· March, 2011

Stories about Bahrain from March, 2011

Bahrain: A Friday of Rage Dispersed with Tear Gas

Protesters around Bahrain defied a gatherings law and turned out in masses for rallies around the kingdom dubbed as The Friday of Rage. Protesters were attacked by tear gas - and some say rubber bullets. Here's a round up of reactions from social networking sites.

25 March 2011

Arab World: The Arab Tyrant Manual

The Arab Tyrant Manual is out, and is being tweeted as I type. On Twitter, Iyad Elbaghdadi is repeating all the excuses we have heard from the governments of Arab countries which have had protests calling for regime change and reforms since the Tunisian uprising at the end of 2010. Although they sound like one liners from a comic strip, they still get support from people on the ground.

23 March 2011

Bahrain: Expats’ Part to Play

Like all GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) member states, Bahrain depends greatly on foreign workforce especially from South Asian countries in both high and low level jobs. According to the Bahrain 2010 census, the expat community makes a slight majority with 51 per cent of Bahrain's 1.2 million strong population. An Indian expatriate shares her thoughts in this post.

21 March 2011

Bahrain: A Video Timeline of Police Brutality

As international media focus shifts toward Libya and the rapidly unfolding events there, Bahrain government is unleashing a violent assault on pro-democracy protesters. Amid the media blackout, citizens are taking their cameras out and capturing the violence the state-run media is carefully concealing.

20 March 2011

Bahrain: Journalists Denied Entry at the Airport

Bahrain awoke to a violent crackdown by police on demonstrators camped out at the country's iconic Lulu (Pearl) roundabout on Wednesday. That afternoon, Omar Chatriwala boarded a flight from Doha, Qatar, to Bahrain, in part to see what was unfolding in the island nation he once called home. Hours later, he was deported - just like many reporters not allowed into the country to cover the unrest.

19 March 2011

Bahrain: Bloody Crackdowns on Villages

On Tuesday, before King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa announced a State of National Security giving powers to the army and other forces to secure the country, police carried out crackdowns across a number of villages in the central area in Bahrain.

16 March 2011

Bahrain: State of National Security Called

On Tuesday March 15, 2011, one month after protests started on the February 14 in Bahraini capital Manama, His Highness King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa announced a State of National Security, giving full power to the army to protect national security.

15 March 2011

Bahrain: Letter from a Blogger, as Saudi Troops Enter

Hundreds of troops from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates arrived in Bahrain on Monday to help the government quell protests. Television news is saying nothing about what will happen, and many fear the worst. Here is a letter from a Bahraini blogger.

14 March 2011

Bahrain: Hit and Run at Protest

During Monday afternoon's protest at the Bahrain Financial Harbour, a hit and run incident occurred in which three protesters were injured. On Twitter, the discussion continued well into the night on what happened, with different people suggesting various scenarios. Later at night, videos were circulated showing how the accident happened.

7 March 2011

Bahrain: The One Dinar Protest

Protesters in Bahrain are gathering outside the Bahrain Financial Harbour (BFH), waving one Bahraini dinar (US$ 2.6) notes and chanting for the overthrow of the government. The protest comes days after a purchase agreement which shows that Bahrain's Prime Minister bought the land the BFH was built on for one dinar was shown at a rally held in Pearl (Lulu) Roundabout, the epicentre of anti-government protests since February 14, 2011.

7 March 2011

Arab World: Bloggers Compete for Arabisk Competition

Arab bloggers are vying for the Best of the Arabic Blogs Awards, Arabisk, which is now in the judging phase of the competition. The top 20 nominations in four categories are being judged now, and the competition results will be announced at the beginning of April. Haifa Al Rasheed has more on the competition.

7 March 2011

Bahrain: When Geeks Protest

On Saturday a group of IT specialists held a anti government rally raising “geeky” signs and slogans. Tweep Jalal Al-Jazeeri @JTheIslander, an IT geek himself, was on location and tweeted these photos showing some of the most creative signs.

5 March 2011

Bahrain: Hamad Town Fight Sparks Rumours and Sectarianism

On Thursday night, a fight broke out in Hamad Town, southwest of Manama, between youths which later escalated to larger numbers with reports saying over 200 joined the fight using wood blocks, metal bars, knives and even swords. Here is how the incident played out on social media platforms.

4 March 2011

Bahrain: Schools Break Out in Protest (Videos)

A number of secondary (high) schools broke out into anti-government protests across Bahrain on Tuesday March 1. Both boys' and girls' schools in Isa Town, Hamad Town and Jidhafs marched out of their schools in the middle of the school day in support of protesters camping at Pearl (Lulu) Roundabout.

2 March 2011