Posted on 02/14/2011 7:51:30 AM PST by SomeCallMeTim
Anti-government activists are reported to be planning to stage nationwide demonstrations against the ruling al-Khalifa family on 13 -14 February. The protests are reportedly referred to on social networking websites as ‘The 14 February Revolution in Bahrain', and organisers claim they are not associated with any pre-existing political group or movement.
The gatherings are likely to focus on government buildings in the capital Manama, such as the interior ministry in the west of the city. Other potential rally venues are Exhibition Road, the Ras Ruman mosque near the Diplomatic Area in the north of the city, the US Fifth Fleet headquarters in Juffair and the Bahrain Mall area. Outside Manama, demonstrations may be held on Sitra island, as well as in the mainly Shia towns and villages of Samaheej, Sanabis, Tubli, Sar, Sitra, Maameer, Malkiya and Karzakan. While tight security is likely to contain any disturbances during the rally, there is a credible risk of scuffles between participants and the security forces which could pose incidental risks to bystanders.
The calls for the 14 February protests come in the wake of a wave of popular protests in North Africa and the Middle East, inspired by the dramatic ousting of Tunisian president Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali on 14 January. Opposition activity has since been most significant in Egypt, with that country's president Hosni Mubarak currently facing major demonstrations and repeated calls for his immediate resignation. The organisers of the 14 February gatherings have reportedly juxtaposed the image of head of state King Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa with those of Ben Ali and Mubarak on promotional web pages, illustrating how opponents of the ruling regime have been emboldened to act by recent events abroad.
I just don't see them getting the boot, not in the foreseeable future. I know many talking heads have opined that the Saudi royal family is fearful of this democracy creep, but I don't think that they (the Family) are. Their grip on their people is much greater than in other Islamic countries, in no small part to the fact that fundamentalist Islam is much more widely practiced in Saudi.
I know it's difficult to believe, but in Iran, much like Egypt, there is a robust intellectual class, an educated class. That doesn't really exist in the same degree in Saudi. Without that element to coordinate and inspire and drive these kinds of protests, it's less likely that they'll happen - not impossible, but much less likely.
The only threat from uprising in Saudi, is from the bin Ladens of the country. But, I think the Kingdom is comfortably far enough to the right, that a Islamic revolution, just isn't likely.
Of course, when the oil runs out, everything changes.
Ping to you, conservativegramma. You might want to see this since your daughter and s-i-l are over there.
"Hey guys....I have it on good authority (have family living there working for the State Department) that this story has been sensationalized and blown way out of proportion.
The ‘thousands’ were actually 1500, 2,000 tops. And that was during the peak crowd time. As far as taking over the main square - didn’t happen. They (protestors) had actually applied for a PERMIT to hold a protest there and were granted the permit, so there was no take over. Naturally the media didn’t bother to report that tidbit.
There were a few attendees who caused trouble due to the death of the young man yesterday, but by and large those protestors were quickly silenced by anti-riot police, and the others who had been given the permit were allowed to gather peacefully and the police didn’t bother them. Those same police had even cordoned off traffic areas (like you see during a football game or race) so that the traffic could flow and everyone could get where they were going safely.
I’m being told the media is trying to foment violence among already volatile shiia in order to get a story. But so far our guys at the embassy are not alarmed nor is the 5th fleet. YET. We’ll see, but the actual events of this particular story is not completely accurate. Surprise, surprise."
I was a nervous wreck yesterday when I could not get in touch with my family. Today they have been in contact several times. Enough to know the media is not telling the whole story. I'm quickly realizing that our media cannot be trusted. So my advice is to IGNORE THE MEDIA on this one.
That's Saudi. That is not Bahrain. Bahrain is Saudi's playground. They go there to 'sin' in the luxury hotels and casinos with impunity. Allah will not judge them in Bahrain (so the saying goes anyway). And they like their little playground.
Islam is the dominant religion, but there is also a sizable contingent of Indians in the population with accompanying Hinduism. Christianity is also there. All the other religions are allowed to freely meet. No prosyltizing that I am aware of, but non-muslems can freely meet in their place of worship.
A woman can travel around Bahrain without a man present, and she does not even need a burka. It would be best if you did have a man present if you went into certain areas, like Diraz. But that is not the case in downtown Manama. You will see everything from western attire, to bahraini burkas (which are embroidered), to the complete saudi burka (total black). Trust me I know. I've been there.
Thanks for your thoughts on that OldDeckHand. I don’t see the King tossed soon either, but I’m not convinced anything gets better with a leadership that openly hates the U.S. and acts on it.
I did mean Saudi Arabia. Thanks for your thoughts. Hope you’re right when the time comes.
Works for me. I spent twenty-five years working with a former Iranian national. He was a good guy.
I don’t have a beef with most Iranians.
I have a big problem with the president that sold them down the river.
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