Royal Hajri Media

[Hesperia]

[Accompanied by an upbeat television news tune, a computer generated turning globe appears, which ends up zooming in to Hajr, before panning out to the logo, a stylized golden silhouette of the Dome of the Rock, with calligraphy of the Uroduah word for "world," Al Alam, beneath it. The cameras show a studio with a glass designer desk being lit up in the spotlight, at which sits a young-looking woman in her early thirties, whose defining features are the slight tint of her skin, her coal-black, shoulder-length curls, draped in a knot over her shoulder, and her Northern-style women's suit and make-up, flaunting her femininity in a way slightly shocking to the average conservative Hajri.]

"Good evening, live from Sidra, Hajr, this is Al Alam. Bringing you the global news headlines, I'm Shahd Haddadi.

"Election date announced by the Government; Foreign Minister speaks out on Vangalan nuclear energy; Engellexic diplomatic style causes row in Hajr."

[A series of images accompanies the list: a government spokesman at an official press conference; Vangalan engineers and scientists working at an experimental nuclear reactor; a crowd of outraged demonstrators in the streets of a Hajri city.]

"The Hajri Government today announced the date on which the nation's first fully democratic elections will take place. At a government press conference convened in Al A'raf's Hadr Palace, the election date was set at April 19. Candidates for the election have been able to register since yesterday. A government spokesman, replying to questions about the intent of the opposition parties to reorganize, assured the assembled press that the requirement that candidates be independent of party lists will continue. He did not reply to any questions from reporters asking if the Government would suppress party activity."

[As Haddadi speaks, Al Alam broadcasts some footage from the press conference, showing the spokesman replying mechanically to questions from the press. It is clear that this is a strictly orchestrated meeting with little room for independent journalism.]

"The Hajri Minister Responsible for Foreign Affairs, Ali ibn Maktoum al-Ma'muni, today responded to the unfolding crisis in Cathay surrounding Vangalan plans to construct two nuclear plants, the first in the communist country. Minister al-Ma'muni defended the Vangalan right to peaceful nuclear energy, saying that the nations of the region should not foment conflict over the domestic affairs of a sovereign nation. The Minister's comments are contrary to those of multiple governments across the world, including those of Touzen, Serbovia, Kyiv, and Sinhai. The latter has made threatening moves toward Vangalan territory in response to the communist country's plans. Hajr and Vangala maintain cordial ties since His Majesty the Sultan paid a state visit to the country last year."

[Al-Ma'muni is shown, dressed in traditional Uroduah robes, saying that Vangala "has the sovereign right to the pursuit of nuclear energy." Grainy footage is broadcast of Vangalan nuclear scientists and engineers, probably working at an experimental reactor. This is followed by images shot from a Vangalan fighter jet of the interception of the Sinhese AWACS aircraft over Vangalan airspace.]

"In further news: the diplomatic service of the Northern nation of Engellex has a peculiar way of addressing other sovereign states. Systematically, other governments are addressed as 'Princes and Chiefs.' This has caused outrage in Hajr, a nation marked by its colonial past. A large majority in Hajr's national legislature, in both houses, has roundly condemned the Engellexic practice, recommending to the Council of Ministers that it issue a complaint to the government in Dulwich. The Lords and Councilors of the Sultanate called the Engellexic way of addressing 'condescending' and 'diplomatically unacceptable.' Publication of the issue in several national dailies sparked protests in Sidra, Marj Ayyun, and Al Quds, in which effigies of the Engellexic Queen Charlotte were burned. Police dispersed the protesters after some time."

[Footage is shown of an interview with a parliamentarian outside the legislative building in Al A'raf, who says "this noble nation is not some barbaric chiefdom, and Engellex must respect this." Then, a sizable mob is shown moving through central Sidra, Hajr's largest city and economic hub, chanting slogans and waving their fists. Some wave daggers. Many are dressed traditionally, marking them out as lower class. The image switches to show the mob burning flags and effigies of the Engellexic queen. A popular chant goes "The Uroduah will not be belittled!" The protesters are stopped before they can reach the Engellexic consulate.]

"That is all for the global headlines. Next is the weather with Uthman ibn Malik. For Al Alam, I'm Shahd Haddadi. Have a good day."

[The view of the studio pans out, and the channel switches to commercials. A slick ad showcases a program called "The Diaspora With Sulayman al-Tusi," with images flashing by of mosques in all shapes and sizes, immigrant neighborhoods, and the reporter with local community leaders. The announcer's deep voice speaks of a "troubled" Hajri diaspora, and promises that the program showcases the intolerance and discrimination Hajris abroad face, and makes a case against this "shadow-side of the democracies." Most footage seems to be of Northern countries. Al Alam then switches to glossy business and travel commercials offering investment opportunities and luxury resorts on the Levantine Gulf.]

 

[Great Engellex]

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DULWICH, SUNDAY, 27TH MARCH 2011
_____________________________________________

The Right Honourable The Secretary of State has received the Command of Her Engellexic Majesty The Queen to make known the following gracious Statement of Her Engellexic Majesty to the Princes, the Chiefs and the People of the Sultanate of Hajr.​

​

Extension of The Queen's Statement in Council.​

TO THE PRINCES AND CHIEFS OF THE SULTANATE OF HAJR​

It is to be expressed, upon instruction of Her Engellexic Majesty;

I should have liked to be able to claim acceptance of the concerns of Hajr for Her Engellexic Majesty, and Government, but I gladly admit that it is principally due to the lunacy of the vast Hajri public, whom have decided to withhold their support on this subject. Still, the Sultanate of Hajr owes a great debt of gratitude to the unswerving fair and forgiving character of the Queen of the Union of Great Engellex, especially toward Sidra, Marj Ayyun, and Al Quds, whom the Queen has decided to pardon for their misdeeds.

Ever since the great difficulties broke out with the Revolutionary National Republic of Trans-Nineveh our enemies have published exaggerated accounts of Engellexic demeanour. There has been some room for concern, but it has fallen very far short of their perception of Great Engellex with imperialist ambitions in Himyar.

Nonetheless, Her Engellexic Majesty’s Government remains to feel very comfortable toward the Sultanate, but we are disappointed with these protestations.

By the Grace of GOD, of the UNION of GREAT ENGELLEX, CHARLOTTE, the QUEEN, through the Right Honourable the SECRETARY of STATE, ANTHONY PELHAM-HOLLES​

​

 

[Serbovia]

Directorate of the State
United States of Greater Serbovia

Contrary to the implications presented by Minister al-Ma'muni and the Hajri media, the Union recognizes the right to peaceful nuclear power as a right of all sovereign states, and our worries are solely based on concerns of military nuclear proliferation. These concerns and recognitions were at the heart of His Excellency the Regent's decision to convene an International Nuclear Energy Conference in Karelingrad, and the Union looks forward to fruitful cooperation with the Sultanate of Hajr once that body convenes.

Additionally, we express our concerns over the aggressive behavior shown by the demonstrators in Sidra, though we are in recognition of their right to freedom of expression.

Regards,
Hon. Mr. Petar Nikolich,
Director of the State,
United States of Greater Serbovia

 

[Hesperia]

Diwan of Foreign Affairs

We are unsure at whom the Engellexic diplomatic message is aimed; the Lords and Councilors of the nation have made recommendations to the Royal Government, but no action has of yet been taken.

We take exception, however, to the accusation that our countrymen are affected by, and we quote, "lunacy." To our knowledge, a people has the right to voice its legitimate grievances. In this, the Secretary of State has forgone proper diplomatic decorum, and we remind the Engellexic Government of the prime importance of maintaining it, if it wishes to maintain amiable diplomatic relations.

Finally, we take no responsibility for the actions of the Government of our southern neighbors. Nor do the cities of our great people need the ministrations of a foreign queen.

 

[Hesperia]

Radio 1 Hajr – Headlines​

:!: Parties present on full candidate lists for election. As the campaign for next week's elections, Hajr's first to be fully democratic, goes into full swing, the government finally published the officially sanctioned list of candidates this past Friday. Several thousand candidates are competing for seats in the Shura Council. In a major surprise, a large amount of the candidates is affiliated to or even a member of the banned party organizations, collectively known as the “opposition.” This was revealed in an article in the weekend edition of the German-language paper Golfbeobachter. The ban, which was instituted by Sultan Ahmad in 1953, has not been lifted. The party presence in the election follows news of party rallies in the past weeks, as well as an open and public meeting of opposition leaders, last Wednesday. All of this feeds speculation that His Majesty may lift the ban on political parties very soon. However, the Government was not reachable for any comment on these matters today, but promised to make a statement in the near future.

:!: Foreign population much larger than previously thought. More than three million migrant foreigners are currently living in Hajr, an Interior Diwan report stated today. This is three times the amount which was previously thought to be living on the Sultanate's soil. The difference is largely attributable to different methods employed by researchers, including random searches, refined statistics, and help from police while visiting the dangerous slums of Sidra and Al Quds. The foreign population present in Hajr is also much more diverse than previously thought: in addition to over a million Vangalans, up to a million Keidans and more than 500,000 Dagombans are present in Hajr, in addition to other groups of strangers. A large proportion of these last two groups are not Muslims, being mostly Christians and unbelievers. In a statement, the Interior Ministry warned for the dangers and problems posed by the foreign presence, “such as unemployment, crime, and culture clashes.” The news follows a violent riot in Maaduh, a dangerous slum in Al Quds, last Friday following prayers. Muslims from a neighboring borough attacked Keidans, accusing them of trying to steal and convert their women. Forty of the Keidan strangers were arrested. Many of the foreigners are workers in the oil, gas, construction, and agricultural sectors.

:!: Ban on non-Muslims in Holy Shrines reaffirmed. His Majesty Sultan Huseyn, the Guardian of the Three Holy Mosques, was on a televised visit to Murqa, the holy city of the Kaaba today. He met with religious leaders, principally the Grand Mufti Sjeik Ubayd al-Kafri. In a joint statement to the press, the Sultan and the Mufti reaffirmed the ban on non-Muslims visiting the Three Holy Mosques, the three most sacred places of Islam, in Murqa, Muwaana, and Al Quds. This was done in response to reports that an increasing amount of foreigners, posing as tourists, were trespassing in the holiest places of the second religion of the world. The Grand Mufti commented, “we understand the curiosity of these foreigners, but we will not abandon the ancient principles of God's Inviolable House. Only Muslims may enter the sacred places. I advise any who cannot contain their curiosity to read the Noble Qur'an, and convert to Islam.” The Mufti also named the danger of infiltration by the Solaris cult, who pose as Christians. The issue of non-Muslim trespassing is most acute in Al Quds, where Christian and Jewish shrines co-exist next to the Holy al-Aqsa Mosque and the Dome of the Rock.

 

[Hesperia]

الوطن
THE NATION – Since 1952

Opposition Claims Victory in Historic Election
Controls Almost Half of Lower Council – Communists Also Represented – Sultan to React Soon​

AL A'RAF, Capital Region. With 90% of the votes counted in Hajr's first democratic elections, the candidates affiliated with the opposition have claimed victory. 73 out of the 150 seats in the Council of Consultation have gone to candidates associated with the four main opposition parties SDTP, SDP-L, IDP, and the Liberals. This is much more than expected, and represents a decimation of the former royal appointees, who held most of the seats won by opposition candidates. A further three seats went to candidates with reported Communist sympathies. The rest of the candidates are independents with no rumored affiliation to the banned opposition.

The result led to jubilation in the opposition camp. SDTP leader Ibn Kardal welcomed it by stating that “this vindicates our message in every way.” He promised that he would seek “cooperation” with the Government in order to achieve “constructive and progressive change for all Hajris.” Similar comments were made by Liberals chief, Sulayman Qattash. From Franken, the spiritual father of the IDP, Imam Amin al-Doraydi, praised the Hajri people for its “wise choice in sounding its democratic voice. Islam is not dead in Hajr.” A spokesperson for the communist SDP-L, affiliated with Hajr's neighbor Carentania, meanwhile, hoped that “this will encourage the regime to listen to its people's grievances.” The Communist Party did not release a statement, seeing as it is still engaged in a violent rebellion against the Royal Government.

The results were published this evening by the official committee established by Royal Decree to oversee the election. The Government, by word of Prince Saleem ibn `Abd ul-Hakim al-Taimur, the Interior Minister, has promised to respect the results. This is line with His Majesty Sultan Huseyn's decision to fully democratize the elections for the lower Council, which fulfilled a promise made by the Father of the Nation in 1992. The election was held in honor of the twentieth anniversary of the Sultan's accession to the throne.

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A man casts his vote in At Tufah, Gadesh Province

In the new Council of Consultation, with 73 of the seats occupied by the united opposition, and 3 additional ones occupied by suspected Communists, the balance has changed radically compared to before. In the previous session of the lower Council, from 2009 to 2011, less than half of the elected representatives had opposition sympathies. Half of that Council consisted of royal appointees, as well, who were decimated in the elections. Almost all lost their seats. This means that the opposition has effectively more than doubled its seats in the Council.

According to political analysts, this political landslide represents a cry from the Hajri people for change. “Clearly, the royal appointees were immensely unpopular,” al-Watan's chief political editor Mustafa Kudayri comments. “They mostly represented rural elites, and these have now been removed from the Consultation Council, replaced by opposition cadres who come from the more professional classes. This, and their political color, will mean a totally new wind will blow in the legislature.” Kudayri also noted that, with the toleration of party participation in the election by the Government, the ban on political parties is effectively gone. “The Sultan need not even bother with that anymore. His actions speak for him, and they indicate change.”

According to a Government spokesman, the Sultan will speak to the nation in the coming days. He assured this newspaper that His Majesty will seek “to incorporate the result of this election into his comprehensive program for the well-being of all of Hajr.” He also said that “His Majesty is most pleased with the outcome of his wise decision to bring more democracy to the nation.”

RESULTS OF THE HAJRI ELECTION OF APRIL 19, 2011
Independents – 74
Social-Democratic Toilers' Party (SDTP) – 30
Islamic Development Party (IDP) – 17
Social-Democratic Party—Left (SDP-L) – 16
Liberal Party of Hajr – 10
Communist Party of All Uroduah (CPAU) – 3