This post is part of our special coverage of Bahrain Protests 2011.
As the third day of protests in Bahrain continues this Wednesday 16 February, 2011, numerous voices have stepped up to show support for King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa and the Bahraini government.
Two support rallies have been organised over Facebook in both the old capital city of Muharraq [ar] and in Riffa [ar], south of the capital Manama. A third rally [ar] is planned for Friday February 18, 2011 after prayers outside the Al-Fateh mosque, Bahrain's largest, in Juffair just outside Manama.
On Twitter, a number of pro-government tweeps have been reminding the Twittersphere of some of the country's key achievements, and of services given to the people after the establishment of the National Charter in 2001.
@hussakhalid Do you know that Bahrain provides free K-12 Education for all citizens? #Bahrain #silentmajority
@hussakhalid Do you know that there are no income taxes in Bahrain? #Bahrain #silentmajority
@hussakhalid Do you know that #Bahrain provides free healthcare for all citizens? #Feb14 #silentmajority
@abdullamandi Do you know that #Bahrain gov pays unemployed citizens $530 a month for a period of six months and provides at least three job offers #Feb14
@abdullamandi Do you know that #Bahrain gov pays $400 per month to each citizen waiting for a subsidized home #Feb14
@abdullamandi Do you know #Bahrain gov.offers its citizens homes at extremely affordable and subsidized rates as low$40 per month #Feb14
At the same time, blogger Mohammed Al-Mastaki (@emoodz) who describes himself as “Not an activist, just a product of the Nido Generation [wealthy, westernised youths] in action!” has been tweeting some of the reasons why people are protesting at Lulu Roundabout:
@emoodz Why #Bahrain Protests: Government clamped down on local forums and blogs, initiated strict internet censorship #feb14
@emoodz Why #Bahrain Protests: A local blogger / internet forum admin is in custody being trailed for his opinions since September #feb14 (Prominent Bahraini blogger Ali Abdulemam)
@emoodz Why #Bahrain Protests: After losing its capital of $200 mil the BIC (Bahrain International Circuit) recorded a loss of $225 mil the following year.. it's still funded #feb14
@emoodz Why #Bahrain Protests: 10% of the oil revenue is not recorded in the national budget #feb14
@emoodz Why #Bahrain Protests: 30% of the national budget is being spent on the army and police, only 12% on health care and education #feb14
@emoodzWhy #Bahrain Protests: More than 20% of the entire workforce is paid less than 400 BD per month #feb14
@emoodzThe United Nations had declared a family income below 283 BD in #Bahrain is below the poverty line #feb14 http://bit.ly/gVq1QP
This post is part of our special coverage of Bahrain Protests 2011.