The opposition Al Wafa Islamic Movement has called for a massive
demonstration against the government's secret drive to recruit tens of
thousands of Sunnis from Iraq, Syria and other countries to live in Bahrain.
The opposition asserts that the GCC kingdom was providing incentives to help
erase the Shi'ite majority in Bahrain, Middle East Newsline reported.
"This is the first-of-a-kind rally that we have organized to stand up
against and object to a political issue," Al Wefaq member Said Al Nouri
said. "We are protesting against political naturalization because it goes
against the law and is changing the demographics of the country."
The re-settlement of the Sunnis has sparked ethnic tension around
Bahrain. In April 2010, more than 100 Sunnis and Shi'ites brawled at a high
school, which summoned anti-riot police.
The Bahraini leadership has already warned Shi'ites of violence and
sabotage in connection with the Sunni re-settlement program. Prime Minister
Khalifa Bin Salman Al Khalifa and Crown Prince Salman Bin Hamad warned
of a crackdown on sabotage and vandalism.
"There is no justification or logical excuse, whatsoever, warranting
such acts of sabotage which impact schools and student safety," the two
senior officials said in a statement on May 3. "Hurling firebombs at schools
and setting establishments ablaze are unwarranted and heinous crimes."
Bahrain has been struggling with an increasingly restive Shi'ite
majority, estimated at 70 percent of the population. Bahrain has been
conducting a census that the Shi'ite opposition said could finally determine
the ethnic composition of the GCC kingdom.
"Laws shall be enforced in a way that serves development and the state's
economic vision, boosts investments and protects Bahrain's long-term
openness," Khalifa and Salman said.
At this point, the Interior Ministry has not approved the May 14
opposition sit-in, organized by the new National Campaign against
Demographic Change in Bahrain. Organizers said they would not stop the
demonstration if the ministry denies a permit.
"Previous protests organized by the opposition have had minimal effect,
which is why I say the effort made by us is the first of its kind on such a
large scale," Al Wefaq's Al Nouri said. "We will send an official request to
the ministry a few days before the protest and we are optimistic that we
will be granted authorization, because this is a peaceful protest."
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