Bahrain’s Al-Wefaq Renews Call for Peaceful Fight against Corrupt Al-Khalifah Regime

By Staff, Agencies

Marking the tenth anniversary of the popular Bahraini uprising against the ruling Al-Khalifah family, the country’s main opposition group has called for a vigorous commitment to the fight against the ruling monarchy.

In a statement on the occasion, the al-Wefaq National Islamic Society said the goals of the Bahraini people’s movement are derived from Islamic principles, framed by national standards, endorsed by universal values and ideals, stressed by the divine religions, and supported by all international laws and covenants.

“The adopted path by the Bahraini people in their peaceful movement is consistent with human values, reason and instinct,” the statement read.

It underlined the Bahraini people’s defiance against tyranny and the state’s machine of oppression and violence, saying their firm demand would not be weakened despite the costs imposed on them by the Manama regime.

The popular uprising in Bahrain began in mid-February 2011, with recurring protests throughout the years demanding that the ruling Al Khalifah family relinquish power.

In response, the regime has brutally suppressed dissent, and arrested, injured and killed thousands of people in the tiny Persian Gulf country. Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have also helped the Manama regime in its ruthless crackdown.

Meanwhile, the Bahraini people have avoided resorting to violence in response to the regime’s oppression.

“[The Bahraini] people, undeniably, possess a spirit of determination to continue the peaceful movement,” al-Wefaq noted. “This movement has never approved division, destruction or chaos.”

The movement further outlined the goals of the Bahraini movement as combating corruption, realizing their rights, reforming the country’s political system, remedying the status quo and resuming the relationship with the governance on the basis of justice, equity and political partnership.

“The people of Bahrain aspire to a political system, which embraces all citizens; defies oppression; adheres to justice; preserves wealth and freedom; combats all sorts of corruption, manipulation, recklessness, conspiracy, slavery, discord and sedition, and which fosters brotherhood, peace, stability, national sovereignty, citizens’ well-being and the homeland’s relief, progress, security, strength, work and joint construction,” it emphasized.

According to the movement, Bahrain is currently on the wrong path, as its entire legislations, measures and moves pose a threat to the homeland, its sovereignty and its wealth.

It also cited Manama’s normalization of ties with the Israeli regime as an example of the threat the Al Khalifah family poses to the country.

Bahrain was among the first Arab countries – only second to the UAE – that agreed to normalize its relations with Israel in recent months. Morocco and Sudan also agreed to the US-brokered deals in December and January respectively. The deals have been strongly condemned by the Islamic community across the world as a stab in the back of Palestinians.

The Bahrainis, al-Wefaq continued, well-perceive the results of betting on false addresses and wrong readings of history and geography.

“What the Bahrainis aspire for is victory, peace, goodness, and progress for every citizen,” the statement said.

“They also aspire that mutual understanding, dialogue and harmony are the key to communication and convergence between everyone instead of oppression and violence, because they are old archaic methods which have proven their failure.”

Bahraini people marked the occasion on Saturday night, when they took to the streets and chanted slogans against the Al-Khalifah regime and King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifah.

The demonstrators carried pictures of the uprising’s leaders and martyrs as well as placards vowing resistance until victory.