Bahrain's National Day celebrations officially begin today with a street carnival which officials say will be a joy for the whole family. Bahrainis also celebrate the end of a "very memorable" year which has witnessed many remarkable national achievements.
A series of activities have also been lined up by ministries and governorates to mark the kingdom's 33rd National Day, celebrated on December 16. The festivities kicked off yesterday with a concert, organised by the Ministry of Information, in Al Juffair area that attracted thousands of jubilant citizens.
Also, the world's largest flag, Bahrain's red and white, was unveiled on Monday. It was made in China especially for the occasion. A national exhibition showcasing pictures from the past is to be opened today at the international exhibition centre.
Music bands
However, the highlight of the celebrations will be today's parade of custom-made wagons representing the kingdom's various ministries, civic societies and communities. Music bands from the military and police will also take part in the carnival, to be staged on the main Ahmad Al Fateh road in Manama.
The past year was "definitely one of the most memorable in Bahrain's recent history", according to Fareed Hassan, an editor at the Arabic daily Al Ayyam, as it has been marked by the hosting of the Formula One Grand Prix for the first time in the Middle East. The prestigious race, which was held in April, "proved to be a huge success and put this tiny kingdom on the world map," he said.
The Bahrain circuit, built specially for the race at a cost of $150 million (around Dh547.5 million), recently won an international award for the best organised race. Organisers of the F1 are promising an even more spectacular event when the race comes back next April.
First female minister
The appointment of Dr Nada Hafadh, in April, as the first female minister in Bahrain's history was also described as "a historical" achievement for women in the kingdom and a significant step towards giving them a fair share in the decision-making process.
"It is historic in the sense that she was appointed not because she was a woman but because she was a qualified and competent person," said Abbas Abu Safwan, home news editor for the Arabic daily Al Wasat.
The 47-year-old family physician is believed to be the first Arab woman ever to hold the post of a health minister, and the third woman in the Gulf region to be appointed a minister after Oman and Qatar's education ministers.
Her Highness Shaikha Sabika Al Khalifa, wife of His Majesty King Hamad Bin Eisa Al Khalifa, said in a congratulation message to Dr Nada that her appointment has brought Bahraini women a step closer to being full partners in the national development process.
Abu Safwan cited the Bahrain-US Free Trade Agreement (FTA) which was signed in September as another landmark achievement for Bahrain in 2004. "It will open new horizons for Bahrainis, new job opportunities, an increase in trade revenues and the expected evolution in legislations which are required by the agreement in relation to transparency, accountability and judicial reforms," he explained.
The deal, the first for a Gulf country with the US, is expected to be ratified by the legislatures in both countries early next year.
But the past year was not all rosy.
It also witnessed the first arrest of a government critic since the launch of the king's political reforms four years ago, and the closure of the human rights centre which he worked for.
GCC summit
Human rights activist Abdul Hadi Al Khawaja was arrested on September 25, two days after speaking at a debate on poverty at which he criticised the Prime Minister and called for the government's resignation.
2004 will also end on a high note for Bahrain as the kingdom hosts the 25th summit of the GCC leaders. The summit is to be held next week.
Gulf News
