Sheikh Mohammed Ali Almahfoodh, Peace and Liberty from behind Bars in Bahrain – Letter from Prison to President Barack Obama

Peace and Liberty from behind the Bars
8 May, 2012 – Sheikh Mohammed Ali Almahfoodh

Dear President Barack Obama,

I, Sheikh Mohammed Ali Almahfoodh, Chairman of Amal Society in Bahrain, am writing to you this letter from my cell in Jaw Center of Rehab. This letter is going to be the beginning of a series of letters since I have no access to you in person or any representative from the U.S. administration. Since I love my country, and since I believe in my sincere just cause and call for freedom and democracy, I feel obliged to write this. I am writing to you from the heart of Bahrain’s misery, from the essence of the crisis. I am writing from my prison where many liberty and freedom seekers are hushed and muted because Bahrain is a strategic ally for the United States of America.

Mr. President, It is my pleasure to speak about the values of the United States of America. These values were carried out from American great fathers to you and all America by the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights. These values were reshaped in the modern American strategy of “spreading Peace and Democracy.”These values were inspirational to the movement of Bahrain on February 14th when the Bahraini people decided to seek freedom, dignity, and equality. These values were a model that thousands in Bahrain wanted to transfer and implement in the Bahraini experience. However, these values were stamped upon and smashed when it came to Bahrain. The United States administration has not displayed any genuine and serious stand to support the call for democracy, to support the streets’ struggle for justice and equality. This is not to belittle the continuous efforts played by the United States from behind the scenes. I want to assure you that I and all Bahrainis expect more to support our just cause.

Mr. President, In April 2011, the Minister of Justice declared dissolving the political parties but after a speech from the White house, it was cancelled on the very same day. Our society, Amal Society which is registered under the law of Bahrain, was not dissolved, but all the members of Amal were targeted and eventually imprisoned. My party and I were subject to severe torture and I will be very happy to tell the whole world about my experience in torture. The irony Mr. President is my handcuffs that have left marks on my hands and were never taken off my hands at all for 45 days were “made in US.” It is so ironic to see the country that “supports peace and democracy” is actually chaining my hands and chaining my freedom as well.

Mr. President, My party and I were put on Kangaroo trials and despite the lack of evidence, we all received sentences of 5-10 years. Currently we are in the appeal court and until now there is nothing but more postpones and more delays. The whole country is on delay. The country is in chaos since even the recommendations of the King are not implemented. If the King does not have a concrete authority, who is the real ruler? Who is the decision maker?

Mr. President, The United States has supported the BICI; but please allows me to highlight the fact that this committee lacks credibility and honesty. We met with the members of the committee many, many times – BICI will be discussed in more details shortly. In all the huge report there was no place for our society, Amal, which is an elite society and it is the second biggest society in the Bahrain. Amal was targeted in all its members and followers, and many cases are related to Amal in one way or another. Even if we try to support the BICI and forget their discrimination against our party, what was implemented from the report is practically nil, needless to state the increase in casualties and injuries.

Mr. President, After one year of 14 February, I think it is time to reconsider the options and strategies in Bahrain. What has improved so far on human rights level? What have changed in the country to the better? Did the crisis calm down? Who are the key players? Does the moderate party have any say to govern the street? Is there any moderate and extreme parties, and who has the right to do this classification? These are questions that require answers to solve the crisis in the country.
In conclusion, I hope my words and thoughts are clear to you and to the whole world. I am full of confidence that you as the leader who is carrying the values of Thomas Jefferson and Abraham Lincoln will understand my words which are uttered from behind the bars of my prison, from my heart that is longing to embrace dignity and freedom very soon.

Yours Sincerely,
Sheikh Mohammed Ali Almahfoodh
May 8th 2012