.jpg?20200403')
My interest was aroused by HRH the Crown Prince’s visit to the operating room of the National Taskforce for Combating the Coronavirus at the Crown Prince Centre for Training and Medical Research. By doing so, he once again confirmed the long-held commitment of His Majesty King Hamad to every citizen of Bahrain, as expressed in the idea that what touches one citizen or resident in this land affects the entire country.
I have written more than once on Team Bahrain and the Crown Prince’s leadership of this team; with skill and competence based on insights and a vision that encompasses the future prosperity of Bahrain.
At the time it was more related to economic prosperity and welfare of citizens, but now I have begun to see that this team works in all fields – education, sports, women, real estate, services and many others, through a high-level committee chaired by the Crown Prince.
Then came the threat of the coronavirus that we are now experiencing. This made me realise that this team doesn’t consist of just people and goals, but understanding, harmony, love, enthusiasm, passion, joint action and a collective spirit that includes all of Bahrain.
This ordeal has shown that Bahrain is committed and responsible towards its people and towards the international community. Although it recorded the largest number of virus infections among Arab countries, and despite not having abundant funds like China or Kuwait, it is dealing with the issue swiftly and competently.
Bahrain has taken all necessary preparations to handle infected and suspected cases. All this within the framework of a comprehensive national plan involving hospitals, health centres, medical staff, media, police, customs, and others. They are all skillful, harmonious players in “Team Bahrain”.
The coronavirus threat has also shown, on the global level, how many countries are committed to their responsibilities towards their people and the world, including China, France, the UAE and Kuwait. In contrast there are rogue countries that do not value their citizens like North Korea in the second degree, and Iran in the first place.
Iran still opposes the world, and does not acknowledge its responsibility in the spread of the coronavirus. Everyone now knows the destructive role that Iran played when it concealed facts in this matter; although it recorded the second largest number of human losses due to the virus after China. Instead, its supreme leader accused the outside and “foreign” media of using the coronavirus as an excuse to strike the legislative elections and discourage people from voting. In fact, I am surprised how the total number of virus infections recorded by Bahrain, Kuwait and the UAE among citizens who came from Iran is greater than the sum of the cases that Iran has formally announced as recorded cases so far!
The ordeal has also shown rogue officials, among them Lebanese officials, who have so far refused to stop flights between Lebanon and Iran; and once again prove that they are mere cowards who exist in their seats of power with the consent and blessing of the Tehran mullahs, and not with the consent and blessing of the Lebanese people. It also proves that they do not care for the health and life of the ordinary Lebanese citizen, who is steeped in poverty, high cost of living, and trash.
In our current crisis, we discovered once again how small and intertwined the world is, and how a problem that began just two months ago in a Chinese province could terrorise the whole world, disrupt airports, festivals, and games, paralyse tourism and trade and lead to a global economic recession.
The world has experienced many tribulations much greater than the coronavirus and managed to overcome it, and only in recent years have viruses such as swine flu, avian flu, rift valley fever, and others emerged, all of which are now behind us.
So, we will pass through the plight of coronavirus, God willing, and with our co-operation and togetherness, within the united Team Bahrain, give others another lesson on how we assume our responsibility towards each other and the world.
akram@fp7.com