Bahrain may get Egyptian contagion

February 12, 2011

By Mojtaba Sadeghian

In the wake of the ongoing political turmoil in North Africa and the Middle East, which has so far toppled and shaken governments across the region from Tunisia and Egypt to Jordan and Yemen, it would be a big mistake to overlook the rumblings in a comparatively smaller country like Bahrain.

Some experts believe Bahrain is a politically tense country in the region where the likelihood of an uprising is higher.

The very mix of Bahrain's majority Shia population and a Sunni-led autocracy led to many analysts seeing it as one of the more vulnerable states if revolutionary contagion spreads through the region.

In fact, Bahrain is the only Arab country in the Persian Gulf region with an active opposition.

The political and social condition in every Arab country in the Persian Gulf region is different from other, but the sense of repression is much higher in Bahrain.

The demonstration scheduled for Monday, February 14, in Bahrain by the Shia-led al-Wefaq National Islamic Society is likely to gather momentum for a massive uprising against the Sunni royal family.

Shias in Bahrain have suffered discrimination and poverty and their basic rights are constantly being violated. During the reign of Al Khalifas, who are supported by Saudi Arabia and the United States, many Shia activists have been detained and tortured.

Despite a pledge by the government to do reforms the demonstration on Monday is intended to demand a release of political prisoners and seek an end to discrimination against the Shias.

Therefore the Saudis, who are regarded as the main sponsor of the Bahrain ruling family, are doing their best to dismantle the already political movements in the country.

To stem street protests the government has announced an increase in food subsidies and social welfare payments.

If the region's political chaos reaches Bahrain, it will lead to many changes in the island nation. Such a dramatic change not only will strengthen Shias in the region, it will also put the Saudis and the United States in an even greater limbo.

It seems that it is the right time that the majority Shias have a say in Bahrain and Monday can be a day of destiny and determination for all Bahrainis.

Source: Tehran Times.
Link: http://www.tehrantimes.com/index_View.asp?code=235615.