Bahrain: Bahrain May Appoint Jewish Woman As Envoy To U.S.
Source:
AHN Bahrain could be the first among several Persian Gulf states to appoint a Jewish woman as the country's ambassador to the United States.
Speculation in political circles here is rife that Shura (Consultative) Council member Houda Ezra Nonoo might be considered to the post.
Houda told AHN, "There is nothing official, but I have been informed that there are other contenders for the position."
The current ambassador to the U.S., Dr. Naser M. Y. Al Belooshi, was appointed in August 2005.
Bahrain is a member of the Gulf Cooperative Council, which also includes Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, United Arab Emirates and Oman.
Houda has served for more than 10 years as a lawmaker. She belongs to a Jewish family which is actively engaged and well integrated in business and financial activities in the kingdom.
In 2000, her relative Ibrahim Nonoo served as a member of the Shura Council, which presently includes a Christian and 10 women appointed by King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa.
About 40 Jews live in Bahrain. They have a synagogue and a cemetery in the capital Manama.
By: Sandeep Singh Grewal
26 April 2008
Source: AHN
