You’d be mistaken if you thought that Bahrainis are foreigners to demonstrations and making their wishes known.
Thanks to Reflections from Canada who dug out a couple of gems from the 40’s and 60’s!
A tradition of demonstrations
Mahmood's Den
An Arab man's attempt at bridging the cultural gap and trying to make a difference. Failing a lot. Succeeding once in a while.
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A tradition of demonstrations
Mahmood, do you have trade unions, and do folk come out on strike when negotiations on pay and conditions of employment break down?
I am not advocating industrial chaos here you understand. But it occurs to me that the right to strike is a very important benchmark indicating the committment of a society to the rights and dignity of each individual within it.
Even those of us who, like myself, are politically right wing, understand the value of strong, responsible trade unions as an integral and vital component of a compassionate civil society.
A tradition of demonstrations
Ooops!
Forgot to sign my trade unionism post.
It is I, Meggie Whetstone….
Re: A tradition of demonstrations
Hi Meggie, yes we do! Trade Unions are a recent phenomenon though so they haven’t (yet) threatended industrial action or a strike. Though I’m sure that’s coming!
A tradition of demonstrations
Bahrain has had a (relatively) long history of union activity, at least dating back to the early seventies. People tend to forget that Bahrain was very leftist and Nasserite in the 1950-1970s. Of course, the unions movement were disbanded after the oil surge of the 1970s, but there was a big movement for them! Ahh.. the good old days..
Re: A tradition of demonstrations
ah..Thanks Mahmood for the mention here also.
Regarding the question who the guy with the head uncovered might be. My guesses would be:
– A Bahraini of Persian decent. They tend to have lighter features and straighter hair.
– A British officer
– a western journalist, as mentioned
– or very possible also, just a good-looking young Bahraini demonstrator who decided to wear a suit that day:)
Cheers,
global soul – bahraini in Canada.
A tradition of demonstrations
Oh, so Bahrain’s rioting and thuggery by islamic fundamentalists calling for an islamic state dates as far back as that??
I know someone who wrote a book about history at that time. I’ll find out what this demonstration was about and get back.
A tradition of demonstrations
what thuggery and islamic fundamentalists? No one gave a rat’s ass about that stuff back then. It was more nationalist/socialist leaning. In fact, I know that strikes occured at least as far back as the 1930s.
Islamist leaning activity is a more recent phenomena in Bahrain. It started and developed since the 1980s and afterwards.
A tradition of demonstrations
Who do you suppose that fellow just to right of center with head uncovered might be? Some Western journalist, one imagines . . . Lowel Thomas, perhaps?
Sissy Willis
A tradition of demonstrations
They were all clean shaven too! When did Bahraini men start with the moustaches and the goatees?