Holding A Country To Ransom

I am a believer in human rights, in freedom of expression and choice. If a person doesn't agree or think his rights are not being granted, then by all means let your voice be heard. But that is no excuse to almost push the country over the brink of civil war.

No one denies that errors have been made and that the country should work together to develop and grow, but for that purpose dialogue is key.

Kudos to the Crown Prince HRH Prince Salman Bin Hamad Al Khalifa for starting the dialogue initiative. Everyone should use this opportunity to make their voice heard and demands sorted. But another issue is that many at the Pearl are not sure for their demands. Different groups have different outlooks and hence different demands.

I have spoken to a few people belonging to the community which is protesting. One of their main grouse is that how the can the country celebrate when we are mourning? But it has to also be noted that the country is not aiming to celebrate by gathering at Al Fateh, but to showcase that they are united.

And fair enough, the complaint is completely valid. But in that case, what excuse do you have to bring Barney the dinosaur and Tweety bird and have fireworks at the place which is now called the martyr's square? What about the barber shop and the barbe wue and the pop corn and the sheesha's? How do you justify turning it into a celebration of sorts?

It is your right to ask that the dead be given respect, and mourning allowed. And believe me, a large number of Bahrainis who are not even part of the protesting community have condemned the deaths. They don't support the deaths, nor do they support people getting injured.

It is unfortunate that certain leaders are spreading hate. Why do you forget that hate begets hate and nothing good can come out of it?

In my opinion, the need of the hour is to streamline the though, come to a consensus and present their case to the Crown Prince at the dialogue. If it fails, then by all means protest, but give a chance a chance first. How else will you be able to know what could have been achieved?