Bahrain celebrated its National Days on December 16 and 17, in commemoration of the establishment of the Bahraini state as an Arab and Muslim country founded by Ahmed Al Fateh in 1783, the anniversary of its full membership in the United Nations, and the anniversary of His Majesty the King’s Accession to the Throne.
People celebrated with great jubilation the National Days with a sprit of patriotism and fervor that reflected the strong determination to overcome the hardships that the nation had to face and mirrored their resolve to keep moving forward under the leadership of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa.
Manama was beautifully decked up for the celebration of Bahrain’s National Days with patriotic ornaments and decorative lights lining the capital’s highways and avenues.
Manama officials set up three huge screens on Al Fateh Highway, opposite the Avenues shopping complex and above the main building of the Municipality. A special area ornamentally decorated with lights was dedicated on King Faisal Corniche to the public to take memorial photos.
In the traditional Suq, shops sold flags, badges, banners, balloons, National Day dresses, buntings and decorations while in malls across the Kingdom offered huge four-day discounts to mark the National Days. Several drivers decorated their vehicles with the red-and-white flag in a special demonstration of patriotism and allegiance to HM the King.
The celebratory mood was as prevalent in the other cities across the Kingdom.
Bahrain Television and Bahrain Radio on Wednesday aired HM the King’s address and congratulations to the nation, an address that boosted optimism and strengthened belief in a brighter future.
The media outlets played patriotic songs and broadcast programs in which guests highlighted the Kingdom’s achievements throughout 2020, spoke about dreams and aspirations for 2021 and shared their feelings on what the Independence Days meant to them and to their families and colleagues.
With the splendid weather currently prevailing in the Kingdom, families and individuals flocked to sea front areas and open-air parks with children carrying Bahrain’s flags within a joyous atmosphere.
In the evening, dazzling fireworks lit up the sky, augmenting sentiments of elation, hope and pride in the nation as it demonstrated, once more, its ability to turn challenges into opportunities. The dazzling show was organized by the Ministry of Information Affairs in cooperation with the Bahrain International Circuit (BIC), near the Salman bin Ahmed Al-Fateh Fort in the Southern Governorate and Salman Town in the Northern Governorate.
HH Major Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Royal Guard Special Force Commander, underscored that the Commemoration Day which falls on December 17 annually and coincides with Bahrain’s National Day, during which Bahrainis recall the sacrifices and heroics made by Bahrain’s martyrs while defending their homeland and the neighbouring nations.
HH Shaikh Khalid said in a statement on this occasion: “From this day, we draw many lessons, and words alone can’t describe our feelings towards our martyrs. They forged a great story by their pure blood. The immortal battles fought by them to defend their Arabism and Bahrain’s sovereignty are witnesses to these sacrifices which we will eternally remember.”
Under the patronage of National Security Advisor, Royal Guard Commander Major-General His Highness Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, a ceremony was held to commemorate Martyr’s Day in the Royal Guard in Bahrain Defense Force.Royal Guard’s Special Force Commander, Lieutenant Colonel His Highness Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa attended the ceremony.
The band played the Last Melody and the religious guide offered the prayer of the martyr before HH Shaikh Nasser watered the palm tree symbolizing life. HH Shaikh Nasser offered on the occasion a salute of reverence, loyalty and pride to Bahrain’s martyrs of national duty who have died in the fields of honor.
“On this honorable day, we recall the heroes who sacrificed so much in the service of their homeland and in defense of their religion. They have now joined the ranks of those who preceded them and won the honor of martyrdom for the sake of God. They have joined the elite of the righteous martyrs of Bahrain who since the days of our fathers and grandfathers sacrificed themselves to defend the religion and the homeland and to support the brothers. They contributed honorably and impressively to the collective consciousness of the nation,” HH Shaikh Nasser said.
The Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities (BACA) held an event marking the Commemoration Day at the Al Jasra Handicrafts Centre.
Sons of fallen servicemen took part in the event, held in collaboration with the Royal Humanitarian Foundation (RHF).Director-General of Culture and Arts at BACA, artist Shaikha Hala bint Mohammed Al Khalifa, conducted a workshop in which children drew shapes inspired from the Razji flowers on seats and pottery. Seedlings of the Razji flowers were also planted in the Centre’s garden.
Shaikha Hala bint Mohammed said that the Commemoration Day sheds light on the sacrifices made by Bahrain for sake of Good and humanity, stressing that BACA’s celebration of the Commemoration Day is in line with the directives of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, who issued a Royal Order to mark the event every December 17 in recognition of the late servicemen whose sacrifices will remain carved in the national memory.
BACA’s celebrations of the National Days continued with a webinar on Friday, December 18 marking the World Arabic Language Day, and the “December Murals”. BACA will also launch the “Culture and Diplomacy” Book at the Bahrain National Museum at 11:00 am, on December 22, and open the Bani Jamra textile factory on December 23.
The Bahrain Post at the Ministry of Transportation issued a set of four stamps featuring a portrait of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa, marking Bahrain’s National Days. The set, which illustrates some local traditional handicrafts, was designed in cooperation with the Bahrain Authority of Culture and Antiquities (BACA) to highlight the Kingdom’s cultural heritage, deep-rooted history and civilization and conserve handicrafts. The commemorative stamps will be available in denomination of 250 fils at all Bahrain Post branches.
Gulf Air, the national carrier of the Kingdom of Bahrain, the National Day through a virtual platform that was accessible to the airline’s entire workforce in the Kingdom of Bahrain and all outstations throughout the Gulf Air’s global network. The virtual platform was available for all staff to access through their smartphones and it included a number of activities and interactive segments including: the National Anthem of the Kingdom of Bahrain, a congratulatory message from the airline’s Acting Chief Executive Officer Captain Waleed A. Hameed AlAlawi to the leadership and the Gulf Air’s workforce, Bahraini national songs, pictures of previous National Day events held at Gulf Air headquarters, a blog for the airline’s staff to share their celebratory pictures or messages, a staff competition and an online game.
Tech giant Google has joined Bahrainis and the international community in celebrating the Kingdom’s National Days, with a dedicated animated Google Doodle featuring the Kingdom’s national flag.