The Era of Isa and the Role of Khalifa

The requirements of the state administration and management require going beyond the stage of mourning and sadness on the passing of His Highness Sheikh Salman Bin Hamad Al-Khalifa. It is true that the death of the great late Emir was a torment and left a bitter grudge and deeply saddened the hearts. But these same hearts believed that the mourning days will end, so the ages of men, but the nation must remain.

... Bahrain must remain despite grief It must remain and forget its anguish to begin a new stage of the construction and work; it must open a new shining page from the pages of its renowned, great history Thus, the case of Bahrain on the eve of the 15th of December 1961.... Arrangements were prepared for the next day to be a day of pride and delight and a date for the allegiance of His Highness Sheikh Isa Bin Salman Al-Khalifa as the new Governor of Bahrain, the leader and the Emir guiding it to a bright future.

With the first breath of the morning of the 16th of December 1961, Bahrain, its people and institutions have completed its arrangements and dressed its best to receive this dear day; meeting was at Al Qudaibeya palace, which was built by the late Sheikh Salman Bin Hamad seven years ago to be a guest house for receiving Bahrain senior guests of kings, princes and presidents. Bahrainis came to this palace from different parts of the country to pledge allegiance to the new Emir and declare their loyalty to the successor after the predecessor of Al Khalifa sons.

At exactly nine oclock, the palace was bursting with yelling and praying for His Highness Sheikh Isa and his brother His Highness Sheikh Khalifa as the solemn procession was entering the palace gates surrounded with the guard of honor on genuine Arab horses. The palace and its halls were crowded with citizens, as well as busy hands, which extended to salute the brothers, Isa and Khalifa. Thus, the new ruler His Highness, the new governor, arrived to the celebration platform with difficulty; His Highness Sheikh Khalifa took a seat in the first row and gave his directives to his assistants, to check on the completion of the preparations. Then His Highness sat in his seat surrounded with senior members of the ruling family and senior officials of the State.

Silence prevailed in the spacious hall when His Highness Sheikh Isa bin Salman began his speech addressing the citizens, brothers and sons in his first speech as Governor of the State of Bahrain; a speech that His Highness wanted to be a pledge and a document of love and understanding between the ruler and the people and a statement of his goals for the progress of Bahrains people. The documentations have reserved the words of his speech laden with honest discourse, optimism and humility as chests of men reserved the intimate impressions from those blessed moments of the history of Bahrain.

Some of the words in the speech are: In these moments, while addressing our first speech after assuming governance of the country, we believe that the first thing that needs to be mentioned is my gratitude to you and to all members of our trustworthy people for their condolences and most esteemed consolation and sympathy upon the death of the Emir and what everyone, individuals and groups, have shown of a true sharing in our painful loss. We thank you for your happiness and hope upon our handling of the responsibility of governance in succession of the late Emir of the country, May his soul rest in paradise ....His Highness added: "... After thanking God, whom we depend upon and pray for his aid, we will work for and pursue the prosperity and stability of this country in all fields; we would like to summarize some of the goals that we are striving to achieve, by Gods will, first, maintaining the entity of this Arab country, raising and stabilizing its foundations and applying rules of God to preserve His legislations, pursuing the policy development in various areas, which were laid down by the deceased Emir. In addition to making profound efforts to find more resources and revenues to achieve prosperity, then stabilizing and strengthening the bonds that bind us and our brothers, the countries and peoples of the Arab countries, and other friends and allies in order to achieve equitable cooperation and grant everybody with tranquility and prosperity .... ."

After informing his people of the conditions of this era and the requirements for the future, His Highness concluded his speech saying: "... you will find us as our parents and grandparents before us: your support in good and harsh times; our success is only from God; we rely upon him and draw strength and inspire repayment and conciliation from Him, God the most protagonist and the most supporter...."

After completing his speech, his Highness Sheikh Isa, the pledge ceremony began, and guests submitted their congratulations to His Highness and His Highness Sheikh Khalifa. The crowd stood in rows led by His Highness Sheikh Abdullah Bin Isa Al-Khalifa "the oldest member of the ruling family." The spectra of mixed joy and hope mingled in the spectrum of Sheikh Salman Bin Hamad nearly before 91 years.

Perhaps some of the crowd recalled the memories of that day, when the late Sheikh Salman bin Hamad received the allegiance of the citizens as a Governor of Bahrain...

Perhaps these have associated that past day with the present day and between the late father and the promising son. As for His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Salman, the closest to the heart of the new ruler, his brother and his colleague, when describing his impressions and feelings about these moments as he stood by his brother to receive the citizens allegiance, he goes back in memory about twenty years ago when he stood beside his brother Isa in a similar position watching the allegiance ceremony of their father at the palace of Sheikh Hamad as governor of Bahrain.

This glorious event and intimidating position did not prevent their overwhelming sense of joy as they were watching all the hearts and hands extending to shake hands with their dear father. But that innocent cheer ignorant of the danger of responsibility melted quickly to be replaced by a perception of the magnitude of the responsibility assumed by their father, who one day expressed his own feelings to them in spite of their young age. They were standing in the one of the courtyards of the palace when His Highness contemplated his son Isa standing in his same position to receive the allegiance of the citizens.

The father directed his invocation to God that his sons love and mutual understanding and friendship remain for ever, and that his son Khalifa is the best supporter and companion for his brother Isa and work together for the welfare and interests of Bahrain and its people.

His Highness Sheikh Khalifa always likes to talk about the close, transparent relationship, which linked him and his brother His late Highness Sheikh Isa. He expressed his pride in the superiority of this relationship; he even said that life affairs, plots and conspiracies against the father, family and Bahrain in general had aided their solidity, strength and transparency. His Highness Sheikh Khalifa adds: the father, God bless his soul finds that the permanence of the strength the father, may God rest his soul, saw that the solidity of this relationship is for the best of Bahrain; there is no doubt that thoughts were very wise.

The day of pledging the alliance ended as it began: solemn and mighty; the people of Bahrain returned to their homes with renewed hope in the new era of construction and work under the banner of the new wise Governor. They returned to their homes assured of a coming stable era and days full of had work no knowing that a few returned home concocting a series of rumors and conspiracies targeting the country's security, disturbing the peace of the new ruler, and hassling him and his brother His Highness Sheikh Khalifa.
Facing the first challenges.

His Highness Sheikh Khalifa says: it was the first days succeeding death of the father Sheikh Salman and His Highness Sheikh Isas handling of the rein of the country; those were very harsh days for us (my brother, the late Sheikh Issa and I) and we felt that the man who was our lantern and sponsor had gone, and that the school of wisdom, which was always opening its doors, was closed to us forever.

However, the solidarity of the faithful sons of Bahrain and the sons of the ruling family, who have rallied around the brothers, who were suffering the death of their father and bearing the burden of the responsibility, had helped His Highness Sheikh Isa and His Highness Sheikh Khalifa to overcome those difficulties that quickly began to emerge in the path of the new era; the news of the machinations of the few outside the framework of loyalty to the homeland and the Governor, have reached the brothers, who felt sympathy for the hearts that lived on slag and disease more than hatred or the desire for revenge. That group had traditionally spread rumors in order to urge sedition, and therefore took the opportunity and spread rumors about the inadequacy of the two brothers for governance because of their young age.

His Highness Sheikh Khalifa was like a Chief Minister for his brother, running runs consultations and meetings from his office in the building, which the Bahraini people call "the secretarial building", named upon the post of "secretary of the government", a position which was previously occupied by the "Counselor". This was the building in Manama near the British embassy today, which includes a number of major governmental departments, with the financial department in the forefront, which was chaired by His Highness Sheikh Khalifa himself, in addition to many other responsibilities. The most important was the presidency of Manama Municipality, which at that time comprised most of the executive departments of the State and served as the executive authority in the country. He was also the President of the Housing Committee, which managed by his efforts and the guidance of His Highness Prince Issa bin Salman, to complete the urban renaissance and provide the model housing for thousands of citizens.

In fact, that period was filled with the work, challenges and the efforts of the loyal sons of the homeland that is still etched in the conscience of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa...

With all its fatigue and difficulties and even the machinations and the memory of all of those who worked wholeheartedly to make it a promising developmental era. Mr. Mahmoud Al Alawi, God rest his soul, was one of these figures whom His Highness Sheikh Khalifa considered a colleague and a partner in carrying the financial management responsibilities of the State; it is the Department that initiated most of the projects of Bahrain's modern renaissance in that period.

The late His Highness Sheikh Isa bin Salman had a foresight, a clear vision and an awareness that any act of revenge against those ailing hearts, those who questioned his ability and efficiency, and his brothers too, will reflect on the country's security and stability and the unity and cohesion of its people.

Therefore, the two brothers agreed not to pay attention to those intrigues with the confidence that the peoples love and loyalty to the Governor of the country and his brother will get in the face of doubters, and this is what actually happened as the pace of development accelerated day after day, which in fact has started since the first days of His Highness Sheikh Isa Bin Salmans handling the rein of power in the country. This phase of building and development was a supplement to the virtuous mission, which was legislated by the goodness of His Highness Sheikh Salman, mercy upon his soul. Moreover, the country has engaged in a workshop of huge building and construction; the opening of Bahrains International Airport, the inauguration of Salmans Port and the Manama Municipality building took place in 1962. His Highness Sheikh Isa, may God rest his soul, had laid the foundation stone of Isa Housing City in December 1963, which was accomplished upon the efforts of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa who was behind its idea and establishment in an amazing model.

Many significant transformations had taken place in the Arabian Peninsula and the Arab world, which had affected Bahrain negatively or positively. In Yemen, the year 1962 brought the end of the Imams epoch and the establishment of the Republic of Yemen at the hands of Al Musher Abdullah Sallal. Saudi Arabia, King Saud bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud abandoned his reign in 1964, and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was in a difficult financial situation at the beginning King Faisals handling the reign.

The world did not realize the strength of this man, because the Nasiriyah phenomenon was dominating the Arab and international spheres. With the passage of time the world began to look towards these new Saudi personnel, especially after the revenues of Saudi Arabia had improved rapidly, and after the national rapid growth and excellent performance at various levels, both locally and globally.

A New Knight.

There was also a new knight glowing with glory. On the 27th of June 1964, Bahrain had a date with the Ordinance, in which the Emir of the country has announced his eldest son, His Highness Sheikh Hamad Bin Isa the crown prince.

His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Salman, retrieving the memories of that day, in which Bahrain and the ruling have pledged alliance to the Emirs eldest son, sees that His Highness Sheikh Hamad Bin Isa, the crown prince, was aware since early childhood of the role that awaited him in the course of the history of Bahrain, and His Highness says: the dear son, Highness Sheikh Hamad was a careful observer, asks many questions, always eager to know, and a careful attendant of his fathers boards, the late Prince. He chose the best time and circumstances in terms of decision making and managing the country's policy, administering the states the affairs of the citizens. Moreover, His Highness was a good Reader, and a follower of the daily course of events on both the local and international levels.

The fates of Bahrain were being formed in limbo, but in the present time, there has been some work to make the fate of Bahrain bright and carefree, and there were also people who intend mischief for this country, its people, history, etc., and we will say much about these.

At the outset of the 1960s, during the beginnings of the new era in Bahrain, the Arab world was going through a dark tunnel of political contradictions and paradoxes. There were old political and ideological extraneous principles, orientations and concepts to the Islamic Sharia (doctrine), and the habits of the Arabs and Muslims. These leftist trends were seeking to influence and fuel the peoples of the region in order to change the political regimes in a number of Arab countries, which were then described as "retrograde", which witnessed direct interventions in their domestic affairs by the regimes that used to be described as being "revolutionary" until the disorganized national demonstrations became almost a daily news in a number of Arab countries. Other Arab countries were working to enlarge and fuel these demonstrations, not interested in the destruction and devastation caused by the destiny of the people, their property and resources, and its infrastructure, but also the lives of their children.

In fact, the severity of the momentum of these trends had coincided with the revival of a comprehensive national awakening that witnessed a boom in the Arab nationalism in Egypt. Algeria, Tunisia, Syria and others, and this had been a reason for the mixing and blending of things, positive and negative
The Arab peoples from the Atlantic Ocean to the Gulf were at that time subject to what might be termed as an emotional "brainwashing", in which parties and leftist Revolutionary currents, like Communism, Marxism and Leninism, have participated side by side with some radio and the Arab media. These leftist organizations were overcoming the efforts of the nations easily and smoothly; the holders of such ideas were mostly of the sons of those countries who were studying abroad, especially in the socialist and communist countries, in addition to Arab countries such as Egypt, Lebanon, Syria and Iraq.

On the other hand, Bahrain was not out of harm's way of these movements and its negative impact on the conduct of public life and the process of construction. Thus, these currents and movements that coincided with the beginning of the era of His Highness Sheikh Isa bin Salman and the start of modern renaissance in the country, we like "pitfalls" that tried to hamper the pace of reconstruction and development and disrupt the serious schemes to push the development of the country in various areas, especially in the economic field, which is led by His Highness Sheikh Khalifa.

Some student groups of Bahrains youth who studied abroad and the educational bodies coming from some Arab countries have participated in the spread of the ideas and ideologies of communism and socialist organizations in its different trends. Secret cells, run from abroad, have started to rise in Bahrain and promote its dissemination of concepts and ideas among the working and middle classes. Moreover, the contemporaries of that period see that these organizations have resorted at the outset to show their love and loyalty to the ruling family and its compatibility with the Islamic beliefs and principles, particularly with regard to the Shura and equality, along with its sympathy with the liberal aspirations of the citizens, and through its ideas, it aided a popular demand seeking get rid of the British domination. Therefore, it involved a number of young enthusiasts in these movements and trends.

Outside the country, some students who were studying in Beirut were largely affected by the Socialist Party that they became prominent members in the party, especially in the scope of the American University in Beirut; they were the voice of the critical party of the government of Bahrain. While the Arab nationalists movement found eager adherents among the Bahraini students in each of Cairo and Beirut, "Freedom Magazine", speaking on behalf of the Arab Nationalists Movement, found a ready market in Bahrain in that period. These hastened to win the support of their friends and younger students, and thus succeeded in the formation of secret cells for the two movements in Bahrain, especially in Muharraq and Manama. The Communists also managed to win some supporters in Bahrain and some clubs, such as "Dawn Club" in Manama, and "Nour Club" that were centers of the Communist activity in the late 1950s and early 1960s. Although the Communists movement was the least in number, it was the most active inside and outside Bahrain; the Communist Bahraini Party sent a delegation from the Gulf region to attend the Arab Communist parties in Beirut in May 1965. However, these movements did not dare to start an open conflict with the government, and that is due to the police sever surveillance of these movements and political currents.
Unsuccessful Attempts.

The impact of the Arab nationalist movement was felt in the political trends in the country, and some political movements and organizations follow the example of some other Arab countries and linked itself with nationalist movements there, like the Arab nationalist and communist movements. But their impact was very limited because they did not have a clear policy in relation to political events in Bahrain. These movements also provided political support for other Arab countries from time to time. But this support was based on the emotional motivation and not ideology. Alas, these movements did not understand the real objectives of Arab unity.

But it was believed that regime change is the main objective of this. Therefore, it had been unable to submit any work at the local level in Bahrain. There is no doubt that the main reasons behind these movements and organizations did not oppose the government or the order in the country, but the growing British influence in the Kingdom of Bahrain and the introduction of reforms and constructive development in the country had a large role in the establishment of such movements. However, these movements and trends quickly deviated from reality and expressed new intentions towards the Governor and towards the heavenly religions, customs and Arab mores and traditions.

It seemed that many of those who joined these movements have realized that they are supported from abroad and does not mind anything to achieve their ends. Therefore, the good few have deserted these movements and trends and contributed in the detection of the people and clarifying their goals and objectives to the public. This came through in parallel with the efforts of the responsible government, which was His Highness had chaired with his brother His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Salman upon their ongoing consultations and meetings. His Highness Sheikh Isa Bin Salman says: "We had a firm conviction that these movements and organizations have been designed to sow discord between the citizens and undermine security and stability in this country; they planted ideas strange to our Islamic and Arab traditions. We took the initiative from the outset to declare our position and falsify their arguments by arguments and evidence, and found out their real intentions.

Here we are today, after more than thirty five years of fighting those ideas and organizations; we find them knocked down and exposed to the people and the world, and its fragility and weakness of the ideas and principles depicted even in those countries that founded it, and supported it with money, men and weapons. Alas, His Highness continues, we have lost a lot of effort, money and time that if we had spent for the benefit of the country, the fruit would have been achieved early. "

Many movements have emerged in the Bahraini society during that period, such as Communism, which is considered one of the oldest organizations in Bahrain. At the beginning, Communism spread between people, became popular and welcomed by many categories of people. These temporary successes were aided by the victories achieved by the rebels in the Dhofar region of the Sultanate of Oman, in addition to the impact of the "Tudeh" Party and its great support for the Communist and Marxist trends emerging in Bahrain.

The Marxist movement has emerged as a secret movement in 1955; it has its roots in the since 1964 when "Tudeh" , the Marxist Iranian Party, held an immense meeting on the 10th of June 1964 at "Arne" Clun in Tehran. The major spokesman was the Engineer Karim, who revealed the transfer of five members of the party in the Khuzestan region to the export of ideology and principles espoused by the Marxist party "Tudeh" to Bahrain. Engineer Karim added that the party's leadership will support those who represent the vanguard of the mission to Bahrain with two Marxist leaders from the party, in addition to sending other missions to Kuwait.

In February 1948, the British Intelligence resources in Iraq reported that two members of the Iranian Todeh party have succeeded in entering Bahrain: Mr. Ali Akbar Baker Zadh and Mr. Ismael Kadme. They entered through the marine route and they were transferring an amount of iron sent from Mr. Abdul Rasoul Torani to Iran and with arrangement with Sheikh Ahmad Yousef Al Baskati. The reports of the British Intelligence had pointed out that Mr. Kadme stayed in Bahrain for only three weeks, while Mr. Baker Zadeh had managed to stay for five weeks in the custody of Mr. Torani. It is thought that the relationship of Mr. Abdul Rasoul Torani with these figures was commercial only, and that he did not know the main reason behind their entrance to Bahrain.

Of course, we can expect that these two were under the direct British supervision from the minute of their entrance. The British Counselor at that time admitted this and said that these two were sent from Todah party but did not succeed in making the targeted communications, which led to hiring others for more secret plans.

In the year 1949, many rumors spread about the establishment of a Bahraini organization for Todeh party, the Iranian Marxist party. This aimed at transforming the regime of His Highness Sheikh Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa and including Bahrain in Iran!! Upon this, the official departments arrested Mr. Baker Zadeh while he was on board a ship that was on its way to Bahrain, and on May 1950 American resources in Bahrain mentioned that the secretary of Todehs party Mr. Mohammad Raes, the Iranian was on the Bahraini lands. This information had been transmitted to the British resident who ordered the following up of this case. As a result, Mohammad Raes was arrested, but he showed a document that proved his name was Mohammad Arje, and later he confessed he stopped using his real name. Therefore, he was expelled ouside Iran with another partner.

The leftist and communist movements had managed to mingle within the middle and working classes, and had influenced the political scene and the general popular scene. But this change remained under control as a result of the efforts of His Highness Skeikh Khalifa bin Salman. But these movements had been looking for the right chance to grow disputes and riots in the country; one of the most severe of these was the riots that hit Bahrain when Bahrains Oil Company (BABCO) ejected many workers. This story needs to be told.

On the 7th of March 1965, Bahrains Oil Company had decided to discharge many workers; the leftist and communist movements saw this as an opportunity to stir disputes and demonstrations. It announced the 9th of March as a general protest day and spread many leaflets and calls to citizens to do violent acts in the name of resisting the colonization!! In fact, the national efforts of the sons of Bahrain had tried in the beginning to prevent the establishment of such movements because they know it were futile, but these organizations were more capable to benefit from the riot makers in the streets and were getting great support from external resources, in addition its media capabilities, speeches, misleading news reports and revolutionary slogans that swept a number of Arab radio stations and newspapers that claim nationalism. This event had led the political organizations in Bahrain, like the communist, Arab nationalist or others, to unite their framework in one front, which was called at that time: the National Party for the Liberal Powers.
Those that disappointed their homeland.

The riots of March 1965 seemed like a horrible nightmare for most of the Bahraini citizens; they saw it referred to the return of the hard years they lived in the mid 1950s. The following months of March were full of tension and hazard due to the violence in the riots in which protesters burned and destroyed the public and private establishments.

The history of Bahrain registers for His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Salman that he himself led the national and public movements against these organizations.

He personally directed the negotiations and meetings with the major figures in the country, in addition to His Highness supervision of other movements that aimed to reduce the effects of the riots and disturbances. These movements had been welcomed with rejoice and rest from the citizens who suffered great loses in property and work facilities. In fact, most of those who participated in these riots and the leftist organizations had liberated from its claims and were insisting that they joined these organizations against colonization and the foreign settlement in Bahrain and not against the rule of His Highness Shaikh Isa and the ruling family. Those men had admitted later that they were a target of misleading and deceptive information in which some Arab media corporations have participated to stir the situation by spreading misleading information.

Upon such news, riot makers and protesters rushed to the streets, burning and destroying property for three weeks. The late Sheikh Khalifa bin Salman was in constant consultations with his brother His Highness Skeikh Khalifa about the means to face and deal with these movements; the brothers realized that these riots were stirred by external hands. They were careful not to escalate the riots and not to lose their temper in order to keep the lives and property of the people.

When His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Salman goes back in memory to that period, he always refers to the father His Highness Skeikh Salman bin Hamad from whom he learned the patience and wisdom to confront those riots, which swept Bahrain in the past. Therefore, the inherited wisdom had managed to overcome the tension created by the leftist movements and organizations, and the policy of His Highness Skeikh Khalifa and intelligent dealings had managed to keep the country and its people intact and to restore peace and stability in a short period of time. Upon the end of those events, His Highness Skeikh Salman bin Isa had ordered the establishment of a special committee that was responsible for preparing the country to overcome that hard period, running discussions and negotiations with diverse political and public powers, helping the affected citizens and institutions and restoring life to its normal.

The committee was chaired by His Highness Skeikh Khalifa bin Salman and the members: Skeikh Mohammad bin Mubarak Al Khalifa, Skeikh Abdullah bin Khalid Al Khalifa, Mr. Sadeq Al Bahrani, Mr. Abdulrahman Al Zayani, Mr. Mahmoud Ahmad Al Alawi, and Mr. Yousef Fakhro; The committee started handling tis responsibilities at once. The efforts of His Highness Skeikh Khalifa had managed to restore things to normal, and people started to feel the safe and stability. His Highness elevated his aspirations to take Bahrain to a new era of richness and prosperity through ambitious economic programs.

Skeikh Khalifa bin Salman has taken the responsibility to advance the economic progress of Bahrain. This immense national project was addressed to the economic affairs, moving ahead in the educational process, caring for the educated and experienced human resources and establishing firm infrastructure that is necessary for every economic renaissance. There was another primary basis that should be achieved, i.e., security, stability, laws and legislations. His Highness Skeikh Khalifa was, at that early period of his political life, a man of a great comprehensive vision of the situation in Bahrain, and he was also hiding his personal hurt and worry of those who intended harm to the country.

In this regard, His Highness Skeikh Khalifa once said: what really hurts my heart and causes my bitter suffering is the rich and wealthy class of our country, who collected their capital from the wealth and resources of this country, whom I expected they will put themselves and their resources for the service, stability and suture of their country. On the contrary, they were the first to transfer their money abroad. As a result, I have myself put and executed ambitious investment plans, provided personal financial loans from different sources and put a plan for investment in the country. That is how we have succeeded, through depending on ourselves, in liberating Bahrain from dependence on those large capital holders and in fulfilling our renaissance project.