Formula 1 is the one largest international event that Bahrain have been hosting annually since 2004, except last year of course. Formula 1 kick started a new era in Bahrain, by forcing world map makers to use extra effort into making sure a small dot exists just between Qatar and Saudi, make an arrow pointing towards it, and then stating that this is Bahrain. Now, the whole world knows us, thinks about us, and does some research as well on who we are.
Year by year, Formula 1 in Bahrain began developing, with better entertainment inside the circuit, and outside as well. Families, school kids, and expats all began looking forward for the world class entertainment weekend, away from the day to day life routine. Not just them, but even to local businesses, Formula 1 weekend is like the bonus weekend where Hotels are fully booked, products are fully sold, and utilities are fully used. It is a financial blessing to Bahrain, it is a weekend full of smiles to all children and adults, it is a time-out to feel attached to the world we live in.
Lately, some oppositional figures have been trying almost every single trick in their books to prevent the above from happening. It reminds me of when I constantly forget to buy a new toothpaste. Every morning and night, I find this out when I see a sorry over-used toothpaste waiting for me in the bathroom. I can’t afford running to the market and back, so I just try to squeeze the heck out of every tiny bump in it, moving it to the top, hoping that enough comes out for one last use. So, what shows up is the case by a member of the pro-Iranian cult of 1981 who attempted an armed coup in Bahrain; Adbulhadi AlKhawaja’s self-forced hunger strike, and young man who was sadly shot and killed at midnight by a stranger.
Abdulhadi AlKhawaja is a notorious opposition figure who has spent almost all his life planning for an armed coup in Bahrain, in order to extend Iran’s influence in the region. He is an extremely dangerous man when free to plan and execute. Sometimes after the 1980s, when performing Jihad as a member of the Islamic Front for the Liberation of Bahrain, a shia paralegal cult supported by the Iranian Revolutionary Guards, Abdulhadi and others decided to use the Human Rights approach in order to bring a case supported by the West on Bahrain. Rightfully so, Bahrain only recently evolved since the 1970s, after the independence from Great Britain, into increasing transparency in the judicial system.
Now that Bahrain is well into applying international standards into arrests, and the treatment of those detained under the law, Abdulhadi’s sympathizers, who I am dumbfounded to know that they exist, shouldn’t have anything to worry about. But to those who know the history behind this notoriously dangerous man, we are all very glad that he is finally behind bars. If he decides not to eat, then it is his choice. But should we all pause for it? I don’t think we should at all.
What about the young man’s unfortunate death by a gun shot? I answer this question with a question. Does America stops hosting Formula 1 when someone is murdered in the streets of New York? What about England in the streets of London?
What other reasons do the opposition have in their books? Perhaps many, but which one is linked to a rational reason not to place a smile on a child’s face, or benefiting the private and public sectors from the services they would provide to guests? In yesterday’s rally, the opposition tailored some Formula 1 costumes and gave the marchers in them some plastic machine guns. This obviously says that by coming to Bahrain, you will be a reason for our blood to spill! Perhaps I’m missing something here, or is this a completely unfounded causational relationship?
When Bahrain was faced with a barrage of negative media reports last year, the opposition complained that the government does not want the world to know what is really happening inside our walls. Thus, by preventing journalists from entering the country, the opposition claims that the government can do whatever it wants without the knowledge of the world. Now that Bahrain is welcoming every single person to the island, the opposition are standing against it? What is the reason behind this drastic change in approach? If Bahrain’s leaders are at fault against its people, as you say, why not invite the world to see? Who is the one complaining that the world has forgotten us?
We obviously do know the reason behind this change in approach. The opposition do not want the world to see the daily violence that innocent citizens are facing from youths blocking the streets, throwing petrol bombs at standing policemen, and most importantly, the reality on ground.
To those who stand against Bahrain’s hosting of the Formula 1 race I say, I’m sorry about your sadness, but it is selfish to force everyone around you to be sad just because you are. Sports is sports, politics is politics, don’t mix the two, just like it can’t be dark, when it is sunny.
Dr. Saqer AlKhalifa 