It’s been a week since the mighty Hosni Mubarak relinquished his hold on Egypt and stepped down. A country that was suppressed by the government, while they (politicians grew rich) is still in celebration mood, seven days later. However, it was no surprise that a domino effect would take place, with Libya, Yemen, Iran, Jordan and the tiniest of all Middle Eastern countries, Bahrain have become the sites of massive protest.
Bahrain, which mean two seas is off the coast of Saudi Arabia and is mainly of sand and rock and at one point proposed as the appropriate place to call the Biblical Garden of Eden. The tiny island country only became independent in 1971 and was ruled by many powers from Assyrians, Babylonians, Greeks and Persians. The final ruling power came from the Arabs, in 1783 Ahmad ibn al-Khalifah took over, and the al-Khalifahs have remained in power to date.
His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa
His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa and Prime Minister
Khalifah ibn Sulman al-Khalifah
The country is divided between the minority Sunni Muslims (to which Bahrain’s elite belong too) and the majority of about 70 percent of the local population, the Shiite Muslims. The King, Hamad ibn Isa al-Khalifah has been in power since 1999 and his uncle, Khalifah ibn Sulman al-Khalifah, the Prime Minister has been in power since 1970, that’s 40 years.
The Bahrainis, like Egyptians are fed-up and want both the political regime and monarchy out. The Shiites claim to be discriminated against jobs, educations, housing and their political demands. This feud is nothing new to any Middle Eastern country, the Sunnis and Shiites have been at logger heads for centuries now, but in this tiny island, it is out numbered. The Shiites want several things, other than kicking the ruling party out. They want the release of political prisoners, a creation of a more representative parliament (meaning more Shiites in power), a constitution written by the people and the formation of a new, also more representative cabinet. Also on their agenda to get rid of, making foreign Sunnis, who are willing to come to Bahrain to serve a police officers or soldiers,citizens. The Shiite Bahrainis believe that the government is trying to increase the number of Sunnis to Shiites.
The Bahrainis, like Egyptians are fed-up and want both the political regime and monarchy out. The Shiites claim to be discriminated against jobs, educations, housing and their political demands. This feud is nothing new to any Middle Eastern country, the Sunnis and Shiites have been at logger heads for centuries now, but in this tiny island, it is out numbered. The Shiites want several things, other than kicking the ruling party out. They want the release of political prisoners, a creation of a more representative parliament (meaning more Shiites in power), a constitution written by the people and the formation of a new, also more representative cabinet. Also on their agenda to get rid of, making foreign Sunnis, who are willing to come to Bahrain to serve a police officers or soldiers,citizens. The Shiite Bahrainis believe that the government is trying to increase the number of Sunnis to Shiites.
However, as these demands are standard and these protestors seem to want to be treated equal—they way the demonstrations have unfold are somewhat heart breaking and disgusting. Unlike Egypt and Tunisia, that were peaceful revolutions, Bahrain is anything but that. Several have already died and buried, hundreds are injured and the military are forceful, shooting and killing with no remorse. It is only today that they have retreated-- somewhat, to allow the citizens to practice their rights. But what will become of Bahrain, Libya, Yemen, and Iran in the coming weeks? Will we see another political figure succumb to the voice of his people or will the violence growing into a civil war?
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