Ali Alaswad*

Real change takes time, nothing happens over night. From the cradle of civilisation until now, the common theme that unites human history is that we constantly adapt and never stop changing. In the previous century the world witnessed huge upheavals, the eradication of many forms of barbaric political systems such as the heinous apartheid regime in South Africa. But such systematic change is always a process, and the beginning of 2011 marked a period of great transformation for our region of the world.

But dictatorships would not be what they are if they melted into air without fighting to the last to stay alive. Across the Middle East, uprisings for social, political and economic change have been met with heavy repression and state force. It is fear that drives this repression. For they know, like us, that change is inevitable.

As we mark four years since the beginning of the uprising for democratic change in Bahrain we must keep this vision strong in our minds. 2011 was a time of great hope and belief of a better country that our ancestors dreamed of before us. But the response from the authorities was as brutal as it was predictable and remains as such today.

Four years on, we have lost martyrs, we have seen our leaders imprisoned and many of our lives have been turned upside down. But this is the great sacrifice we have made that will one day bring about an equal society in Bahrain. We stand on the shoulders of all of those who have suffered and it is their sacrifice that allows us to see over the top of this dictatorship and into the brighter future that will come our way.

The beauty of our movement is that despite the huge provocation we have faced, we continue to stand strong in a peaceful stance, refusing to be drawn into the armed conflict that will only benefit those who wish to sow divisions in our society. All over the world people look to us in Bahrain with admiration and respect that we continue down this peaceful path; never backing down but never veering from non-violent struggle.

Dictatorships seem all-powerful until the day they vanish. They build both a physical and mental presence, as a tool of repression, to seem all-controlling and as a solid power structure. But the reality in Bahrain is of an authoritarian system that is struggling to maintain control. As the great British poet, Percy Bysshe Shelley, wrote in 1819 "ye are many - they are few". Those seeking democracy and justice in Bahrain are the majority and it is only a small clique who benefit from this system of governance that stand against us.

With this knowledge and belief of better days to come we must also remind ourselves of what we are struggling for. The basis is of course equality. All citizens, regardless of sect, must be treated as equals under the eyes of the law, in employment and housing, in religious practice and in all other aspects of social, political and economic life. This is the very basic necessity of what we deserve as human beings.

We know that such a society can only be materialised through a system that is based on political inclusion and not marginalisation. A truly representative system means that the vote of the school janitor and the government minister are equal, regardless of their economic wealth, religious sect, ethnicity or any other variable factor. This is the Bahrain we want to see and this is the Bahrain we are working so hard for.

In recent months we have been concerned by ongoing reports of Bahraini members of ISIS fighting in Syria and Iraq. If they are fighting abroad, then no doubt they are at home too. If nothing else serves as a warning of a sectarianised society then at least to save our country from the murderous ideology of this bloodthirsty group we have to move away from divisions. There is so much at stake, these are tumultuous times and whilst change is inevitable, we must make sure that any societal transformation is for the better.

In an unstable land, vultures circle in a hope to prey from suffering and feed their blood hunger. This shows all the more the urgency of Bahrain moving towards a lasting stability, or else the vultures will take control.

Lasting stability means no more broken promises, such as the National Action Charter of 2001. Short term fixes and promises of reform do not suffice anymore. The people of Bahrain have seen beyond this and will not stop demanding their rights until they have been clearly achieved. This responsibility lies too with Bahrain's international friends. It is in their interests, as well as the people of Bahrain, to see a stable country that is open for trade and business. Instability does not breed economic success.

We stand for an independent Bahrain, free from the control and influence of dominant regional powers. A Bahrain that is run by and equally represents its own people. We know it will come but how many of us have to die before this is finally realised?

The Shelley poem referred to earlier reads:

"'And if then the tyrants dare

Let them ride among you there,

Slash, and stab, and maim, and hew, -

What they like, that let them do.

'With folded arms and steady eyes,

And little fear, and less surprise,

Look upon them as they slay

Till their rage has died away."

These two verses perfectly encapsulates the resolve of the Bahraini people, to peacefully face down their oppressors, to stand strong and not give up until our demands have been met. Whether it be another 4 years, 14 years or 40 years, history is defined by moments like this. Bahrain's history is being written as we speak, the birth of a proud and successful democratic nation.

*Former Bahraini MP, opposition