Pearl Square is the central square in Manama, the capital of Bahrain. The square is named for the pearl industry, which was once central to Manama’s economy.
Pearl Square has been the site of many demonstrations against Bahrain’s government. Bahrain’s ruling family belongs to the Sunni branch of Islam. However, many Bahraini Muslims belong to the Shī`a branch. For many years, Bahrain’s Shī`ite population has criticized the government and accused it of discrimination (unfair treatment).
In 2011, antigovernment protests took place in Pearl Square. The protesters sought democratic reform and the removal of the king, Sheikh Hamad Bin Isa Al Khalifa. Encounters between protesters and security forces sometimes turned violent. The king declared a state of emergency. He brought in troops from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates for added security.
In March, Pearl Square’s towering Pearl Monument, long a symbol of Manama, was torn down by government forces. The monument had become the focal point of the antigovernment movement.
In January 2012, the king announced constitutional reforms. Protests continued, however, and the Bahraini government announced a ban on the demonstrations.
