Gulf | Bahrain
Bahraini opposition will mark independence day
Six opposition groups have stuck to their commitment to pressure concerned bodies to start celebrating Bahrain's independence day on August 14, by marking it this year with a host of activities.
- Staff Report
- Published: 23:59 August 7, 2008
Manama: Six opposition groups have stuck to their commitment to pressure concerned bodies to start celebrating Bahrain's independence day on August 14, by marking it this year with a host of activities.
Member of Al Ekha Society Mousa Al Ansari told Gulf News yesterday Bahrainis should celebrate independence day on August 14 because on the same day 37 years ago Bahrain became independent.
"Bahrainis were initially celebrating independence day on August 14 but later the government changed it to coincide with celebrating the day the Bahraini leader took over governing the country on December 16, 1971."
Al Wefaq Political Society, which has the highest percentage of MPs in the lower house, the National Action Democratic Society and Al Ekha are among the six groups that are pushing for a national holiday on August 14.
"Our call is not to get a day off. The government merged celebrations of the two occasions to reduce public holidays and cut the cost of marking national occasions, but that doesn't mean we should not remember our history," he said.
Al Ansari said many Bahraini adults weren't aware that their country became independent in August and not December.
"As part of this year's celebration, we will hold a public seminar to highlight our demands and discuss topics concerning Bahrain," he said. "Many of our citizens sacrificed their lives and stayed in jail for years to free their beloved country."
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