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Bahrain

Bahrain. Map.

Bahrain is a small Gulf monarchy in the Persian Gulf with a population of an estimated 1,5 million. While figures are disputed and the last census including sectarian identification was conducted in 1941, it is estimated that between 65-75% of the population are Shii Muslims. However, the country is ruled by the Khalifa family who are Sunni Muslims. Overall, despite the Shii majority population the country’s political and economic elite is dominated by Sunni Muslims. Shii Muslims also face discrimination and restrictions of their religious activities. In the wake of the Arab Spring in 2011, an uprising also began in Bahrain demanding democratic reforms and equal rights for all citizens of Bahrain, regardless of their sectarian affiliation. The uprising was violently suppressed, political activities of Shii activists severely curbed and key figures from Bahrain’s Shii community arrested or exiled. During the violent crackdown many protesters were killed, and many who were arrested were also killed in prison.

The photos below illustrate how Shii Muslims in Bahrain mark their presence in a public sphere hostile to them and how they use religious language and symbolism as means to articulate political dissent to the ruling dynasty in Bahrain.

 

Photo: Yafa Shanneik
Murals play an important role in marking the presence of a community and their communal aspirations in the public sphere. This wall around a Shii neighborhood in Manama, the capital of Bahrain, depicts several epithets given to Imam Husayn, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, such as shahid (martyr), qatil (murdered), mazlum (oppressed).The oppression of Husayn is here implicitly equated with the oppression of Shii Muslims in Bahrain. His murder and martyrdom with the killing of Shii Muslim protesters during the uprising. Photo: Yafa Shanneik
Photo: Yafa Shanneik
Very often, authorities paint over political messages written on walls. In this case, parts of a political message are still visible on the right where it says: “The voice of those who have been killed [cannot be silenced…]” Over the paint covering the original political slogan, a religious message has been written praising Abu al-Fadl al-‘Abbas, a half-brother of Imam Husayn. Photo: Yafa Shanneik
Photo: Yafa Shanneik
This cemetery contains many graves of Shii Muslims killed during the uprising. Remnants of political messages can be seen on the front wall, mostly covered by paint. Photo: Yafa Shanneik
Photo: Yafa Shanneik
In this neighbourhood, the owner of the house covered the house with a huge black cloth in order to prevent the authorities from painting over any messages written on its walls. On the black cloth is written in white “Husayn is a flame that cannot be extinguished.” While this message appears to be religious suggesting that the killing of Husayn will always be remembered, it has political undertones as well. Despite the violent crackdown of the uprising in Bahrain, the dissent of most Shii Muslims and their opposition to the regime has not stopped. Photo: Yafa Shanneik
Photo: Yafa Shanneik
This banner attached to a house in a Shii neighbourhood combines religious slogans with political messaging. It contains a religious supplication, attributed to Imam Husayn, saying “O God, grant me patience for the sake of the hereafter.” This supplication becomes a message of political encouragement for Shii Muslims in Bahrain to be patient and to recognize that their sacrifices are not in vain. Photo: Yafa Shanneik
Photo: Yafa Shanneik
The banner on top of the street equally combines religious slogans with political messaging. It reads: “The one who weeps for Imam Husayn safeguards Islam.” This statement suggests that ritual practices during Muharram such as mourning and crying for Imam Husayn ensure the continuity of Islam. Translated in the Bahraini context, it means that Shii Muslims need to follow their rituals as a means to maintain their communal identity in a state which is hostile to them and seeks to eradicate the presence of Shii Islam in the public sphere. Photo: Yafa Shanneik
Photo: Yafa Shanneik
During Muharram, religious associations in particular neighbourhoods provide food and drinks for free at night. This particular stall carries the title abtal karbala’ (“the heroes of Karbala”) in reference to Imam Husayn’s followers who were also killed in Karbala. The residents of this neighbourhood link “the heroes of Karbala” to the present, referring to the young men and women killed during the uprising or later in prison who should be equally considered to be heroes. Photo: Yafa Shanneik
Photo: Yafa Shanneik
The political message is particularly clear in the name of this stall which has the title al-hurriyya (freedom) referring to the freedom from political oppression Shii Muslims in Bahrain strive to achieve. Photo: Yafa Shanneik
Sidansvarig: oliver.scharbrodtctr.luse | 2024-03-19