YOUR GUIDE TO A GREAT WAY OF LIFE Arts Culture Clubs Sports Interviews Lifestyle Dining Nightlife TECHNOLOGY - ENTERTAINMENT - DINING www.bahrainthismonth.com Digital Edition Since 1997 June 2022 | Vol. 26 | Issue 6 | BD2 / SR20 WTM DINING MOTORING PEOPLE In Conversation with ILA President 2022, Shipra Dhir Passi In Her Shoes – Sonali Thadani Bright Fits for the Season Beauty Essentials Parenting Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth ll Platinum Jubilee Anniversary The Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay Brunch National Boxing Team Member and Energie Fitness Trainer, Ariz Khan, on his Sporting Career The Best of British Motoring with Kristian Harrison UK IN BAHRAIN Special Edition
4 June 2022 www.bahrainthismonth.com/gallery bystander Germany-Bahrain 50th Anniversary Celebration On the occasion of the celebration of the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Federal Republic of Germany and the Kingdom of Bahrain, German Ambassador, HE Kai Thamo Boeckmann and his wife Samira Rofa, hosted a reception at The Diplomat Radission Blu Hotel.
www.womanthismonth.com June 2022 5 June 2022 Bahrain This Month George F. Middleton Publisher and Chairman COVER Cover Picture: UK in Bahrain www.bahrainthismonth.com Scan this QR Code to subscribe to the digital edition of the magazine. Printing Press Union Press, Bahrain Published monthly by RED HOUSE MARKETING P.O. Box 20461, Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain Tel: (+973) 17 813-777, Fax: (+973) 17 813-700 Email: [email protected] www.bahrainthismonth.com © Copyright Reserved 2005-2020 The concept, content, style and design of this publication remain the exclusive property of Red House Marketing (Jersey) Ltd. and must not be reproduced in any form whatsoever without prior written permission. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained in this publication. However, Red House Marketing cannot accept legal responsibility for any error or omission. • Views expressed in this magazine by journalists and writers are not necessarily those of the publishers of Bahrain This Month. Licensed by the Ministry of Information Publication Code: TA001 ISBN 1 899 348 09 3 1 YEAR SUBSCRIPTION Bahrain: BD24 Gulf and international subscriptions available on request. THE TEAM Publisher and Chairman George F. Middleton Editor Farah Baig Contributors Behnaz Sanjana, Bill Grieve, Kristian Harrison, Pria Masson, Ouiam Charkani El Hassani, Simran Tiwari Editorial Consultant Ahdeya Ahmed Print Production Manager Sabu Sebastian Art Director Hatem Monem Webmaster Nishad Eapen CRM & Database Coordinator Muna Yousef Staff Photographer Subeesh Kumar N S Administration and Finance Samson Vaz, Marlyn Ragasa Distribution Team CM Abdul Rahman, Gopal Arul Kumar Distributor Al Hilal Group (Hilal Direct Services) Media Sales Director Anuradha Manhas [email protected] DIGITAL & CONTENT MARKETING TEAM Digital Strategy Director Lini Reghunath Digital Marketing & Social Media Director Farah Baig Social Media Managers Simran Tiwari, Rohit Reghunath It is with a particular sense of pride that I introduce the latest edition of Bahrain This Month this June, which features a 48-page supplement (as well as a 10-minute documentary film) celebrating Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee anniversary of her rule since 1952, making her the world’s longest reigning living monarch. The relationship between Bahrain and the United Kingdom goes back 206 years and it is interesting to note that this one British sovereign has reigned over her subjects for 34 percent of that period! This media project celebrates in particular the extraordinarily close relationship that exists between the sovereigns of Bahrain and the United Kingdom. The late father of his Majesty, King Hamad, Shaikh Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa has a uniquely close relationship with Her Majesty and was one of the first heads of state ever invited to stay at the Queen’s residence at Buckingham Palace. The warmth and affection that exists between the UK and Bahrain is indeed legendary and the British Ambassador’s announcement on 1 st June, that Bahraini citizens now qualify for a Visa on arrival in the UK, can only further enhance the spirit of cooperation, collaboration and support between the two nations. Join us as we take you down memory lane and focus on the cultural, economic, trade and social relationship that exists between the two countries. Prominent individuals who have been part of this unique association, grace the pages of this supplement many of whom are included in our short documentary which will be available online for everyone to enjoy. As a Bahraini citizen, who first arrived on this beautiful island as a British citizen in 1979, this combined media project has certainly been a labour of love. I say, “Long Live the Queen” as I also say, “Long Live the King”, to both our sovereigns. And may the ongoing friendship between the UK and Bahrain endure forever more. While the festivities hold a very special place in our heart this month, be sure to flip through the pages of Bahrain This Month where you’ll find a very inspirational interview with the young National team boxer, Ariz Khan, and plenty of dining and entertainment options. In the Woman This Month segment, you’ll be brought up to speed by ILA President 2022, Shipra Dhir Passi, who urges the public to support the association’s charitable efforts. You’ll also find the best of fashion, beauty, living and more. It’s an issue with plenty for you to look forward to, so needless to say, Bahrain This Month as ever continues to be your guide to a great way of life!
6 June 2022 www.bahrainthismonth.com 10 17 64 76 72 70 14 JUNE HAPPENINGS INTERVIEW UK IN BAHRAIN DINING MOTORING COMMERCE ISSUE 298 CONTENTS www.bahrainthismonth.com bahrainthismonth bhthismonth 62 The best of events and entertainment this month. 10 Motoring News 72 Investor Readiness – A quick check Business expert, Pria Masson Tanwar, highlights how you can get your business ready for investors and while keeping some crucial factors in mind. Packing a Punch The ever-so-inspirational member of the National Boxing Team and trainer at Energie Fitness, Ariz Khan, tells Farah Baig about his achievements to date and his awe-inspiring goals. 14 A Supremely Good Bahrain Brunch Farah Baig savours the Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay’s extravagant brunch spread with countless live cooking stations, premium seafood, succulent meats and more at the picturesque Bahrain Bay Kitchen. 62 Exploring Great British Motoring As we celebrate Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee, Kristian Harrison takes a look back at the British automobile industry’s extensive and prestigious history. 70 Years of Bilateral Relations 17 June’s Culinary Happenings This month is jam-packed with dining offers and venues to be wowed by. Check them out in our listings that feature the best of the best options for you. 64 74 70 Business Bites 76 A Special Supplement Honouring the Relationship Between the UK and Bahrain, and the Platinum Jubilee Celebration of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II
June 2022 7 www.bahrainthismonth.com/gallery bystander Utkal Divas 2022 Bahrain Odia Samaj held its annual Utkal Divas (Odisha Day) celebration under the patronage of the Indian Embassy with Indian ambassador, HE Piyush Srivastava, in attendance at the Cultural Hall, Juffair. The event featured a performance by award-winning sand artist, Dr Sudarsan Pattnaik, in addition to an exotic fashion parade and display of 75 handicrafts from Odisha. Bahrain Odia Samaj was founded by Dr Arun Kumar Praharaj to celebrate the richness of Odia culture across the Middle East and beyond. IN BOOK NOW! 15%OFF FOR ONLINE TICKEt
June 2022 www.womanthismonth.com 8 JUNE ISSUE 230 CONTENTS Colour Me Pretty! Brighten up your wardrobe this summer with clothing and accessories in some truly eye-catching hues. Service Before Self Farah Baig speaks to the Indian Ladies Association (ILA) President for the year 2022, Shipra Dhir Passi, and is brought up to speed on the organisation’s activities. Must-Have Skincare! Smoothen, nourish, and cleanse your skin with our selection of high-quality skincare products this month. Your Summer Beauty Essentials 2022 You’ll be the freshest thing around this summer with our carefully curated selection of makeup, haircare and fragrances! Living Room in the Limelight Spruce up your living room so you can beat the heat in your stylish cocoon and relax. Sonali Thadani Born and raised in the Kingdom of Bahrain, Sonali Thadani’s sense of ambition, vibrant personality and skillset has led her to be the CEO of Baby Essentials and Director of Marketing at St. Christopher’s School, Bahrain. We take a walk in her shoes! The Power Struggle Ouiam El Hassani gives us some tips for peacefully parenting your strong-willed child. 86 91 90 92 94 97 96 FASHION PEOPLE BEAUTY LIFESTYLE In Her Shoes OPINION www.womanthismonth.com womanthismonth rhmbahrain 94 96 91 90 86 92 97
June 2022 9 www.bahrainthismonth.com/gallery bystander Barberia Bahrain™ Opening The grand opening of Barberia Bahrain™ - a Gentlemen’s Club and Salon, was held at Tala Plaza with DJ Giannis Nestor on the decks. The upscale fullservice barbershop offers a unique European Barbering & SPA Experience in Bahrain. Shop Online: shop.fakhroo.com
happenings www.bahrainthismonth.com/events 10 June 2022 STEP INTO THE FUTURE JUNE 14 TO JUNE 16 MEET ICT CONFERENCE & BITEX EXHIBITION GULF CONVENTION CENTER, THE GULF HOTEL WorkSmart for Events Management in partnership with The Bahrain Technology Companies Society (BTECH), will be hosting the tenth edition of the Information and Communication Technology Conference ‘MEET ICT’ and the Bahrain International Technology Exhibition (BITEX), from June 14 to June 16 June 2022. The event will be held under the patronage of the Minister of Transportation and Telecommunication, HE Engr. Kamal bin Ahmed Mohammed. The three-day exhibition, and two-day conference session will feature specialised workshops that will tackle comprehensive topics including Artificial Intelligence, Digital Transformation, 5G, Blockchain, FinTech, and Cybersecurity among others. Over 700 international delegates are expected to join while local, regional, and international IT companies are expected to showcase the latest in technology innovation at BITEX Exhibition. This event provides a conducive platform for bringing together private and public sector decision-makers, key players, IT experts, those interested in technology, and those who are passionate about networking, building valuable partnerships, reopening, and expanding business opportunities, to achieve the common goals of highlighting innovative trends, services, and products of ICT companies and enhancing the capacity of ICT enterprises. The MEET ICT conference and BITEX exhibition, are considered leading events in the field of ICT in Bahrain and will be held under the slogan “Leading the way towards the digital economy through artificial intelligence” this year.. For more information, visit www.worksmartbh.com/meetict.. The centre of Manama Souq is the place to go if you›re a foodie who wants to discover the best of ingredients, flavours and more. The ‘Food Tour’ is a walking cuisine and culture tour, designed to provide a rich and personalised experience. You›ll meander around the Souq›s winding alleys to the perfect spots to peruse, explore, and experience the most culturally rich places in Manama and a standing piece of Bahrain history while sampling a mix of local and regional flavours. The tour is priced at BD 5 per person, and takes place from 6PM to 9PM. Visit portal.btea.bh/ticketing. JUNE HAPPENINGS This one is for all art and marvel enthusiasts. Special Marvel-themed activities and art pieces, as well as projections and a highly fascinating series of workshops are all on the agenda. This is the perfect opportunity to unleash your creativity the marvel way. The art experiences are titled Groot Clay Modelling, Marvel Mask, Galaxy Slime and Avengers cake decorating. Whether you are five or 50, this is definitely an experience worth trying. Call ahead for exact timings.. Call 17 621-802. SUPER(HERO) ACTIVITIES! JUNE 15 TO 18 (VARIED TIMINGS) MARVEL ARTLY FEST ARTLY GALLERY & ART CENTRE EAT, EAT, EAT! EVERY SATURDAY & WEDNESDAY FOOD TOUR MANAMA SOUQ
www.bahrainthismonth.com/events June 2022 11 BOOK NOW The Grand Friday Brunch UNLIMITED BEVERAGES | LIVE MUSIC 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM RSVP : +973 3689737 @RAMEEGRAND.BH Special Early Bird Reservation Discount
happenings www.bahrainthismonth.com/events 12 June 2022 THE ULTIMATE SUMMER PARTY JUNE 10, 17, 24 ART POOL AND BEACH PARTY ART HOTEL & RESORT Eat, sleep, party, repeat! Indulge in a day of sun, sea and sand at the Playlist Pool and Beach Party happening every Friday this June. Head to the stunning Art Hotel & Resort for an unforgettable experience featuring incredible DJs, a saxophonist and percussionist, dance and fire shows, games, a virtual reality corner and more! Pre-sale tickets are available https://www.wanasatime.com/events/ ArtPoolfrom BD 10 onwards and will be priced at BD 25 at the door. The party starts at noon and goes on till midnight. Call 37 777-845. THOSE SICK BEATS EVERY THURSDAY AND FRIDAY UNDERGROUND MUSIC NIGHTS OVER 338 Get your weekly dose of techno at OVER 338. Witness incredible beats from local DJs as you immerse yourself in the heart of deep house. There’s no better place to be with Over 338’s fantastic set-ups, stacked lineups, and an incredible venue in the heart of Adliya. Call 39 781-234. MUSIC FOR THE SOUL JUNE 24 PLAYLIST LIVE NIGHT AT BO.SABI DIPLOMAT RADISSON BLU HOTEL Nothing beats the excitement of seeing a live band perform. At the Diplomat Radisson Blu Bahrain, Playlist Entertainment will present a broad mix of performers, musicians, and bands, making it the place to go for spectacular entertainment and loads of fun. Enjoy the sounds of local bands performing the best of alternative, reggae, fusion funk, electronic, rock n’ roll, and more! Call 37 777-845. GRAB YOUR POPCORN! JUNE 7, 14 AND 28 THE RAVEN’S NEST MOVIE CLUB THE RAVEN’S NEST, BUDAIYA Here’s one for the movie buffs. Enjoy fun movie night experiences at The Raven’s Nest hosted by the renowned film critic and writer, Ahmed Zayani. Raven’s Nest promises nothing but the best selection of movies for you and your friends to enjoy in the presence of like-minded people. A cosy atmosphere, delicious variety of food and beverages coupled with the best company is what you can expect. The schedule for June is as follows: 7th- Jurassic Park, 14th - Back to the Future, 28th - Jaws. Don’t miss out on these classics, each of which will take you down lane. We recommend booking ahead, and reaching early to secure your seats before the movie starts at 8pm. The fee is BD 2 per head. Call 33 448-477.
June 2022 13 www.bahrainthismonth.com/gallery bystander Florencia Icecream Seef Branch Opening The Luxury Lifestyle Awards winning ice cream shop, Florencia Icecream, held a grand branch opening party allowing guests to savour its delicious handcrafted icecreams. The branch, which was opened at The Spot in the Seef district is the ice cream shop’s 5th branch in the Kingdom of Bahrain.
14 June 2022 www.bahrainthismonth.com Being an athlete is no easy feat. Those that are determined enough to venture into the field and ‘make it’ must possess several qualities that, quite literally, enable them to go from strength to strength. They have to be disciplined, motivated, goal-oriented and have a passion for sports while being physically, mentally and emotionally strong. This month, we had the pleasure of meeting one such individual – a committed young member of the National Boxing Team and trainer at Energie Fitness, Ariz Khan. He tells Farah Baig about being discovered, his achievements to date and his aweinspiring goals. Packing a Punch interview
Given that the Republic of India has a population of well over one billion, being chosen to be a member of their National Boxing team is quite the feather in one’s cap. At just 22-years-old, Ariz Khan can proudly state that he has not only been a member of the Indian National Boxing team, but is also currently a proud member of Bahrain’s National Boxing team – a seasoned young athlete through and through. Ariz has achieved a lot in the fighting arena and fitness industry over the last 12 years, but his passion for boxing started when he was just a young boy. “I was just nine or tenyears-old when I’d watch my brother come home from boxing training. He’d have messed up clothes and be tired but he was clearly extremely happy, so I was naturally curious. ‘What could it be that makes him so happy?’ I’d think to myself,” he reminisces. Clearly fascinated by the idea, the young Ariz expressed his interest in being a part of the next training camp, and so, his beloved late father brought him all the gear he needed for what would lay the foundation for Ariz’s career as an athlete. “He’s the one that supported me and got me started,” he says. “By 2015, I had received a silver medal in the national championship which drew the attention of the Indian National team,” says Ariz, who Is originally from the Indian state, Chattisgarh. “So, I moved to Bombay in 2015 where I trained with the national team. There was a total of 40 fighters including myself, 15 coaches, two doctors and several teams, and we’d have three training sessions a day – it was intense, but it was a fantastic experience.” While attending international fights in 2018, Ariz visited the Kingdom of Bahrain where he represented India in a World Championship – a turning point in his life. “It was then that I’d met Ahmed Mirza, the owner of Energie Fitness. He contacted me when I returned to India asking me if I’d be interested in moving to and being employed in Bahrain, and the rest is history,” he says. Ariz has now lived in Bahrain for the last three years and has continued to train avid gym-goers and fitness enthusiasts at Energie Fitness in Juffair. “I honestly believe that people in Bahrain are crazy about fitness and love sporting activities. In fact, I was the first employee at Energie Fitness and have seen the guy that joined on the first day come in nearly every single day up until now,” he says. A year following his move to the island, Ariz began posting his training videos online which soon caught the attention of the Head Coach of Bahrain’s national boxing team, Tony Davis. “He reached out to me and asked me if I would like to join the national team, and we had a conversation about my accomplishments as a member of the Indian National team, at international fights and championships,” he states. “Tony has a lot of experience, is a 3-star International Boxing Association Coach and Technical Development Manager. Training with him has been an invaluable experience and I am extremely grateful for all his guidance,” he says. “He has helped me make tremendous improvements to my tactics and techniques, he’s taught me how to defend and attack and imparted some classic boxer tactics.” Considering the fact that fighters are faced with an opponent that is literally throwing punches means they have to think fast and have skills that surpass their opponent. “Being a fighter involves more than strength, it’s learning to think quick and Tony’s guidance has helped tremendously to further develop my skills,” he says. Ariz has been a part of the national team since 2020 and looks forward to continuing to be a contributing part of it. His goal is to continue training with the team and represent the Kingdom of Bahrain at the Olympics in 2024. “I believe that sports and fitness in Bahrain is going to continue to develop tremendously under the guidance of HH Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa and HH Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa. They are constantly supporting athletes, promoting sporting events and encouraging a healthy lifestyle among the public too,” he says. Over the years, Ariz has gained tremendous sporting experience and accumulated several illustrious sporting accomplishments. “The last fight at the Royal Rumble held at Bahrain Rugby Football Club was really special to me along with the Brave Fight. The Royal Rumble was really a big change for me and motivated me to work even harder,” he says. In just over a decade, Ariz has gone from being a curious young boy to an accomplished fighter who boils his success down to consistency. “Training, training, training. Even in 2020, whether we were going through a lockdown or gyms were closed, I always trained. I’m extremely active, lead a healthy lifestyle and even go to bed early on a Thursday so I can wake up at 4.30 am on Friday and go Dragon boating,” he says. “That’s what it all comes down to – training.” When asked what his advice for people wishing to get into boxing would be, he graciously concludes: “Just join a gym with the right equipment and train. Just start. Don’t overthink it or be nervous, just give it a try. The boxing community is very welcoming regardless of your fitness levels.” June 2022 15 www.bahrainthismonth.com interview
16 June 2022 www.bahrainthismonth.com/gallery bystander partnership that started in the late 1800s by the people of our two nations joining hands and working together for their mutual benefit. This spirit of partnership, friendship, and connection continues to this day.” Ministers and senior government officials, diplomats, businessmen, Shura Council members, members of Parliament, academics, and journalists attended the ceremony. USA’s 246th Independence Day Celebration The US Embassy celebrated the 246th anniversary of the independence of the United States of America at the Ritz Carlton Hotel. Independence Day is a very special occasion for Americans, as it represents an opportunity to celebrate the democratic principles that were the basis the Declaration of Independence in 1776 and that have been sustained for nearly two and a half centuries. It is also an important day to reflect on the strength of the US-Bahraini partnership. US Ambassador, HE Steven C. Bondy remarked on the occasion of America’s Independence Day: “The US-Bahrain friendship is one of the oldest and closest in the region, based on a
70 Years of Bilateral Relations A Special Supplement celebrating the Platinum Jubilee of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and the historic relationship between the Kingdom of Bahrain and the United Kingdom UK in Bahrain June 2022 17 www.bahrainthismonth.com
FOSTERING HISTORIC RELATIONS Your Excellency, you’ve had an extensive career spanning three decades. Could you give our readers a brief summary of your experience? It sometimes doesn’t seem like such a long time, but I have gathered a bit of experience over the years, mostly in the Middle East - Syria, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Bahrain. It’s always been dealing with quite a mix of issues with prosperity trade investment being a common theme apart from security in some places. This is in addition to getting to know and develop relations with each of those countries. Experiences in Africa, the South Pacific and Fiji were also fascinating and provided a real contrast to working in the Middle East. What are your thoughts on Bahrain, compared to other countries you have been stationed at in the region? Well, I’ve always enjoyed working in this region - getting to know people and their culture. I find that its easier, quicker and warmer here in Bahrain than anywhere else. I have friends from other parts of this region, but we became friends with many people here quite quickly. It’s been a real joy to get to know people in Bahrain and work together with them on common enterprises. You were appointed the ambassador to Bahrain in April 2019. What do you consider to be the embassy’s most significant achievements during this time? Despite COVID, we’ve been able to continue to deepen and extend the relationships in many different fields that we have a shared interest in. Broadening the offer from the UK to Bahrain in the field of education has been one of the trade investments projects we have been working on. Where security and defence are concerned, I’m very proud that one of Her Majesty’s warships is now in the Royal Bahrain Naval forces. We’ve done a lot across the board, but the thing that I’m most proud of is that it’s going to be much easier for Bahrainis to travel to the UK with the electronic visa waiver scheme. What are your thoughts on the close bilateral relations that have existed between the UK and the Kingdom of Bahrain over recent decades? How could this be further strengthened? One of the things that struck me here is that Bahrainis understand and know the UK extraordinarily well, enabling them to select what it is in the UK that’s relevant here. When I look at the kind of courses that are being run here with support from British universities, that’s diversifying because Bahrainis understand that those choices are relevant to their future endeavours. This is not staying still; it continues to develop. I’m very impressed with the Bahraini youth and their different perspectives. What do you consider to be your major objective as ambassador during the remainder of your assignment in Bahrain? I’ve got a long time to go - a year and a half. I haven’t started to think of the end of it yet, but we’re clearly coming out of COVID, and moving forward we want to check that we’re pushing in the right direction - putting our effort in the right place. As ambassador, I want to be sure that we’re backing the right schemes, getting involved in the right projects, reassessing our priorities and discussing them with our Bahraini partners. Are there any significant or noteworthy contributions made by British citizens in Bahrain in recent years? Yes, quite a number. I’m very impressed when I talk to the universities here; you know the British University of Bahrain is perhaps the most notable, but there are others and the way they’re developing new postgraduate offer is something that has not been done here before. I’m also very impressed with the Bahrain British Business Forum (BBBF), which has a British and Bahraini joint leadership, and is going to give a new lease of life to business ties by turning into a Chamber of Commerce as part of the British Chambers of Commerce network. Could you highlight some of the most significant high-level delegations and VIP visits over the past 70 years? So, over the past 70 years, I think we have to think of the visit of Her Majesty to Bahrain in 1979. The relationship with the late Amir, Shaikh Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa, was very important for so many years. And I look at the visits to the UK by His Majesty and all of the things that have flown from that, and His Royal Highness had seen all the top people including the Prime Minister and His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales in London last year. So, I know that this is not something looking back, that’s only the historical visits, but those that have brought us to where we are today. And of course, we’ve had our own Prime Ministers here on many occasions over the last several decades because the UK-Bahrain relationship is special. It goes beyond the sort of individual components. There’s a real warmth to it on both sides and part of my job is to foster that. Turning now to the current status of trade between Bahrain and the UK. Has BREXIT provided any specific advantages for further developments in this regard? Yes, absolutely. So, I use as my benchmark the trade for the period right before COVID - the beginning of 2020, which was GBP 1.5 billion two-way goods and services, to both sides advantage, and after the pause and the changes around COVID, I think we’re going to bounce forward from that significantly. We’re about to start in the next few months negotiations for a free trade agreement with the GCC as a whole, and I think there’ll be FOSTERING HISTORIC RELATIONS In June 2022, the British Embassy, the British Community and the people of Bahrain will join together in celebration of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee Anniversary. On the occasion, Bahrain This Month spoke to the British Ambassador to Bahrain, His Excellency Roderick Drummond, about his time in the Kingdom so far and significant developments that are sure to enhance bilateral relations between the two Kingdoms. 18 June 2022 www.bahrainthismonth.com UK in Bahrain
some side agreements around that with Bahrain as well. The future is very bright. What are the most popular British products and services in Bahrain? We see lots of different professional services being offered in both directions. That’s a very strong sector that continues to grow. I think we’re seeing growth in manufacture which is going to start to take off over this next period. British firms are realising that talent is easier to recruit here in Bahrain than in London or other cities in this region, and are therefore setting up offices to take advantage of that and do part of their regional operations from here in Bahrain. The business-friendly nature of this economy remains very important and attractive in many sectors. How many British citizens currently reside in the Kingdom of Bahrain? Between 5,000 and 7,000 of which we believe 5,000 are permanently here and another couple thousand semi-permanently. That figure hasn’t changed in the last couple of years, but we are hearing of new firms coming in and setting up offices. There are Brits in every sector of the economy, Providing professional services in different ways: legal, insurance, financial and education. Some of them have also become Bahraini over time. Is there anything else you can say? Bahrain continues to delight and surprise me. I continue to find new things about this pearl… this small place in the middle of the Gulf. I’m very confident that, things are on the right track and the next several years are going to be very exciting period of optimism of growth and new developments. And the UK will be right here, part of it, working with our Bahraini partners to make it bigger and better. June 2022 19 www.bahrainthismonth.com UK in Bahrain
REPRESENTING THE KINGDOM The Kingdom of Bahrain and the United Kingdom have enjoyed strong diplomatic relations for several decades. On the occasion of the celebration of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth ll’s Platinum Jubilee, we spoke to the Kingdom of Bahrain’s ambassador to the UK, His Excellency Shaikh Fawaz bin Mohamed bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, about his thoughts on the milestone, his diplomatic experience and the historic ties. You’ve had a distinguished career since joining the Bahrain Civil Service Bureau in 1990. Can you give us a brief summary of your diplomatic postings and missions so far? Serving the kingdom, both at home and abroad has been the greatest honour of my career. My diplomatic posting began as an ambassador of the Kingdom of Bahrain to the Court of St James’s in 2015. I handed my credentials to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth ll in December 2015, serving as the Kingdom’s 11th ambassador to the United Kingdom, since we commenced our diplomatic relationship with the UK in 1971. Shortly afterwards, my mandate expanded to provide non-resident representation to some of the key countries in Western Europe including Netherlands, Ireland, Spain, Sweden, and Norway. Out of the countries in Europe, Bahrain has about five or six covering Western Europe. So, each ambassador covers quite a bit in terms of being a resident and non-resident ambassador basically the mandate there is to strengthen while supporting Bahrainis residing in those countries. 20 June 2022 www.bahrainthismonth.com UK in Bahrain
June 2022 21 www.bahrainthismonth.com What are your key observations about living in the UK? How does it compare to your previous postings? I’ve experienced living in the UK during my commissioning course in 1993 and have been coming here with the family and kids on a regular basis. So, when I was first appointed as ambassador here, it wasn’t a new place or significantly different than what I’ve been used to and I have felt right at home since day one. We are accustomed to a lot of things that are similar to Bahrain. What do you consider to be your most significant achievement since joining the Court of St James’s? There have been a few memorable milestones. I think we had a number of official visits either here in the UK or in Bahrain, His Royal Highness Prince Charles visited Bahrain, and he chose Bahrain for his only day off in the Gulf - a reflection of the depth of the relationship between the two countries. Here in the UK, His Majesty King Hamad usually comes every year for the Royal Windsor Horse Show and is hosted at Windsor castle every year. His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister’s first official visit abroad was to the UK where he met with Prime Minister Boris Johnson. So, all of these, plus I have almost 200 official visits per year from Bahrain to the UK. It’s quite a busy schedule here in the UK where we tend to a number of issues that are related. However, during the pandemic I saw quite a bit of work between our two governments, whether in terms of sharing knowledge, experience and knowhow. We saw it firsthand, a number of issues regarding dealing with the pandemic first, and were lucky to both recognise the issues related to it and address them very early on. So, we were lucky, in the UK and Bahrain, to overcome the pandemic with as little damage as possible. That was quite a significant cooperation between the two countries. How many Bahraini expats live in the UK and what’s the main reason for them being there? There are a few thousands of Bahrainis living here who feel right at home and we support them in any way we can. I think we’ve got three kinds of Bahrainis living here in the UK. We’ve got Bahrainis who are married into British families and are living with their partners here in the UK; Bahrainis that are working here in the UK in various fields; and Bahrainis that have graduated from universities here and are seeking experience in terms of getting jobs, internships or short-term working experience here. We also have over 50 doctors living and working here in the UK. What activities does the embassy of the kingdom of Bahrain in the UK undertake to promote cooperation and unity between the two countries? We have to basically engage, engage and engage. The embassy is focused on forging a strong relationship across all parts of society here in the UK, whether it’s policy shapers or taking people-to-people relations to new heights on a daily basis. So, we are engaged on all levels of people that influence policy here in the UK. What image of Bahrain does your embassy in the UK project to the host country? Well, the Kingdom of Bahrain has a bold vision for the future and HRH Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister held, in February of last year, his first wide ranging briefing since his appointment as Prime Minister. It was then that he made clear his ambition to unleash the full potential of the country’s economy, built on competition, innovation, adaptation and growth; a country that works with old friends and new allies across the globe to foster an open competitive environment with access to a global economy that rewards creativity and excellence. Our bilateral relations are anchored on a strong deeply-rooted partnership, not only in defense and mutual security interest, but trade, commerce and the bonds of friendship that go across the geographic borders in Britain and Bahrain. It’s not time to rest on our previous successes. Our nations are focused on having a meaningful, outward looking future where positive engagement and cooperation with global partners are more important than ever before. Yet, for all of this success, there is much potential yet to be unlocked. You’ve had several achievements in your career. Which of your experiences do you think have helped prepare you most for your role as ambassador? It’s been accumulating. I think the working experience whether when I first started at the Civil Service Bureau or later on as Head of the Youth and Sports Organisation, or at the Information Affairs Authority, builds up your experiences of how to engage and communicate with other officials, whether in Bahrain or abroad. So, I believe that it’s an accumulation of work that I’ve done before. However, I think what’s important is how to project Bahrain’s image and ideas abroad and how to foster these relationships that is key to making any diplomat’s work a success. From your experience, what personality traits are required to make a good diplomat in general? What I’ve seen here, considering that London is the largest host of diplomatic entities anywhere in the world with over 20,000 diplomats working and living here, is that communication is key. In addition, to become a successful diplomat here in London, being social and quite knowledgeable is essential because you’ve got a community here in London that understands the region very well. I think it’s very important to understand the politics of the region and how you can communicate that well. What are your personal thoughts about the Platinum Jubilee of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II? Do you have any words to share on behalf of Bahrain? The Platinum Jubilee is a testament to 70 years of opportunities and many challenges shouldered by Her Majesty the Queen throughout her reign. She has been a symbol of stability and continuity in an ever-changing world, living and working by her principles of service, duty and hard work is what many across the world who work in public service strive to emulate. We are glad to have been able to celebrate the Royal Windsor Horse Show with her recently and to mark both, her birthday and her Jubilee. The vocabulary of the Bahrain Royals who took part alongside the participating countries, and the concluding was a whole show, which was held and her part of the celebrations. They will also take part on June the second for celebrations in front of Buckingham palace as well. So, we will participate in a number of events during that weekend and wish Her Majesty all the best. UK in Bahrain
22 June 2022 www.bahrainthismonth.com UK in Bahrain A HISTORIC TIMELINE Exploring the historic diplomatic ties between the Kingdom of Bahrain and the United Kingdom 2022 2021 May HM The Queen extends personal invitation to HM King Hamad who visited the UK and attended the Royal Windsor Horse Show and a private luncheon at Windsor Castle July Maritime Component Command (UKMCC) – Commander Royal Guard Special Forces Visit. The United Kingdom Maritime Component Command and HMS MONTROSE hosted a visit by His Highness Lieutenant Colonel Sheikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Commander of the Royal Guard Special Forces. June United Kingdom Maritime Component Command (UKMCC) hosted a visit from Bahrain National Security Advisor His Highness Major General Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, for a visit to HMS MONTROSE. December The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Minister for the Armed Forces) Rt Hon James Heappey MP, visited Bahrain. Meetings with Bahrain National Security Advisor His Highness Major General Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa and Field Marshal Sheikh Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, Commander in Chief of the Bahrain Defence Forces February Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon, Minister for South Asia, North Africa, the United Nations and the Commonwealth at the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office visited Bahrain
June 2022 23 www.bahrainthismonth.com UK in Bahrain 2013 2014 2017 2016 2018 February Visit by Bahrain’s Parliamentarians to the House of Commons for talks with British Parliamentarians March Launch of UK-Bahrain Joint Ministerial Working Group January GREAT British Week took place. Hosted in conjunction with the third international Bahrain Air Show, the GREAT British Week was an important part of the build-up to mark the 200th anniversary of bilateral relations between the United Kingdom and Bahrain. January UK Prime Minister David Cameron visited Bahrain to meet with the Kingdom’s Crown Prince and business leaders June UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson received HRH Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa Crown Prince, and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Bahrain in Downing Street for an hour-long meeting on a range of issues from trade to security. December UK Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson makes speech at the Manama Dialogue in Bahrain April New Royal Navy operations hub opens in the Gulf. December Prime Minister Theresa May’s visit to Bahrain and the Gulf Co-operation Council January 200th anniversary of Bahrain-UK relations. November Visit to Bahrain by HRH Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall
24 June 2022 www.bahrainthismonth.com UK in Bahrain 2007 June On June 13, 2007, a co-operation agreement was signed between Bahrain Stock Exchange and the London Stock Exchange. 1979 February Visit by HM The Queen and HRH The Duke of Edinburgh to Bahrain. 1981 September Visit by UK Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher to Bahrain 1984 April State visit of the late Amir of Bahrain, Shaikh Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa to the UK 1995 The Bahrain British Business Forum was formed. 2006 Visit of the Princess Royal, Princess Anne, to the Kingdom of Bahrain during which she met with officials.
June 2022 25 www.bahrainthismonth.com UK in Bahrain 1938 The Princess Royal, Princess Alice and her husband the Earl of Athlone visited Bahrain and Saudi Arabia in the winter of 1938. She was the first member of the British royal family to visit the country and the only one to meet King Abdulaziz. 1956 2022 Political Agency Building – later British Embassy – was built on its current site in Manama 1971 December Bahrain formally becomes independent of the UK The Letter from British Ambassador to the late Amir of Bahrain, Shaikh Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa can be found in the Bahrain National Museum. 1976 January British Airways first Concorde Service from London Heathrow to Bahrain Platinum Jubilee Celebratory Events May 21st May Green Canopy Tree Planting and Tour of New Site (Nadeen School) 29th May St Christopher’s Jubilee Songs of Praise June 1st June British Preparatory School - Jubilee Cake Competition 2nd June Capital School - Jubilee Party Picnic 3rd June British Club Street Party and Dilmun Club Jubilee Brunch 4th June British School Jubilee Festival Lulu Supermarket British Week Launch 6th June Scout Group of Bahrain - Queen’s Green Canopy - Tree Planting 8th June Embassy Gala Dinner 10th June BBBF Jubilee Cocktail Evening
26 June 2022 www.bahrainthismonth.com UK in Bahrain MAKING HISTORY Celebrating the Platinum Jubilee of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and the historic relationship between Bahrain and the United Kingdom. On February 6, 2022 Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth ll became the first British Monarch to celebrate a Platinum Jubilee, marking 70 years of service to the people of the UK. To celebrate this unprecedented anniversary, several events were planned across the UK to mark this momentous occasion. On this milestone anniversary, we look back at some iconic photographs of HM Queen Elizabeth ll, who has always maintained close diplomatic ties with the Kingdom of Bahrain. Notably, in 1979, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II was welcomed by the late Shaikh Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa, the then Amir of Bahrain when she disembarked from the Royal Yacht Britannia on her visit to Bahrain with the Duke of Edinburgh during her sixnation Tour of the Gulf States, the first ever by a female Head of State. HM also visited an exhibition of local crafts at Budaiya Park, and went on a tour of the Bahrain Museum in Muharraq. During the tour Her Majesty met with crowds and high-level officials. Given the close ties between the two nations, the late Amir Shaikh Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa paid a state visit to the UK in 1984.
June 2022 27 www.bahrainthismonth.com UK in Bahrain
IN CONVERSATION WITH A KNIGHT Sir Tom, you were born here in Bahrain! How long were you resident here for, and how much of an influence did your formative years in the kingdom have on your later career? Indeed! I was born here in 1962 in Awali while my father was working for BAPCO. We left as a family in 1982 just after I turned 20, although for periods I was at boarding school in the UK because back then there weren’t really many opportunities for secondary education on the island using the UK curriculum. As for influences, you can’t live in a part of the world and not absorb some understanding of it. When, during my later career, I kept being brought back to the region, I felt I had a better understanding from having grown up here and lived in the Kingdom amongst Bahrainis and Arabs. Could you briefly summarise the highlights of your illustrious career to date? In particular, how did you get involved in the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS)? Having left Bahrain in 1982, I joined the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in 1984 and joined the British Army where I served for 34 years. For the first part of my career until 1991, most of the army was focused on the threat from the USSR. Then in 1991 there was the Iraq invasion of Kuwait which brought a lot of the armed forces back to the region and this was my first re-exposure to the Gulf, coming into Saudi Arabia and then being part of the enormous international coalition, which restored the sovereign boundaries of Kuwait. While in the desert in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia, I did get to pop back to Bahrain on two occasions which I greatly enjoyed! As we celebrate Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee, we spoke with one of the most influential figures in the historic relations between Bahrain and the United Kingdom, Lt Gen (Retd) Sir Tom Beckett. He is the Middle East executive director of the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) and was instrumental in bringing the Manama Dialogue, the biggest annual military and political conference in the Kingdom, to fruition. He opened up about his career and historic ties to Bahrain. UK in Bahrain 28 June 2022 www.bahrainthismonth.com
June 2022 29 www.bahrainthismonth.com UK in Bahrain The highlights of my career are undoubtedly the command appointments and operations. I was fortunate enough to command a parachute battalion and an armoured brigade. In the former, I took part in the 2003 operation in Iraq and then in the latter I was the last British commander to leave Iraq. Being there at the beginning and end of it, having done effectively four operations in the Middle East region from 1991 to 2003, will always stand out to me. As a result of that presence in the region and considering I was born here, an appointment called the Defence Senior Advisor, Middle East and North Africa came up and I was successful. That was my concluding job in the British military and to become a major part of the United Kingdom’s bilateral relations with the region was an amazing highlight. Finally, because of that, when the role with IISS came up, it just fitted neatly together and I came back to Bahrain where it all began! The IISS has been a hugely important factor in diplomatic and political relations internationally. What is your specific role and how would you describe the Institute’s ultimate goals and objectives? Its higher purpose is to promote international peace and security. We do this by being an independent of government research institute with a focus on strategic studies. We look at conflict that could have a significant military dimension. We’re in our 63 rd year of being a heavily respected independent think-tank worldwide and it’s because of that intellectual underpinning that we can run events like the Manama Dialogue where we can bring together national leaders, ministers, policy-makers and more into Bahrain which is incredibly wellsupported by the government of Bahrain. What do you consider to be the most important highlights of the Manama Dialogue since its inception? The Manama Dialogue has two primary goals. The first one to bring, as mentioned previously, leaders and military figures together to present how they see regional conflicts going. The only thing we ask in return is that they take questions from an informed and expert audience that we have invited and that works very well. We air things, we challenge policy positions and everyone gets a better understanding of security issues in the region. The second is providing all attendees with a concentrated opportunity for bilateral engagement. We often see countries that might publicly disagree having private bilateral agreements which is obviously a good thing as it promotes international peace and security. What has the Manama Dialogue done specifically to boost ties between the UK and the Middle East? The UK has a long and storied history with the Gulf and Bahrain was the seat of the British residency in the political agency. The two nations have always had a mutually positive relationship in terms of prosperity, security and stability. I also think when I look at it from a Bahrain perspective, His Majesty King Hamad retains a very strong affection for the United Kingdom and what it did for the Kingdom of Bahrain. You were knighted by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in 2018 on your retirement from the army. How proud were you to receive this award? I was exceptionally proud, although ‘absolutely amazed’ is the dominant emotion really. I couldn’t quite believe it when I took the call. It is slightly different than civilian awards, whereby they are asked and can accept or decline, but because we are military, we take orders and are not asked but given it. I didn’t expect it but after a 34-year career it was the most significant honour I could ask for. Finally, do you have any words you’d like to offer to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on the occasion of her Platinum Jubilee? As a long-term soldier, the Queen is our Head of State and thus also our Commander-In-Chief. Many of us who have served, as part of the medals we receive for operations, have received Jubilee medals such as the silver and gold ones and we wear them with pride just as we do with our operational ones because we are part of the British army. Her Majesty has been an incredible influence for the United Kingdom and I think that on her Platinum Jubilee, marking 70 years of unstinting service to the nation, is something that those of us who have also served the nation look on with the deepest admiration. Sir Tom Beckett (fourth from right) during an Awali School field trip to the tropospheric scatter station on the Jebel. (1973)
UK in Bahrain In 2020, after a career spanning 42 years, George Williams retired from his position as the editor-in-chief of the Gulf Daily News. To this day, it remains the highest-circulated English language daily newspaper in the Kingdom, while the benefits his work brought to the press industry as a whole are innumerable. Furthermore, the newspaper helped to bolster ties between Bahrain and the United Kingdom in terms of story coverage and the simple matter of spreading the English language amongst the local community. Mr. Williams said: “I dedicated more than four decades of my life to the development of Bahrain’s press industry – hugely supported by Anwar Abdulrahman and Ronnie Middleton. Between us we built Bahrain’s first daily English language newspaper from nothing into a formidable force for change. Despite challenging times for the print industry, I am very optimistic that, in tandem with online sites, it can still sustain significant reach and clout. “However, fake news pumped out constantly on social media does sicken me. Gone are the days when a newspaper was the main source of reliable, truthful news. An editor could control the veracity and honesty of every word he or she published. Now everyone thinks they can be journalists, so by the time a story is read in morning editions, several false and embellished “British links permeate deeply in the fabric of Bahrain society, business and culture. In fact, it has embraced the British concept of thinking in many facets of life. I’m proud of this. “In return, from Bahrainis I learned courtesy, tolerance, patience and self-respect, which are now the cornerstones of my daily life. “I would like to think that my efforts helped take English-language journalism in Bahrain to another level, and even into a golden era. I believe I have helped lay the groundwork in promoting press freedoms and reforms in Bahrain – helped by an amazingly enlightened King and Crown Prince who promise a bright future with vision. Mr. Williams reserved his final words for the Queen. He said: “The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee is immensely important to me as it marks the first time a British monarch has spent an unprecedented 70 years on the throne. I for one will definitely be attending functions and street parties here in the UK – as I hope will many Brits in Bahrain. What a milestone! I also look forward to visits here by members of Bahrain’s royal family, whose close relationship with three generations of British royals has spanned decades and endured. George Williams is one of the most renowned figures in local media, having held a long and distinguished career as the editor of the biggest English language newspaper in Bahrain. We found out how he used his position to bolster ties between the two nations. MEDIA’S VETERAN VOICE versions may have already been circulated online! “We must always strive to set the standard for ethical journalism and freedom of expression in Bahrain and regionally.” As the only British editor-in-chief in the Middle East at the time of his appointment, Mr. Williams worked tirelessly to strengthen the bond between his home and adopted nation. The GDN often worked closely with the British Embassy and the large British expat community in the Kingdom, whilst also involving itself in various Commonwealth Office surveys and initiatives. One particular highlight of his career was documenting the Queen’s visit to Bahrain in 1979. “I made a point of giving priority to any UK royal visit to Bahrain, and vice-versa, liaising closely with UK and local officials,” he said. We also carried many articles promoting Bahrain and British cultural activities, which I would often place with UK publications, news agencies, radio and TV stations. The famous Windsor Horse Show, sponsored by His Majesty King Hamad, was always a key fixture for example. 30 June 2022 www.bahrainthismonth.com
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