The Kingdom of Bahrain, one of the smallest countries in the world, has always played an important role in world events. Bahrain has been an active actor on the world stage for thousands of years. It was the epicenter of the ancient Dilmun civilization and from time to time came under the influences of surrounding empires and dynasties.
Modern day Kingdom of Bahrain is spread over an area of 400 sq-miles with a population of around a million and a half. Its population comprises people from various faiths and ethnic backgrounds who have been living in peace and harmony. Like any other country, Bahrain also witnesses brief periods of unrest during the late 1940s, 1950s and 1960s but those disturbances were mainly caused due to unrest in different parts of the Arab world.
For examples, unrest in 1948 was caused in the aftermath of the recognition of Israel by the United Nations and the brief unrest in 1967 was the result of the Arab-Israeli war. Many Bahrainis had reservations over the presence of British troops on their soil. This resentment was not unique to Bahrain; similar feelings were felt all across the Arab world. Bahrainis, otherwise, are known for their tolerance toward different people and cultures. This perhaps best explains the presence of people from all across the world in Bahrain seeking a better life. At the beginning of the 20th century, Bahrain was the economic trade center. For centuries, this area has been famous for pearl diving. Merchants would come from as far as India.
The centuries-old pearl industry of Bahrain was adversely affected when artificial pearl making gained popularity with the advent of modern technology. Bahrain, however, was lucky when it struck oil in the early 1930s. With the discovery of oil, it once again became a trading hub. Due to its economic importance, it came under attack by the Italian Air Force during the WWII. Beating all odds, this tiny country continued to prosper. Bahrain was perhaps one of those countries in the region, which always had a very advanced infrastructure and best health care facilities. It would be unfair not to give the credit of good health care services to the missionaries who established local clinics and continued with their social work without harming the social or religious fabric of Bahrain.
After WWII and the start of the Cold War, Bahrain played an important role when the United States chose Bahrain to be the base for its Sixth Fleet. It is mainly a command and control center and shows the importance of Bahrain. People still remember the day when Bahrain was chosen to be the main point connecting the East with the West with the supersonic Concorde flights. Bahrain was the center of trade, the center for civil aviation and center for higher education in the region many years before other neighboring countries would catch up with modernization. And most important, Bahrain had the most advanced election system and a very open and democratic parliament.
The late Amir of Bahrain, Sheikh Eissa Al-Khalifa, introduced many social and economic reforms that propelled Bahrain on top of the list of developing countries. Nowadays, the Kingdom of Bahrain is governed as a constitutional monarchy and ruled by King Hamad bin Eissa Al-Khalifa, Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa and Sheikh Khalifa bin Salman Al-Khalifa as the prime minister.
The Kingdom of Bahrain saw one of its biggest economic booms in modern history. Manama skyline is full of high-rise buildings. Bahrain became a very attractive financial center, which drew many investors and tourists from all over the world. Thanks to the stability and prosperity, Bahrain became host to one of the most important and interesting sports, the Formula One. However, the so-called Arab Spring that hit the region also affected this quiet little island.
The government of Bahrain handled the situation very tactfully by introducing further reforms in almost all sectors. The Bahraini government and the royals did not refrain from holding a dialogue with the protesters. However, some unscrupulous elements took to the streets and resorted to the use of violent methods leaving the government with no choice but to move in to protect the lives and properties of the citizens. The rioters had gone to the extent of openly carrying Iranian flags and posters of Iranian leaders. Few days ago, two Bahrainis and one Emirati were killed in cold blood. All Bahrainis must know that their country had been an island of stability and prosperity and the opposition must know that violence will lead to no solution. Only negotiations can help resolve issues. In the past people around the world looked more beautiful wearing the necklace made of Bahraini pearls and these days the world wants to enjoy formula racing.
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