Gone But Never Forgotten

In Manama today, there's very little left of Pearl Roundabout. Years from now, people will live their lives and have difficulty remembering exactly where it used to be, but not for us who lived through the protests. Never. The symbolic end to the monument is one that reflects how the Bahraini people victoriously put an end to terrorism in the nation and faced it with bravery. It was a wonderful act by the people in charge to demolish it once and for all to make sure that it is not turned into a shrine for mourning that would resurrect memories of hatred, pain and difficulty for almost everyone in Bahrain, regardless. It's not exactly a glowing testimony for the end of violence in Bahrain, but hopefully a reoccurring trigger in the face of all the traitors to signify their "put down".

For all you readers who don't know much about Pearl Roundabout or GCC Roundabout, it's one of the main roundabouts in the capital city of Bahrain, and one of the most important monuments in Bahrain.  The monument was established three decades ago along the time of the 3rd Gulf Summit in November 1982, which was held for the very first time in Bahrain. Going closer to the monument itself, it has six sides representing the nations of the six countries of the GCC. As for the centralized pearl, it refers to the profession of pearl diving, which used to represent the backbone of economic life in the Gulf before the discovery of oil, hence why the protestors decided to use this roundabout as a hub for their demonstrations. As I watched the news, images of the Pearl Roundabout, stab at my senses like needles, and they are always there although I was not physically present. The people and events from Day One of February the 14th till today, whether their memories of that day are first or second hand. Now that the roundabout is history, it is not dead past, it lives and breathes and walks alongside us every day, just as the images and people that found themselves in the middle of the horrendous pandemonium, resonate in my historic and will continue in my personal memory every day. I can never forget how my country has been stabbed, betrayed in the front, where she can see her own children shoving swords through her heart.

Today, I feel deep sadness because the controversies springing from the aftermath of February 14, so often drown out the voices of the people who lived and died through the events mostly importantly the 2 policemen (may they rest in peace). I believe the real message we take out of this, for us all is that in times of disaster, people can and must trust each other and their government and country for comfort, help and hope. I have mixed feelings about today, but mostly I feel a deep sadness and a sustainable hope. A deep sadness for the loss of a nation's monument that withstood the test of time and a sustainable hope that Bahrain will become stronger, better and impenetrable. Long Live Bahrain. Long Live the King.

Brave Bahrain

Note: This goes out to the loyal people of Bahrain.