In the coming days Bahrain will witness the symptoms of an obvious divide within its communities, as has been the case during the past three years.
February 14 is known to be the National Action Charter Day, or the day where 98.4% of eligible voters voted for an amendment to the constitution in 2001 which gave people further rights and set the cornerstone for a democratic process in the Kingdom.
However, following 2011, 14 February was marked as the anniversary for political unrest, with attempted rallies and protests across many villages to commemorate the protest movement.
February 14 is certainly a day where we notice a great division within Bahrain with fireworks marking a celebration in many areas and Molotov cocktails in villages being thrown at policeman as part of various attempts to continue the war on the authorities.
During the past three years the overall environment in the Kingdom on that day was confusing. Following the failure of two Dialogues, political groups have agreed to join the Crown Prince’s recent initiative to restart the National Dialogue process. Each of the major groups is currently submitting their political vision, containing their aspirations for the Dialogue’s outcome.
The opposition societies, along with other loyalist groupings have agreed to join the Dialogue and have presented their vision for a serious dialogue to the Royal Court.
Many on both sides have resisted the idea of a Dialogue, due to the lack of confidence in the other side; but what many fail to understand is that the country will otherwise remain in a stalemate. The current state of affairs does not serve the future of Bahrain.
Due to the above obvious reasons, Bahrain requires confidence-building measures from all sides:
The opposition should clearly condemn violence and persuade their constituencies that dialogue is the best way out of the crisis. Both Sunni and Shia religious scholars should use their religious platforms positively; prevent hate speech; and promote the ideas of dialogue, reconciliation and solving problems through civil means.
The Government should avoid decisions that might escalate the current state of affairs and hence pave the way for bringing all sides together to the dialogue table.
Building confidence among different communities following three years of ongoing tension is a great challenge. But in order to have a successful Dialogue, all sides or figures who will be at the Dialogue table shaping our future should take the right measures for gaining the other side’s trust and showing utmost commitment to the Dialogue process.
To take such confidence-building steps is not a sign of weakness or backing-down; but a tangible commitment to work for the future of a united and flourishing Bahrain.