I believe it has the potential at least to get ugly. and that certainly puts the grand prix in doubt doesnt it?
Edited by finignig, 11 February 2011 - 14:29.
Posted 11 February 2011 - 14:29
Edited by finignig, 11 February 2011 - 14:29.
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Posted 11 February 2011 - 14:38
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Posted 11 February 2011 - 14:58
Posted 11 February 2011 - 15:00
I don't think the situation in Bahrain will escalate like it did in Tunesia and Egypt. Bahrain is a very wealthy country and most people are fine with how things are going, so even if there are demonstration I don't think they will be massive. On the other side, Bahrain is not like Tunisia or Egypt, we are talking about a constitutional monarchy here, which are normally pretty stable. The king has already done a lot of reformations, we will have to wait and see if that's enough.. Last but not least, I don't think protest will disturb the Grandprix or testing, if F1 does decide to cancel , it will be more of a political decision.
Posted 11 February 2011 - 15:02
Posted 11 February 2011 - 15:02
As an western expat that has been here (live in Bahrain, work in Saudi Arabia) for over a year, I can give you my perspective. It's an over simplfication but I think I am pretty close.
Bahrain has a significant Shia population (~65%) but the ruling class are Sunni. The Shia have been protesting that the Sunnis get everything and they get little or nothing. A large number of those protesters (100+) have been arrested and will soon stand trial for terrorism.
While the Shia youth like to set fire to old tires and block some roads, most of the protests are very tame. Lots of people, a handful of signs, a guy with a bullhorn, etc. Frankly the Bahrainis are generally very nice people so they really don't make much trouble.
They already held a rally in support of the uprising in Eygpt, a couple of hundred people a couple of blocks away from the embassy. No rocks were thrown, everybody went home safe.
I am sure that the traffic in the effected area on 14 February will really suck but beyond that you won't really know it happened a coiuple of hous after its over.
Now sure, I could be wrong ( I hope not because the little people get hurt the most when these things go bad), but there is no indication that this will be any different that all the other protests.
As for the GP, it will go on as scheduled.
Posted 11 February 2011 - 15:20
Thanks Mark. Going by what you said it shouldn't be a huge problem getting F1 going as planned. Odd choice of day though, Valentine's day.
Posted 11 February 2011 - 15:30
And even in the western culture it has different conceptions.Valentine's day is a western concept.
Posted 11 February 2011 - 15:53
Posted 11 February 2011 - 15:59
Religion bollocks then.
Posted 11 February 2011 - 16:13
It's a bit like pancake day, but instead of pancakes it's FFFFFFUUUUUUUUUUUUUU
Posted 11 February 2011 - 16:28
Posted 11 February 2011 - 16:29
we should all embrace this day of protest
if not only for the minuscule chance that change forces the GP out of their country
Posted 11 February 2011 - 16:47
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Posted 11 February 2011 - 16:49
Posted 11 February 2011 - 16:55
uncool it’s the only event i look forward to here
Posted 11 February 2011 - 16:59
Aww
Well it's good to know there is at least one F1 fan in Bahrain, just a shame there's not more and your country's rather uninspiring. I haven't heard much about problems in Bahrain so keep us posted if it turns serious.
Posted 11 February 2011 - 17:18
It's funny you mention it, I've got a good friend who works as a logistics consultant out there, and we've always planned to go to a Middle-Eastern Grand Prix if it proves possible. So who knows, I would like to and I very well mightCome for a visit sometime , its quite a place to visit, very liberal(compared to the rest of em ), a multi-race society and a very chill out fun place to be.
Posted 11 February 2011 - 18:51
I don't think the situation in Bahrain will escalate like it did in Tunesia and Egypt. Bahrain is a very wealthy country and most people are fine with how things are going, so even if there are demonstration I don't think they will be massive. On the other side, Bahrain is not like Tunisia or Egypt, we are talking about a constitutional monarchy here, which are normally pretty stable. The king has already done a lot of reformations, we will have to wait and see if that's enough.. Last but not least, I don't think protest will disturb the Grandprix or testing, if F1 does decide to cancel , it will be more of a political decision.
Posted 11 February 2011 - 19:09
Are you a native from Bahrain? Because when I hear that Bahrain is very liberal I'm smiling you know... and I'm thinking that you have never visited an European country. Liberal in which sense? Maybe you want to say more liberal than most Muslim countries, because really I don't understand...Come for a visit sometime , its quite a place to visit, very liberal(compared to the rest of em ), a multi-race society and a very chill out fun place to be.
Posted 11 February 2011 - 23:54
Are you a native from Bahrain? Because when I hear that Bahrain is very liberal I'm smiling you know... and I'm thinking that you have never visited an European country. Liberal in which sense? Maybe you want to say more liberal than most Muslim countries, because really I don't understand...
Posted 12 February 2011 - 00:29
Yes I am, born and raised , british schooling though lol. And I did mention “relative to the rest of them”.
Compared to our close neighbors we are considered pretty Liberal;
- Freedom of religion, we have churches and temples and all that
- dress the way you want (sad to even mention, but thats not the case in neighboring saudi for example)
- alcohol is legal, drink shops and all
- Pumping party scene/night life
- freedom of speech but not no so in the press, things been going bad there lately
- WOMEN CAN DRIVE! hahaha and off course vote etc
it was a much secular/liberal country prior to the 70s before the islamic revolution in Iran and the heavy usage of the powers that be in the middle east using religion as means off divide and “rule”.
and to answer your question, Yeah I visited and experienced most of Europe and lived in Australia for a few years. We’re no where as liberal as those places but we are quite the anomaly in the G.C.C.
Posted 12 February 2011 - 00:41
Posted 12 February 2011 - 00:49
Bahrain anger day? You mean the day when, having just watching a processional season opener play out on an awful circuit, fans pour over the BB?
Posted 12 February 2011 - 17:57
uncool it’s the only event i look forward to here
- alcohol is legal, drink shops and all
Edited by PayasYouRace, 12 February 2011 - 18:35.
Posted 12 February 2011 - 18:30
How can be considered a country pretty liberal when it is governed by Shari'a?Yes I am, born and raised , british schooling though lol. And I did mention “relative to the rest of them”.
Compared to our close neighbors we are considered pretty Liberal;
- Freedom of religion, we have churches and temples and all that
- dress the way you want (sad to even mention, but thats not the case in neighboring saudi for example)
- alcohol is legal, drink shops and all
- Pumping party scene/night life
- freedom of speech but not no so in the press, things been going bad there lately
- WOMEN CAN DRIVE! hahaha and off course vote etc
it was a much secular/liberal country prior to the 70s before the islamic revolution in Iran and the heavy usage of the powers that be in the middle east using religion as means off divide and “rule”.
and to answer your question, Yeah I visited and experienced most of Europe and lived in Australia for a few years. We’re no where as liberal as those places but we are quite the anomaly in the G.C.C.
Posted 12 February 2011 - 18:33
Thanks Mark. Going by what you said it shouldn't be a huge problem getting F1 going as planned. Odd choice of day though, Valentine's day.
Posted 12 February 2011 - 19:58
Give us a wave from the grandstand.
Hopefully there won't be anything that affects the race going ahead, though I'm sure the teams would like one less race in a 20 race season.
So why no champange on the podium?
How can be considered a country pretty liberal when it is governed by Shari'a?
My best friend now works in Saudi Arabia and indeed is bad. To have a fan they spent an weekend in Bahrain . To be honest I don't believe and trust in Muslim liberalism and I think what was happened in Tunisia and Egypt is for bad.
You are probably know better the reality from your country but I think being so reach no revolution will occur so our GP will be safe.
About as weird as if they held it on George Washington's Birthday, or Easter Sunday. It is of no meaning and consequence to them.
Edited by finignig, 12 February 2011 - 20:01.
Posted 12 February 2011 - 21:10
and in regards to champagne on the podium its because drinking in public is not allowed, plus its a bit insulting to the grandstands of mostly practicing muslims.
Posted 13 February 2011 - 13:53
Posted 13 February 2011 - 17:29
Posted 13 February 2011 - 17:40
I was in Tahrir when the news of Mubarak's departure became known. This certainly does not make me a pundit on Bahrain, the sole experience of which I have, is the airport.
The rage in Tunisia and even more so in Egypt was driven by social and economic deprivation, capped by blatant corruption trickling down from the highest to the lowest levels of administration, and police brutality that was casual and common.
Is Bahrain like that? I don't think so, but I don't know.
Posted 13 February 2011 - 17:43
Edited by finignig, 13 February 2011 - 17:43.
Posted 13 February 2011 - 18:07
Things are moving very very very fast here, since Mubarak fell (hour ago?) news are filtering about 1000 bd for every family and a rumor doing rounds about release of all political prisoners. Bahrain is buzzing with worry and anticipation of the 14th!.
Last week, Bahrain's king, Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, granted each Bahraini family the equivalent of nearly $2,700 in an apparent bid to calm tensions.
Available online Bahrain promises media freedoms amid protest calls @ http://hosted.ap.org...EMPLATE=DEFAULT
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Posted 13 February 2011 - 18:13
More like socio-economic grievance
Posted 13 February 2011 - 21:53
according to the AP wire service this happened last week and it was 1,017.90 BHD.
Surely if you are in Bahrain this is something you would have known and not have got so wrong (time not amount).
Also unlike Egypt where a dictator was only interested in himself it seams other reforms are also going through such as greater freedom within the press etc (covered in the article linked above).
Of course i am not there, so certainly cannot and will not claim it makes any difference but its clear there are welcome differences in approach.
Edited by finignig, 13 February 2011 - 22:06.
Posted 13 February 2011 - 21:57
So it's nothing to do with Shia and Sunni then?
It's just rich people versus poor people, and the only differentiator is bank balance?
Edited by finignig, 14 February 2011 - 23:52.
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