The Wisperer

YOU don’t know me; I know you, of course - or at least I know what’s being said about you. I’m ‘the whisperer’. I am socially mobile: Arabic, Brit, Indian, Pakistani, US and the rest, they all invite me and share their world with me. I move comfortably through the corridors of power; I know the seedier sides of the souq; I mix with those in the know, at the smartest parties. I’m on everyone’s list’, you see. Not much gets past me but if you think it might have done, email me on:
gulfwhispers@gmail.com
 I’ll pass it all on so that everyone knows.

One track mind
Work on Bahrain’s new monorail system is due to begin soon, as reported in last week’s GulfWeekly, and I’ve been told by a source in the know, that it is due to run, at high speed, from the south of the island, via Zallaq, through Hamad Town, and on to Jidhafs and Manama, before looping back via Muharraq and the airport, Nabih Saleh, Sitra and Askar. Cynics suggest that once it’s in place, sometime in 2020, traffic flow will be eased by as much as five per cent at peak times.

Limits on fun
You may have heard that some of the hotels in Bahrain are being targeted in an attempt to “clean them up”? The Whisperer can report that during Ramadan there is likely to be no singing, dancing or alcohol permitted in any area which is near to schools, hospitals or mosques. It is thought that this will, in effect, apply to all hotels and clubs, as all of them are classed as ‘near’. It seems that the critical distance is yet to be decided, but talk of half a kilometre is common. Many expats will be away “travelling” during this time should the ban be introduced, the Whisperer has heard.
 
Game’s up
My inbox is divided following the tragic death of Pakistan cricket coach Bob Woolmer who died on Sunday in a Jamaican hospital at the age of 58 after he was found unconscious in his hotel room. He was regarded as one of the most innovative thinkers in the game but was expected to part company with Pakistan after the World Cup final on April 28 even before his team’s shock loss to Ireland on Saturday.
“It’s clear what happened,” writes Mohamed, a Pakistani cricket fan. “He disgraced the team and the country, and retribution was swift - this is our way.”
The word is certainly out, though ... whatever you do; don’t let the Pakistani cricket team down.