Manama Nov.30th, 2004: Bahrain International Circuit is proud to announce more details on the launch of the BMW WilliamsF1 Team in early January.

The Anglo-German team will present its new driver line-up as well as its new livery for the 2005 FIA F1 World Championship at the Bahrain International Circuit, the home of Formula One in the Middle East region on January 6 and 7, 2005

The Bahrain International Circuit at Sakhir is the most technologically-advanced race track in the world and it is fitting that the BMW WilliamsF1 Team, one of Formula One’s leading teams, has chosen this venue to inaugurate its 2005 Season.

Manama Nov. 30th, 2004: The Bahrain International Circuit is now crowned with glory. What was missing is now available in abundance to help the circuit realize the true status of its slogan, “Home of Motorsport in the Middle East”. Hosting a round of the Formula One championship did not gratify the passion of all motorsport fans. World class technology alone is not enough, and single-seater open-wheel racing cars are bound to leave certain vacancy in the hearts of motor sport enthusiasts. These are cars built for the sole purpose of racing. Regrettably, no one can enjoy them on the road, a fact that is certain to deprive some people the pleasure of associating their character and emotions with these relentless track warriors.

What was missing is a race among the glorious super cars we see and drive on the road. What was missing is GT racing, the ultimate form of sportscar racing driven by magnificent automotive heritage in its soul. That was the rationale behind the Bahrain GT Festival.

A few days ago, some 60 students went on a march at the university to demonstrate their complete refusal of MP Jassim Al-Saidi’s nonbinding law request to segregate the university but at the same time, the student were demonstrating at the lackluster application of the university authorities of the “decent dress code”.

Yesterday, some 300 students went on a march again at the university to demonstrate against Al-Saidi’s segregationist policies at the university, but also against anyone imposing any kind of dress code on them, be that the university authorities or members of the student council, stating – rightly to my mind – that what is “normal” dress to some people, might be completely abnormal to others, hence it is difficult to quantify and qualify what “decent” dress is, hence, it should be left up to the individual to decide what he/she wants to wear without prejudice or interference from others.

This is an excellent step, this is democracy at work. I might not agree personally with one group or the other, but it is really excellent to see that there are differing views in an extremely important institution. This is healthy and bodes well for the future of Bahrain democracy.

If the numbers are anything to go by, it looks like the university enjoys a ratio of 5:1 of liberals to islamists, this is another excellent thing for the future of Bahrain as well!

About 300 Bahrain University students yesterday held a rally against calls for dress restrictions on campus.

The students were also protesting against a proposal by MP Jassim Al Saeedi on segregation at the university.

The rally, led by members of the Student Council and university clubs, started at the Sakhir campus from the Business College building to the Administration Building.

Council member Amal Fareed said the proposal on segregation was against the principles of human rights.

what is really happening to the country I came from,first it becomes a Kingdom and then the wahabis win a majority of the seats in parliament.

are we going back to the middle ages?

what has happend to the most liberal nation in the Arab world? I cant stop wondering what is happening next? chop-chop or are they going to impose a dress code law.

I dont know why the people of Bahrain voted for these fanatics in the first place, this just shows how naive the people are.

I am happy that I left before it was too late.