Contested spaces and sectarian narratives in post-uprising Bahrain. Issue 4 (1st October 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kasbarian, Sossie; Mabon, Simon
• Is Part Of: Global discourse. Volume 6:Issue 4(2016)
• Page Start: 677
• Page End: 696
• Publication Date: 2016-10-01
• Subjects: Bahrain -- sectarianism -- geopolitics -- narratives; International relations -- Periodicals; Political science -- Periodicals; Social sciences -- Periodicals; Civilization, Modern -- 21st century -- Periodicals; 320.01
• DOI: 10.1080/23269995.2016.1259232
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2326-9995

Abstract

ABSTRACT: In early February 2011, people took to the streets of Manama, Bahrain, protesting against the political system of the Al Khalifa monarchy. Although initially occurring along non-sectarian lines, the protests were quickly framed as such and, as a consequence, the nature of the protests changed. This article engages with this process of sectarianism, exploring how space became contested and how such sites took on political – and sectarian – meanings. In the article, we argue that by framing the protests in such a way, the Al Khalifa regime was able to create a master narrative that impacted upon all facets of Bahraini society, at home and abroad.