Sawsan al-Sha'er
Sawsan al-Sha'er | |
|---|---|
سوسن الشاعر | |
Sawsan al-Sha'ir talks to Bahrain TV, 9 May 2018 | |
| Born | July 15, 1956 |
| Nationality | Bahrain |
| Education | Bachelor of Arts |
| Alma mater | Beirut Arab University Department of History |
| Occupation(s) | journalist, TV presenter |
| Organization | Al Muntada |
| Known for | column and TV show كلمة أخيرة ("One Last Word") |
| Spouse | Ismail Akbari |
| Children | Bassam Al-Benhamed |
Sawsan al-Sha'er (Arabic: سوسن الشاعر; born July 12, 1956) is a journalist and author. She is a columnist with Al-Watan newspaper, having joined the staff there from the pro-government Al-Ayam.
al-Sha'er is known for her liberal opinions and has been a critic of religious "extremism". al-Sha'er has debated religious clerics and criticized their opinions. This has brought her into confrontation with Bahrain's Islamist politicians, such as Ali Salman and Adel Mouwda. She has accused those who back suicide bombers in Iraq of trying to "lead Bahrain to hell".
While a supporter of King Hamad's political liberalization, al-Sha'er has criticised the government for failing to meet its reform commitments and for the performance of individual ministers. On 26 February 2006, in Al-Watan, she criticized the Minister of Housing, Fahmi al-Jowder, for what she deemed his "ludicrous praise reminiscent of the Saddam Hussain coterie."