Report of the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry

Chapter IV — Narrative of Events of February and March 2011
Friday, 25 February 2011
312. A day of national mourning was declared by the GoB in
remembrance of those who had died during the confrontations.
313. As is generally the case on Fridays, more protests were organised on
25 February than on previous days, and the protests were generally more
widely dispersed in the various parts of Manama and its surrounding villages.
Although demonstrations on Fridays usually begin after Friday prayers,
groups of people were reported to have gathered outside the emergency
department of SMC at 07:00.
314. During his Friday prayer sermon, Sheikh Ali Salman, the Secretary
General of Al Wefaq, commended the people of Bahrain for maintaining the
peaceful nature of their protests and avoiding confrontations with police
forces. He also encouraged demonstrators to remain peaceful and stated that
this would bring them closer to achieving their aspiration of a democratic and
civil society in which the people are vested with authority.
315. Large numbers of demonstrators emerged from Friday prayers and
immediately joined protest marches, many of which headed to the GCC
Roundabout. One of the largest of these marches proceeded down the King
Faisal Highway in the direction of the roundabout. Demonstrators chanted
various slogans, including, “The people demand the removal of the regime”,
and, “Erhal…erhal” (“Leave…leave”), which was usually directed at either
the regime or the monarch. Some demonstrators also chanted, “The people
demand the removal of the King”. There were also banners rejecting any
form of dialogue. In addition, some demonstrators denounced Bahrain
Television for airing what they considered to be inflammatory programmes
that incite to sectarianism.
316. Other demonstrations were reported in various parts of Manama and
neighbouring villages. One of these demonstrations began at 14:00 and
included around 1,200 individuals who proceeded towards the Hawaj Stores in
the Gufool district. Meanwhile, over 1,500 protesters joined a march in the
areas of Mahooz and Saqya. At 16:30, a number of police participated in a
march that was heading down the Sheikh Khalifa bin Salman Road towards
the GCC Roundabout.
317. Throughout the day and into the evening, people of various political
affiliations and social background flocked to the GCC Roundabout, where
community leaders and political figures were giving speeches from the stages
that had been erected. Among the prominent figures who gave speeches were
Dr Abduljalil Alsankis and Mr Mohamed Habib Alsafaf.
318. Four political societies (the Constitutional Rally Society, the Islamic
Unity Society, the National Action Charter Society and the National Free
Thought Society) met at the National Action Charter Society’s headquarters.
These groups decided to form the “National Coalition” which, among other
things, declared its support for HRH the Crown Prince’s initiative for
dialogue. The National Coalition called for everyone to participate in these
discussions and asked that no group be excluded.
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