When Loyalty Is Tested: Bahrain’s Stand in a Time of Trial

By: Prof. Mona bint Rashid AlZayani, Chairperson of the Board of Trustees and Directors of Gulf University and Chair of AlHekma International School

I write today not from the vantage point of an academic exploring the concepts of loyalty and belonging, nor from a position that requires formal statements. Rather, I write from a much deeper place—from a living memory untouched by time, and an upbringing rooted in values so deeply embedded within me that they bore the fruits of loyalty and belonging long before I learned the meaning of these words from any book or classroom.

My father—may Allah have mercy on him and grant him peace in paradise—taught me that Bahrain is not merely a word written next to "place of birth," nor a title on a passport used to open closed borders. It is a trust carried in a Bahraini’s heart before it is written on paper—a responsibility and a commitment that precedes every right and privilege. He did not teach us through lectures or slogans, but through examples—through his actions, his service, and his unwavering commitment to the nation. He embodied these values through his daily interactions with society and the land.

I grew up witnessing how this upbringing translated into enduring deeds that carried his name—acts of service, not vanity. They stand as quiet testaments to a deep attachment to the homeland expressed through building and giving, rather than words alone. This, in turn, became my life’s mission: to instill these values in my children and ensure they pass them on to future generations.

I am adamant about this because there are moments in the life of a nation that leave no room for interpretation or ambiguity. These are moments when a person is faced with a single, definitive question that cannot be evaded or answered with diplomacy: Where do you stand regarding Bahrain in times of distress and trial?

If loyalty and belonging are not a heritage acquired through upbringing, role modeling, and practice, one will fail to answer correctly. Loyalty is not inherited by contract or document; it is passed down from father to son, from one generation to the next. We nurture our children with it because we know that answering that question is difficult when circumstances are harsh, and doors are bolted. This is the true test of loyalty. When times are easy, and life is flourishing, it is easy for anyone to claim it.

In recent weeks, as our Kingdom faced grave hostile attacks, our valiant Defense Force intercepted enemy missiles and drones, bringing them down in defense of Bahrain’s skies, land, and the people. Yet, in stark contrast, a small group of those holding Bahraini citizenship cheered the attacks, celebrating the targeting of the Kingdom and glorifying the enemy. More egregiously, some went so far as to offer support to those targeting the Kingdom, facilitating the aggression. These individuals made a clear choice—a choice at the expense of the homeland’s dignity, sovereignty, law, and its people.

We now see His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the Great King of the country, placing this issue in its correct moral and sovereign framework. He has made it clear to those not raised on the values of loyalty that citizenship is not merely a granted document; it is a covenant that must be protected. Whoever breaks it has effectively discarded it by their own hand, forfeiting the honor of belonging and the dignity of living on this pure land. Those who violate this covenant, through their actions, forfeit the honor and dignity of belonging to this nation.

Citizenship is a firm contract between the individual and the state, and this contract is bound by the actions of its holder; it may be nullified by their deeds before it is ever nullified by a court of law. His Majesty’s stance is one of wisdom and firmness—the stance of a leader who understands that protecting his people requires necessary decisions to safeguard the nation from those unworthy of its citizenship.

My beloved Bahrain, to which I have dedicated my life to serving, has been known throughout history for its openness and its ability to embrace diversity. It accommodates everyone in their differences through its deeply rooted civilizational values. However, it does not grant licenses for exploitation, and the diversity it embraces is not a gateway to treason. Bahrain grants its citizenship with generosity, yet it is the responsibility of its people to preserve it through loyalty and a deep sense of belonging.

This difficult chapter will pass, and history will remember those who stood steadfast when it mattered most—the Bahrain that stood firm against the storm under the wise and resolute leadership of His Majesty the King. Under his command, the nation repelled the enemy’s hostile missiles and drones, and subsequently responded to the betrayal of traitors with the rigor of the law, safeguarding Bahrain’s unity with absolute resolve.

Bahrain remains a trust upon our shoulders, its covenant preserved in our hearts, and His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa stands as its faithful guardian, guiding us towards excellence, progress, and prosperity.