Newspapers and news agencies recently reported that budget carrier Air Arabia is to purchase 120 new aircraft worth $14 billion, which the airline announced during the recent Dubai Air Show.
I am not here to market the company as some readers may think, but why I am talking about it is because I want to pay tribute to the Air Arabia chief executive, Adel Ali Abdullah, a Bahraini, who has single-handedly been responsible for the company’s meteoritic rise against intense competition.
Mr Abdullah was once at Gulf Air but his tenure was short-lived due to, as we all know, the difficult circumstances the company was then in.
Another Bahraini national, who deserves a lot of respect, is Captain Mohammed Ahmed, a professional with 30 years of aviation experience, who is now Omani carrier, Salam Air, chief executive.
I came across a very well-made film on the life of Captain Ahmed, which has a lot of lessons for the audience and which touched a lot of hearts.
What I am trying to say is how qualified Bahrainis are able to go on the path of success and excellence abroad. This speaks a lot about their merit and capabilities, given the opportunity and the authority.
These are just two examples I cited but I am sure there are many others in various fields such as banking, insurance, industry and medicine, among others.
I wish the homeland would embrace all Bahrainis and benefit from their expertise and their competence and strive to work hand in hand for the good of the nation.
I know many expatriates who prefer to work outside their homelands and have taken the decision out of their own free will and for reasons that they know are in their interest.
But this does not prevent officials from giving them the opportunity or positions in state and private institutions so that they are able to work side by side with their Bahraini brothers and sisters who are already contributing to Bahrain’s development.
One thing is clear, though. A Bahraini loves his country and does not want to be away from his family unless he is forced by circumstances.
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