For the love of my country

AS we celebrate National Day this year, take a moment to think what it means to you. Is it just a welcome two-day holiday?

Or do you stop and appreciate the envious lifestyle most of us enjoy in Bahrain?

I took some time this week to ask friends and colleagues what they thought made our kingdom so special.

My youngest son Khalid, was my first victim and he surprised me by saying that 'in Bahrain I feel anything is possible, and I feel safe and happy to live in such a peaceful country'.

Quite profound for a 17-year-old I thought, as I had imagined his priorities would lie in the direction of the Seef area and all those cinemas and malls.

However, his feelings seemed to echo most of those I questioned.

Most people mentioned the positive aspects of feeling safe and well-protected and less likely to be victims of crime than those living in other countries, and the 'practically free' medical care, as their favourite things.

Bugbears that Bahrainis and expats alike mentioned were the rising cost of living and the road traffic nightmares that we all face daily.

It's 28 years since I first arrived to work in Bahrain and fell head-over-heels in love with the island.

I was so impressed by the quietly accepting and tolerant attitude of the Bahrainis, who proudly welcomed everyone to their country and who were willing to so generously share their island with others.

Those things that first so impressed me still do, in the older generations, but not sadly in the majority of today's youngsters in Bahrain.

Bahrain has always been known for its religious tolerance and its policy of allowing each individual to make their own life choices and live their lives freely in harmony and unison, as long as they show mutual respect and abide by the law of the land.

When this mutual respect breaks down then problems begin to arise.

These days many mothers have to work due to economic necessity and the traditional extended family living arrangements are fading, leaving many children to be brought up mainly by domestic helpers and largely without those traditional family values being passed on through the generations.

It is so easy to see respect turn to disrespect and tolerance to intolerance and we can all envisage the outcome of such deteriation.

As parents, our first duty is to teach kids those lessons of respect, tolerance and good manners.

It is not the duty of teachers, who have a difficult enough job to do.

No matter your religious or ethnic background, these values remain vital if our society is to survive and flourish.

Yes, those huge shopping malls, high-rise buildings, luxury hotels and resorts and industrial projects are important to the future development of our kingdom, but they don't mean a thing without the kingdom's real riches - its people.

We are fortunate that His Majesty King Hamad is a visionary who can so clearly see the 'big picture' of Bahrain's future.

His belief in the importance of dialogue and the strength of national unity to overcome the challenges our beloved kingdom faces in today's world have earned him the respect not just of his own people but of other world leaders, who see Bahrain as a shining example in today's world of uncertainty and instability.

His Majesty recognises the importance of the hard work and determination of his citizens and has decreed men and women to be equal in the eyes of the law.

He created the Supreme Council for Women under the dedicated leadership of Shaikha Sabeeka to empower the women of the kingdom and ensure their valuable contribution to the country continues.

His Majesty recognises undisputedly the importance of education and healthcare for all and each citizen's right to employment and to live their life with dignity.

However, we as citizens not only need to recognise our rights but also our responsibilites and where better to begin than at home with those three vital ingredients of respect, tolerance and good manners?

Without them, His Majesty's visionary wisdom will surely fall on deaf ears and apathy, intolerance and bigotry will be the winners.

Our Prime Minister, Shaikh Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, works tirelessly to attract foreign inbound investment in the kingdom and at a time in life when most men look to take life a bit easier, he remains stoically committed to do his duty and serve his country to the utmost of his capabilities.

His unparalleled experience and knowledge play no small part in the harmonious daily life of its citizens.

The Crown Prince, Shaikh Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, seeks to find innovative solutions to the commercial, industrial and social future of Bahrain and his passion for putting Bahrain on the world map through activities such as the Formula One and other sporting events has proven the sceptics wrong as revenues from this sector continue to greatly boost the economy.

The world-class standards set by the Bahrain International Circuit continue to receive praise and awards, setting us apart from other circuits around the globe.

The Crown Prince's Scholarship Programme helps recognise and shape future leaders, many of them from underprivilged families, and send them abroad to study at some of the world's leading universities and colleges, where they undoubtedly excel and act as impressive ambassadors for Bahrain.

Whilst it is important to congratulate ourselves and Bahrain's leaders on our achievments, it is also important to recognise those areas where there is room for improvement.

I believe a strong Family Law needs to be implemented to ensure women and children receive their rights and are treated equally and fairly by the rule of the law and not merely on the whim or biased interpretation of certain individuals.

Road traffic safety and education needs to be addressed with a lot more passion and sustained commitment to help prevent the increasing fatalities and destruction of family life caused by thoughtless, reckless drivers.

Healthcare facilities and standards for a growing and ageing population need to be addressed as do fair employment opportunities and equally fair employment laws for employers and employees alike.

Education and vocational training need to fit the skills gaps in our market and more support for business entrepreneurs and small and medium businesses would go a long way to help revitalise and strengthen our economy.

As in every society, the poor and underprivileged still exist in Bahrain.

The authorities do their best to provide social assistance where it is most needed, but let's be honest, supporting others is a responsibility we should all share if we claim to live in a civilised society.

Thankfully, we have some pretty amazing individuals, clubs and associations in Bahrain that do wonderful work supporting the poorest families, the sick, the elderly and the weak.

I take this opportunity to thank all of them for their thoughtfulness and urge all of you to do something to help others during this National Day holiday.

Congratulations to all of you who truly love this special place we all live in ... Bahrain, the small kingdom with a big heart.