Bahrain Freedom Movement
Encyclopedia
Bahrain Freedom Movement (Arabic
: حركة أحرار البحرين الإسلامية) is a London based Bahraini
opposition group which has its headquarters in a north London mosque. Its main mouthpiece is the Voice of Bahrain website which was blocked for several years by Batelco
, Bahrain's sole Internet service provider
, on orders from the Ministry of Information.
The Bahrain Freedom Movement have been accused of being a front organization
for Iran
, following an investigation by the Evening Standard
into how the charity funds itself and its ties to the Iranian regime. Shehabi is also a prominent commentator on Bahrain in the Iranian official and semi-official media, including Press TV
and AhlulBayt News Agency, which have both taken part in the Iran’s alleged media campaign against Bahrain.
The BFM played a leading role in the 1990s uprising in Bahrain
.
It is led by Said Shehabi, who was formerly a member of Bahrain’s main Shi'a Islamist party, Al Wefaq Islamic National Society
but resigned along with several other members in September 2005 after it made the decision to end its boycott on parliamentary elections. Shehabi is a columnist with the London based Arab newspaper, Al Quds Al Arabi.
The Bahrain government’s political reforms in 2001 saw two of the BFM's most prominent leaders leave the movement. Under the reforms all exiles were invited to return to the Kingdom to participate in the political process, and leading members returned to their homeland.
Although all of its members have received political amnesties and most have returned to Bahrain to participate in the political process, several remain in London.
In London they convene semi-regular meetings at the House of Lords, hosted by Eric Lubbock, 4th Baron Avebury. These meetings are attended by a small number of Bahraini opposition figures, some of Lubbock’s family, and Iranian media outlets such as Press TV.
In 2010 the reforms that started in 2000 ended.
Arabic language
Arabic is a name applied to the descendants of the Classical Arabic language of the 6th century AD, used most prominently in the Quran, the Islamic Holy Book...
: حركة أحرار البحرين الإسلامية) is a London based Bahraini
Bahrain
' , officially the Kingdom of Bahrain , is a small island state near the western shores of the Persian Gulf. It is ruled by the Al Khalifa royal family. The population in 2010 stood at 1,214,705, including 235,108 non-nationals. Formerly an emirate, Bahrain was declared a kingdom in 2002.Bahrain is...
opposition group which has its headquarters in a north London mosque. Its main mouthpiece is the Voice of Bahrain website which was blocked for several years by Batelco
Batelco
Bahrain Telecommunications Company - - is the principal telecommunications company of Bahrain. The company is headquartered in Bahrain and is listed on the Bahrain Stock Exchange.-Ownership:...
, Bahrain's sole Internet service provider
Internet service provider
An Internet service provider is a company that provides access to the Internet. Access ISPs directly connect customers to the Internet using copper wires, wireless or fiber-optic connections. Hosting ISPs lease server space for smaller businesses and host other people servers...
, on orders from the Ministry of Information.
The Bahrain Freedom Movement have been accused of being a front organization
Front organization
A front organization is any entity set up by and controlled by another organization, such as intelligence agencies, organized crime groups, banned organizations, religious or political groups, advocacy groups, or corporations...
for Iran
Iran
Iran , officially the Islamic Republic of Iran , is a country in Southern and Western Asia. The name "Iran" has been in use natively since the Sassanian era and came into use internationally in 1935, before which the country was known to the Western world as Persia...
, following an investigation by the Evening Standard
Evening Standard
The Evening Standard, now styled the London Evening Standard, is a free local daily newspaper, published Monday–Friday in tabloid format in London. It is the dominant regional evening paper for London and the surrounding area, with coverage of national and international news and City of London...
into how the charity funds itself and its ties to the Iranian regime. Shehabi is also a prominent commentator on Bahrain in the Iranian official and semi-official media, including Press TV
Press TV
Press TV is a 24-hour English language global news network owned by the Iranian government. Its headquarters are located in Tehran, Iran, with bureaux in Beirut , Damascus , London , Seoul and Washington DC ....
and AhlulBayt News Agency, which have both taken part in the Iran’s alleged media campaign against Bahrain.
The BFM played a leading role in the 1990s uprising in Bahrain
1990s Uprising in Bahrain
The 1990s Uprising in Bahrain or 1990s Intifada was an uprising in Bahrain between 1994 and 2000 in which leftists, liberals and Islamists joined forces...
.
It is led by Said Shehabi, who was formerly a member of Bahrain’s main Shi'a Islamist party, Al Wefaq Islamic National Society
Al Wefaq
Al Wefaq National Islamic Society , also known as the Islamic National Accord Association, is a Bahraini political society, and the largest party in the Bahrain, both in terms of its membership and its results at the polls...
but resigned along with several other members in September 2005 after it made the decision to end its boycott on parliamentary elections. Shehabi is a columnist with the London based Arab newspaper, Al Quds Al Arabi.
The Bahrain government’s political reforms in 2001 saw two of the BFM's most prominent leaders leave the movement. Under the reforms all exiles were invited to return to the Kingdom to participate in the political process, and leading members returned to their homeland.
Although all of its members have received political amnesties and most have returned to Bahrain to participate in the political process, several remain in London.
In London they convene semi-regular meetings at the House of Lords, hosted by Eric Lubbock, 4th Baron Avebury. These meetings are attended by a small number of Bahraini opposition figures, some of Lubbock’s family, and Iranian media outlets such as Press TV.
In 2010 the reforms that started in 2000 ended.