Bahrain – A Match of Hope
By: Anah Galathea
The Arab world woke from a lazy sleep when a series of people political protests a.k.a. “people power” and unrest swept across Egypt, Tunisia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Algeria, and Libya in a bid to demand for political reforms or overthrow the existing regime.
The match was lit when mass demonstrations swept Egypt which eventually toppled President Hosni Mubarak’s 30-year rule by January 2011; and in Tunisia, people power overthrew Zine El Abidine Ben Ali’s regime.
Valentines Day was never the same again when anti-government protesters gathered at Bahrain’s capital Manama’s Pearl Roundabout. The protesters who are reportedly mostly from its Muslim Shiite sect demand political changes, while some demand the Sunni ruling family, the Al Khalifas to step down. This coincides with the fiery clashes in Libya between the government of Muammar Al-Gaddafi and the opposition. Gadaffi is said to be the longest ruling leader in the Gulf with a total of 42 years. The rest of mass demonstrations are still happening in Algeria, Kuwait, etc. as of this writing.
We can only watch in horror on what is happening around the world. We wake up the next day with the terrible news of an earthquake which hit New Zealand in its second largest city, Christchurch. Aside from that, oil spills, massive unrest, economic crisis, etc., and etc., have been our daily meals for a longer time. Are we going to be immune?
The world felt like spinning and spinning too fast that we can hardly catch up. If we feed ourselves with more bad news, we will never survive. Our common sense and tolerance will sure get down the drain if we don’t do something to balance up. What are we to do at these terrible times? Get immune? Be indifferent? Shrug our shoulders and block the realities? Sit on our comfort settees and ignore as long as we’re okay?
I choose to hold on to what good remains in this troubled world. I choose to hold on to my God who knows all things, sees all things, and will perfect all things. I choose to not fear and trust the Word. Let me quote Jesus Christ when He said: “I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)
May we find comfort on those words. The best antidote for all these evil happening around us is to bend our knees and pray. Light the match of hope in your heart. Wise words went something like this: “Hope is some extraordinary spiritual grace that God gives us to control our fears, not to oust them” (Vincent Mcnabb). Rekindle the fire of love, joy, peace and hope. Be strong, have faith, shine! It’s time to glow in the dark!
