Bahrain - The Way Forward..

The last month has taken its toll on the economy and politics of Bahrain, but I think the biggest victim in all that happened is the colossal rip in the fabric of Bahrain’s society. What are our options as we go forward, acceptance, forgiving and forgetting. Atleast that is the ideal solution, but saying it is so much easier than actually achieving it.

The wounds inflicted are very deep and it requires more than just time to heal, but heal it must. Bahrain is not a country just on one sect or the other, but for everyone living in Bahrain. This Kingdom has always been about multiculturalism, and that cannot be allowed to change.

In the beginning, I saw the younger generation, the youth of both sects being open to ideologies and suggestions from each other. As the days passed and violence and death toll increased, the change was palpable and unmistakable. It became a very ours vs. yours game. I’ve seen sensible people, who could logically analyze a situation or ide turn emotional, thus throwing rationality out the window. I’ve read enough about friends who now can’t see eye to eye for solely political reasons.

In schools, students who’ve studied together for years suddenly turned against each other because their political ideologies didn’t match. Wait a minute; there is something really wrong when its 14-15 years olds fighting with other each other based on politics.

Everywhere, people started looking at the person next to them wondering which side they were on, without realizing that no matter which side wins, Bahrain stands to lose. An old Bahraini man once told me, “If something happens to Bahrain, atleast you have the choice to go back to your home country. But what will we Bahrainis do?” and that I’ve realized is a question those in Bahrain who were aggressively rooting for either side didn’t think about.

Praise the Lord that the situation is getting stable and normalcy is returning. We are limping back to normalcy to be apt. Now don’t get me wrong. I don’t think having tanks on the street and the roads being completely empty at 10 pm in Bahrain is normal. Far from it. I do miss the times when my family and I used to leave City Center post 1 AM. Call me an optimist, but I do believe it will happen soon.

The reason people are saying that things are getting back to normal is because in the last month, people gathering at a roundabout had become normal, rallies every other day in support of unity was normal, mocking each other was normal, staying home from work and school was normal. Someone who had been to the Pearl around March 1 told me situation there was normal and I had to ask, “normal as in people all gone home, or normal as in everyone is there but no violence. That is how far Bahrain had become abnormal.

Now atleast people are having more hope, everyone is returning to office, children will start school. Those who had their exams postponed is writing it again, Central market is open, businesses are running again, this really is the closest to normal Bahrain has seen since March started. Yes there may be checkpoints, and shops may close early but we are heading towards

There are a few things that absolutely need to be done.It might seem so simple, yet very difficult to achieve.

Even if it is acceptable to believe that the “other side” is wrong, one shouldn’t everyone who believes that ideology is committing a crime. Be open to freedom of expression. Just because someone does not accept your opinion, does not mean they are wrong. Also neutrality is also an opinion. No one should be forced to take sides. I’ve seen my friends listed as hate mongers and the like, just ‘cuz they tried to have a balanced view.

Accept that it is just as much your country as every other Bahraini’s. No one has the right to say that people belonging to one sect can’t come to Riffa or Manama or anywhere else. It is wrong for civilian vigilantes to block a road or smash a car just because it belongs to a particular group.

My friend’s Shia boss, who did not take any sides during the last month, is considering leaving the country because he worries for his kid’s safety. Because his brother was harassed at a civilian checkpoint. This is unbelievably unfair. Just the same, it is unfair if it’s a Sunnii being targeted or an expat.

Respect and care for those around you and for yourself. Don’t boycott stores, don’t close down shops. Because this shows complete lack of respect. Remember that no matter what it took a lot of hard work and contributions from all sections of Bahrain’s society for any establishment to succeed.

It is also imperative for children to build trust in each other. Parents and teachers and other elders would work hard to instill in them values of brotherhood and unity. It is the need of the hour that they start believing that hate and violence will not solve anything.

For most parts, it has been leaders who have been turning opinions and people against each other. They need to go. Make your own choices, be your leader, but don’t decide based on emotions alone. Weigh each option based on what its benefits are to yourself, to your community and to your country at large. Educate yourself, as it is only education that can dispel darkness be it in your religious beliefs or what the leaders claim to be the truth.

Work hard. There just is no excuse for not returning to work, this country needs us. All of us, to put in our best, then only can we reap the benefits. Let me ask those who are striking from work, what happens when your salary is cut or even when you’re fired? How does help you, your community or your cause?

Unite. Haha, I don’t believe I’m saying this but we really need to start taking an effort to be nice to those around us. Keep in mind that everyone, even if they don’t agree with you, has been through tough times. Be sensitive, and let them be. Sometimes a hello or a smile or a handshake can go a very long way. And if you are totally pissed off, take a look at either of the UniteBH video or the Bahrain Unite video to remind yourselves what Bahrain is about.

Dialogue. And no I don’t mean just at the leaders’ level. Yes, accept the CP’s initiative and let there be national dialogue. But the youth needs to understand each other’s point of view, and why they felt the need for what happened.

Also understand that there need to be reforms. I am strongly pro-government but that does not make me turn a blind eye to what we need. Reforms and development is how we pave a path to a brighter future. But yeah, protesting alternately at Lulu and Al Fateh does not help one bit.

And BTV, please pull up your socks and make us want to watch you. We do not want to see ancient serials. We want to see current events or programs recorded in Bahrain. We know we have the talent why not utilize it?

Let time do its part. Every wound can heal with time and care. Be patient and have faith in yourself, your friends and family and in your country.

I remember the days when I didn’t know nor didn’t care whether if my Bahraini friends were Sunni or Shia. And I want to go back to that.

All said and done, I think many like me will never again complain of being bored in Bahrain. We’ve had enough excitement to last a lifetime. Now let’s work, together in rebuilding this nation, because it has the potential and capability to be right up there on top, or to be written off as one of those nations perpetually hit by civil war, poverty and strife. Choice, really is ours and ours alone.