructure
Housing: The 27 Oct parliamentary session discussed and approved a motion put forward by a number of MPs calling for taking possession of old buildings and replacing them with new housing. Al-Hammadi asked how it was allowed to happen that there were homes falling down on their occupants and ruined houses used for prostitution and selling liquor. The Information Minister objected to implications by Al-Hammadi that the handling of these issues was swayed by the personal interests of officials. Al-Hammadi responded: “There is corruption. Why should we be quiet about this?”
On 16 Nov Al-Hammadi once again called on the authorities to urgently address the issue of homes that were on the point of collapse.
Municipal Gardens: Al-Hammadi on 2 Nov questioned the Municipalities Ministry about delays in implementing the Great Muharraq Garden project.
Events hall: During the 24 Nov parliamentary session, a proposal by Al-Jowder, Qaratah, Al-Hammadi, Bufarsan and Bumjaid, for establishing an events hall for women in Qalali, was withdrawn for further consultation, at the request of the Chairwoman of the Women and Children’s Committee, Al-Haiki.
Standards of living, health & education
Food standards: Al-Hammadi on 18 July voiced his support for the creation of a food standards authority, stressing that “food security is an absolute priority”. He noted examples of past shortages of basic goods and pointed out that there was no separate authority which could be held accountable on such issues.
Autism and Down syndrome: During the 3 Nov parliamentary session, MPs discussed a proposal for establishing a centre for children suffering from Autism. Al-Hammadi said that he had both a daughter and sister with Down syndrome and because of a lack of suitable facilities they had been incorporated into public schools. Al-Hammadi said that his daughter had been the subject of repeated insults and that the community treated Down syndrome sufferers “like beasts”. He asserted that there was a need for dedicated centres to incorporate children with such special needs.
Public Utilities Committee: Al-Hammadi on 16 Nov said that the Committee met to discuss amendments to sewerage laws; as well as a number of private bills.
Good governance & public finance
Government: Al-Hammadi on 22 Sep emphasized the importance of the proposed reduced-size Cabinet, for confronting Bahrain’s economic challenges.
Subsidies: Al-Hammadi on 22 Oct called for compensation for butchers affected by subsidy reforms. During the 27 Oct open parliamentary debate on subsidy reform, Al-Hammadi said that the public rejected the Government’s actions over subsidy reform. He said that the measures had been adopted without careful study “because many officials still have the mentality of ‘If you like it, fine. If you don’t like it, go bash your head against a wall’”.
During the 3 Nov parliamentary session, MPs voted to increase meat subsidy compensation to BD 10 to each Bahraini citizen. MPs also voted in support of compensating butchers and investigating the situation facing them. During the session Al-Hammadi called for a compromise solution between the Govt and Parliament positions which satisfied the public.
In the Bahrain TV show on the views of MPs following the 27 Oct parliamentary session, Al-Hammadi was quoted calling on the Govt to reverse its decision on meat subsidies, and stating that at least the public should be offered fair levels of compensation.
Policing & regional security
Unity: Al-Hammadi on 23 Aug called for unity with Bahrain’s leadership against “misled parties” and stressed that such groups shouldn’t be allowed to undermine Bahrain’s reputation. He praised the role of the Interior Ministry in ensuring security.
Terrorism: Al-Hammadi on 29 Aug strongly condemned the Al-Karranah bombing which killed one policeman. He blamed “foreign hands” for the attack.
Yemen: Al-Hammadi on 4 Sep extended his condolences over the deaths of 5 Bahraini soldiers and other GCC troops in Yemen. He emphasized that this sacrifice was a lesson to the region’s enemies.
Parliament role & constituent engagement
Affiliation: Al-Wasat newspaper on 4 Oct signaled that a new parliamentary bloc was likely to be established at the beginning of the new parliamentary term, consisting of MPs Al-Asoumi, Bu-Ali, Qaratah, Al-Bakri, Al-Maarifi, Al-Noaimi, Al-Hammadi, Bin-Huwail and Turki. However, reports circulating around the same time suggested that there would be two blocs, a National Bloc and an Accord Bloc. At the beginning of 2015 Al-Hammadi was reported as being one of the MPs who were part of a proposed new National Bloc. However, Al-Hammadi immediately came out and said that he had made no firm decision in this regard.
On 18 October the media reported the establishment of the Bahrain National Bloc, whose existence had been reported several months before, but effectively came into being for the negotiations around the elections for chairmanship of the committees. The bloc is to be headed by Abdulrahman Bumjaid. The bloc will reportedly include Mohammed al-Jowder, Ali Bufarsan, Ibrahim al-Hammadi and Ahmed Qaratah – all of whom were previously reported as being part of such a bloc – along with new additions Mohammed al-Ahmed and Mohammed al-Ammadi (Minbar).
Committees: Sources told Al-Watan newspaper (27 Oct) that Osama al-Khajah and Ibrahim al-Hammadi were competing for chairmanship of the Youth and Sports Committee. Al-Hammadi on 2 Nov told Al-Bilad newspaper that around five MPs are competing for membership of the Youth and Sports Committee. Reportedly, Al-Hammadi, Osama al-Khajah and Ghazi Al Rahmah are competing for the chairman role. Al-Hammadi cited his own experience as a sportsman in the past. During the 10 November vote on committee membership, Jalal al-Mahfoudh, Hamad al-Dossary, Ali Bufarsan, Ali al-Muqla and Ghazi Al Rahmah were approved unopposed as members of the Youth and Sports Committee. Neither Al-Hammadi nor Al-Khajah had their names put forward for membership of the Committee.
Private bills: During the 17 Nov MPs once again responded angrily to a new set of responses from the Government rejecting almost all of their proposals which had been submitted as private bills. Ibrahim al-Hammadi warned that failing to invest in youth facilities in a manner which stimulated their minds, was a threat to society, risking young people becoming involved in harmful and unproductive activities.
ACTIVITY DURING 2014-2015 PARLIAMENT SEASON
Housing, services & infrastructure
Markets: Al-Hammadi sent a formal question to the Minister of Works about plans for developing the Manama and Muharraq markets. The Minister of Works on 22 May responded to questions by Al-Hammadi regarding plans to renovate the Markets in Manama and Muharraq. During the 26 May parliamentary session Al-Hammadi criticized the lack of vision for developing these local markets. He noted that the markets had reduced in size, that traditional crafts had been abandoned and that there was a lack of strategy for encouraging visitors.
Housing: Al-Hammadi called on the Ministry of Social Development to provide flats in Muharraq as emergency housing for families whose homes had become unsafe. (20 April)
Standards of living, health & education
Meat subsidies: During the 2 June open parliamentary debate on planned subsidy cuts, Al-Hammadi said that the Govt’s unilateral decision on meat subsidies was a “flagrant example of non-cooperation of the Government and deputies”.
Economy & employment
Fishing: On 31 January Al-Hammadi praised the efforts of the Prime Minister in addressing the challenges facing local fishermen. On 14 March Al-Hammadi submitted a formal proposal to Parliament for improving the port facilities for fishermen on the Muharraq coast.
During the 19 May parliamentary debate on the fishing industry, Al-Hammadi spoke extensively. He criticized officials, saying “We have discussed this issue for four years without seeing any result… the saying that ‘the eye sees, but the hand is small’, is applicable to the administration of our fishing resources because its capabilities are weak”.
Al-Hammadi called for a new law regulating the fishing industry, particularly with regard to the issuing of permits. He cited numerous violations and abuses of the system.
Driving instructors: Al-Hammadi on 17 March put forward a private bill proposing that driving instructors be entitled to social insurance, because of the precarious nature of their income.
Tourism: Al-Hamadi on 4 May called for a “comprehensive plan” for developing family tourism in Bahrain “in accordance with the customs and traditions of Bahraini society”.
Good governance & public finance
Action Plan: On 2 February, Al-Hammadi said that deputies would approve the Government Action Plan if “the most prominent of our demands are addressed”.
Audit report: Al-Hammadi has called for deputies to act decisively to put an end to the abuses cited in the Financial Audit Bureau’s annual report (17 January)
Minister interrogation: During the 5 May parliamentary session an insufficient number of MPs voted in support of interrogating the Health Minister over issues raised in the Audit report (23 supported, below the 2/3 quota of 27 MPs).Al-Hammadi voted in favour of the interrogation.
National debt: On 27 March six MPs, including Al-Hammadi, issued a statement voicing concerns at rumours that the parliamentary decision to limit the debt ceiling would result in cutting services like housing benefit, inflation support and support for pensioners. They noted that the Prime Minister had committed himself to increasing standards of living and the Government had committed itself to the pledges of the 2015-18 Action Plan. They noted that Parliament’s judgment on the National Debt was in line with the National Bank’s recommendations that borrowing shouldn’t exceed 60% of GDP.
Budget: Al-Hammadi on 12 April criticized the delay in delivering the annual budget to Parliament as “unjustified”. He stressed the need to preserve benefits which had been promised to citizens in this budget.
Municipal Councils: Ibrahim al-Hammadi, Ali al-Muqla, Muhsin al-Bakri and Mohammed al-Jowder put forward a draft bill on 20 April for improving the work benefits for members of the municipal councils.
Policing & regional security
Yemen crisis: During the 31 March parliamentary debate Al-Hammadi said that intervention in Yemen should have come earlier against these “trifling parties that threaten the Arab states”.
Rights & freedoms
Women’s rights: Al-Hammadi was one of a clique of MPs who advocated an allowance for women who refrained from working. Their controversial and much-criticized proposal asserted that they should encourage women to remain in the home”.
Media: On 9 February Al-Hammadi called for parliamentary sessions to be aired live on national TV.
Youth, culture & sport
Sport: Al-Hammadi was one of 10 MPs who on 16 March proposed an open parliamentary debate with the relevant minister to discuss what the Government was doing to promote Bahraini sport and athletes.
Jalal al-Mahfoudh, Nasser al-Qaseer, Khalid al-Shaer, Osama al-Khajah and Ibrahim al-Hammadi on 23 May proposed that a tax on tobacco be used to fund sports clubs. They noted that the proposal came following consultation with a number of sporting bodies.
Youth & sport: Al-Hammadi on 18 April stressed that “visions” and recommendations from the recent parliamentary debates on the youth, sport and fishing had to be taken up by the Government and turned into a reality.
During the 12 May parliamentary session around 15 proposals previously submitted by MPs were approved in a series of votes. These included setting up a youth centre in Al-Hammadi’s 2nd Muharraq district.
Youth: During the 23 June parliamentary session MPs discussed the Govt’s approach for keeping young people occupied during the holiday period. Al-Hammadi said that he hoped the authorities would restore programmes for making use of the energies of young people during the break.
Parliament role & constituent engagement
Affiliation: Al-Hammadi was reported to be part of the five-member National Bahrain Bloc in the Parliament (14 February). However, the following day Al-Hammadi issued a statement denying that he had taken a decision to join any bloc.
Effectiveness rating
- Standards of living, health & education – 5
- Housing & services – 5
- Policing & regional security – 4
- Good governance & public finance – 5
- Economy & employment – 7
- Supporting constituents & youth – 6
- Rights & freedoms – 3
- Constructive Parliament role – 4
- Public visibility – 3
- Progressive/reformist credentials – 4
Results of 2014 elections – 2nd Muharraq
Areas covered: Muharraq central
Housing blocks: 203, 205, 206, 209, 221, 222
Registered voters: 7,563; Percentage 1st round voter turnout: 79.5%
First round vote:
Ibrahim al-Hammadi – 1761 (30.3%); Abdulmunim al-Eid – 1550 (26.6%); Wahid al-Dossary – 1251 (21.5%); Salim Rajab (NUG) – 524 (9.0%); Mohammed al-Buainain – 357; Abdulrahman Bin-Zaiman – 195; Ahmed al-Jowder – 127; Khalid Bu-Jiri – 54
Second round vote:
Ibrahim al-Hammadi – 2761 (51.4%)
Abdulmunim al-Eid – 2610 (48.6%)
Profile of election campaign: Ibrahim Jumah Ali Mohammed al-Hammadi
In this highly-competitive constituency Ibrahim al-Hammadi and Abdulmunim al-Eid made it through to the second round against some respected candidates. Al-Hammadi’s campaign focused on building local grassroots support and received little national media coverage. Al-Eid was the first to open his campaign tent and he fought a vigourous campaign, only coming around 150 votes behind Al-Hammadi in the second round.
Constituency demographic
This constituency lies in the densely-populated central town of Muharraq and in geographical size is one of the smallest constituencies in Bahrain. This area has tended to favour Sunni Islamist candidates.
Media surveys of voters (Al-Watan) have found voter priorities in this constituency to include housing, living standards, education and improving public infrastructure. The 80% first round turnout would be considered remarkable, if it hadn’t been exceeded in many other Muharraq districts.
Know your deputy: MPs profiles
Adel al-Asoumi – 1st Capital
Chairman of Permanent Committee for Public Utilities and Environment
Ahmed Qaratah – 2nd Capital
Adel Bin-Hamid Abdulhussain – 3rd Capital
Abdulrahman Bumjaid – 4th Capital
Nasser al-Qaseer – 5th Capital
Chairman of Parliamentary Human Rights Committee
Ali al-Atish – 6th Capital
Chairman of the Permanent Committee for Shari’ah and Legal Matters
Osamah al-Khajah – 7th Capital
Shaikh Majid al-Asfour – 8th Capital
Mohammed Jaffar Milad – 9th Capital
Nabil al-Balooshi – 10th Capital
Ali Bufarsan – 1st Muharraq
Ibrahim al-Hammadi – 2nd Muharraq
Jamal Buhassan – 3rd Muharraq
Isa al-Kooheji – 4th Muharraq
Mohammed al-Jowder – 5th Muharraq
Chairman of the Permanent Committee for Foreign, Defence and National Security Affairs
Deputy-Chairman of Parliamentary Human Rights Committee
Abbas al-Madhi – 6th Muharraq
Ali al-Muqla – 7th Muharraq
Abdulrahman Bu-Ali – 8th Muharraq
Chairman of the Permanent Committee for Financial and Economic Matters
Fatimah al-Asfour – 1st Northern
Deputy Chairwoman of the Committee for Women and Children
Jalal Kadhim al-Mahfoudh – 2nd Northern
Deputy Chairman of the Permanent Committee for Financial and Economic Matters
Hamad al-Dossary – 3rd Northern
Deputy Chairman of Committee for Youth and Sports
Ghazi Al Rahmah – 4th Northern
Chairman of Committee for Youth and Sports
Ali al-Aradi – 5th Northern
Deputy Chairman of Parliament
Rua al-Haiki – 6th Northern
Chairwoman of the Committee for Women and Children
Shaikh Majid al-Majid – 7th Northern
Dr. Isa Turki – 8th Northern
Abdulhamid Abdulhussain al-Najjar – 9th Northern
Mohammed al-Ammadi – 10th Northern
Chairman of Committee for Supporting the Palestinian People
Jamal Dawoud – 11th Northern
Jamila al-Sammak – 12th Northern
Khalid al-Shaer – 1st Southern
Mohammed al-Ahmed – 2nd Southern
Abdulhalim Murad – 3rd Southern
Second Deputy Chairman of Parliament
Mohammed al-Maarifi – 4th Southern
Deputy Chairman of the Permanent Committee for Services
Khalifa al-Ghanim – 5th Southern
Anas Buhindi – 6th Southern
Deputy Chairman of the Permanent Committee for Shari’ah and Legal Matters
Abdullah Bin-Huwail – 7th Southern
Chairman of the Permanent Committee for Foreign, Defence and National Security Affairs
Dhiyab al-Noaimi – 8th Southern
Mohsin al-Bakri – 9th Southern
Deputy Chairman of Permanent Committee for Public Utilities and Environment
Ahmed al-Mulla – 10th Southern
Chairman of Parliament
ACTIVITY DURING 2015-2016 PARLIAMENT SEASON
Housing, services & infrastructure
Housing: The 27 Oct parliamentary session discussed and approved a motion put forward by a number of MPs calling for taking possession of old buildings and replacing them with new housing. Al-Hammadi asked how it was allowed to happen that there were homes falling down on their occupants and ruined houses used for prostitution and selling liquor. The Information Minister objected to implications by Al-Hammadi that the handling of these issues was swayed by the personal interests of officials. Al-Hammadi responded: “There is corruption. Why should we be quiet about this?”
On 16 Nov Al-Hammadi once again called on the authorities to urgently address the issue of homes that were on the point of collapse.
Municipal Gardens: Al-Hammadi on 2 Nov questioned the Municipalities Ministry about delays in implementing the Great Muharraq Garden project.
Events hall: During the 24 Nov parliamentary session, a proposal by Al-Jowder, Qaratah, Al-Hammadi, Bufarsan and Bumjaid, for establishing an events hall for women in Qalali, was withdrawn for further consultation, at the request of the Chairwoman of the Women and Children’s Committee, Al-Haiki.
Standards of living, health & education
Food standards: Al-Hammadi on 18 July voiced his support for the creation of a food standards authority, stressing that “food security is an absolute priority”. He noted examples of past shortages of basic goods and pointed out that there was no separate authority which could be held accountable on such issues.
Autism and Down syndrome: During the 3 Nov parliamentary session, MPs discussed a proposal for establishing a centre for children suffering from Autism. Al-Hammadi said that he had both a daughter and sister with Down syndrome and because of a lack of suitable facilities they had been incorporated into public schools. Al-Hammadi said that his daughter had been the subject of repeated insults and that the community treated Down syndrome sufferers “like beasts”. He asserted that there was a need for dedicated centres to incorporate children with such special needs.
Public Utilities Committee: Al-Hammadi on 16 Nov said that the Committee met to discuss amendments to sewerage laws; as well as a number of private bills.
Economy & employment
Good governance & public finance
Government: Al-Hammadi on 22 Sep emphasized the importance of the proposed reduced-size Cabinet, for confronting Bahrain’s economic challenges.
Subsidies: Al-Hammadi on 22 Oct called for compensation for butchers affected by subsidy reforms. During the 27 Oct open parliamentary debate on subsidy reform, Al-Hammadi said that the public rejected the Government’s actions over subsidy reform. He said that the measures had been adopted without careful study “because many officials still have the mentality of ‘If you like it, fine. If you don’t like it, go bash your head against a wall’”.
During the 3 Nov parliamentary session, MPs voted to increase meat subsidy compensation to BD 10 to each Bahraini citizen. MPs also voted in support of compensating butchers and investigating the situation facing them. During the session Al-Hammadi called for a compromise solution between the Govt and Parliament positions which satisfied the public.
In the Bahrain TV show on the views of MPs following the 27 Oct parliamentary session, Al-Hammadi was quoted calling on the Govt to reverse its decision on meat subsidies, and stating that at least the public should be offered fair levels of compensation.
Policing & regional security
Unity: Al-Hammadi on 23 Aug called for unity with Bahrain’s leadership against “misled parties” and stressed that such groups shouldn’t be allowed to undermine Bahrain’s reputation. He praised the role of the Interior Ministry in ensuring security.
Terrorism: Al-Hammadi on 29 Aug strongly condemned the Al-Karranah bombing which killed one policeman. He blamed “foreign hands” for the attack.
Yemen: Al-Hammadi on 4 Sep extended his condolences over the deaths of 5 Bahraini soldiers and other GCC troops in Yemen. He emphasized that this sacrifice was a lesson to the region’s enemies.
Rights & freedoms
Youth, culture & sport
Parliament role & constituent engagement
Affiliation: Al-Wasat newspaper on 4 Oct signaled that a new parliamentary bloc was likely to be established at the beginning of the new parliamentary term, consisting of MPs Al-Asoumi, Bu-Ali, Qaratah, Al-Bakri, Al-Maarifi, Al-Noaimi, Al-Hammadi, Bin-Huwail and Turki. However, reports circulating around the same time suggested that there would be two blocs, a National Bloc and an Accord Bloc. At the beginning of 2015 Al-Hammadi was reported as being one of the MPs who were part of a proposed new National Bloc. However, Al-Hammadi immediately came out and said that he had made no firm decision in this regard.
On 18 October the media reported the establishment of the Bahrain National Bloc, whose existence had been reported several months before, but effectively came into being for the negotiations around the elections for chairmanship of the committees. The bloc is to be headed by Abdulrahman Bumjaid. The bloc will reportedly include Mohammed al-Jowder, Ali Bufarsan, Ibrahim al-Hammadi and Ahmed Qaratah – all of whom were previously reported as being part of such a bloc – along with new additions Mohammed al-Ahmed and Mohammed al-Ammadi (Minbar).
Committees: Sources told Al-Watan newspaper (27 Oct) that Osama al-Khajah and Ibrahim al-Hammadi were competing for chairmanship of the Youth and Sports Committee. Al-Hammadi on 2 Nov told Al-Bilad newspaper that around five MPs are competing for membership of the Youth and Sports Committee. Reportedly, Al-Hammadi, Osama al-Khajah and Ghazi Al Rahmah are competing for the chairman role. Al-Hammadi cited his own experience as a sportsman in the past. During the 10 November vote on committee membership, Jalal al-Mahfoudh, Hamad al-Dossary, Ali Bufarsan, Ali al-Muqla and Ghazi Al Rahmah were approved unopposed as members of the Youth and Sports Committee. Neither Al-Hammadi nor Al-Khajah had their names put forward for membership of the Committee.
Private bills: During the 17 Nov MPs once again responded angrily to a new set of responses from the Government rejecting almost all of their proposals which had been submitted as private bills. Ibrahim al-Hammadi warned that failing to invest in youth facilities in a manner which stimulated their minds, was a threat to society, risking young people becoming involved in harmful and unproductive activities.