Abdul Amir al-Jamri facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Abdul Amir al-Jamri
Religion	Islam
Personal
Nationality	Bahraini
Born	(1938-03-01)March 1, 1938 Bani Jamra, Bahrain
Died	December 18, 2006(2006-12-18) (aged 68)
Cause of death	Multiple organ failure
Senior posting
Title	Sheikh
Religious career
Website	aljamri.org

Sheikh Abdul Amir al-Jamri (ahb-DƏL-_-Ə-meer-_-al; Arabic: شيخ عبدالأمير الجمري; 1 March 1938 – 18 December 2006) was an important Shia religious leader and a key figure in the political opposition in Bahrain. He was also a writer and a poet.

Born in the village of Bani Jamra, al-Jamri became a religious speaker after finishing primary school. At 21, he began studying Islamic teachings in Bahrain. Later, he continued his studies for 11 years at a religious school in Najaf, Iraq.

In 1973, he returned to Bahrain and was elected to the new parliament. However, the parliament was closed two years later by the Emir, Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa, after it disagreed with a new security law. In 1977, al-Jamri became a judge in Bahrain's High Religious Court. He held this job until 1988, when he was briefly arrested for speaking out against the government.

Al-Jamri is best known for his leadership during the 1990s uprising in Bahrain. He brought together different groups, including religious people, liberals, and left-wing activists, to work against the monarchy. This movement started with people asking for the parliament to be brought back and the country's rules (constitution) to be followed again. These events led to protests and some violence. Because of his work for people's rights, al-Jamri was put in prison several times between 1995 and 1999. After that, he was kept under house arrest for a year and a half.

In 2001, al-Jamri and other opposition leaders were released. The new emir, Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, suggested a plan for reforms. This plan was accepted by many people. However, a year later, the emir introduced a new constitution that al-Jamri felt did not meet the opposition's goals. Feeling disappointed, al-Jamri became ill. He suffered several strokes and eventually died from organ failure.

Early Life and Religious Studies

Abdul Amir al-Jamri was born in Bani Jamra, Bahrain, on 1 March 1938. His full name was very long, but he was also known as Abu Jameel. His father was a teacher of the Quran and ran a textile workshop. He came from a religious Shia family. Al-Jamri's father taught him the Quran and basic Islamic prayers when he was six. His father died four years later. Al-Jamri finished primary school at age twelve. After that, he became a religious speaker, learning from others in his village. He also worked in the Manama Souq (market) until 1962.

In 1957, al-Jamri married Zahra' Yousif Atiya al-Jamri, who was 16. In his book, The Story of My Life, he wrote about his happy marriage. He praised his wife for her patience and loyalty. They had 10 children together: 7 sons and 3 daughters. One of their sons, Mansoor Al-Jamri, later became a newspaper editor.

In 1959, al-Jamri started his religious studies in Bahrain. His teachers included Sheikh Abdulla al-Bahrani and Sheikh Baqir al-Asfoor. In 1962, after his mentor died, al-Jamri went to Iraq. He studied Islamic theology and law at a religious school in Najaf. He was guided by important scholars like Ayatollah Mohammad Baqir al-Sadr and Abu al-Qasim al-Khoei. He reached the highest level of study in religious schools. He also wrote religious articles for Iraqi newspapers and magazines.

While in Iraq, al-Jamri used a different name, Abdulla Mansoor Mohammed. This was to avoid problems when traveling through other countries. It also helped him avoid trouble with Iraq's government at the time, after he gave a speech against them in 1970. After 11 years in Iraq, al-Jamri returned to Bahrain in 1973. From 1973 to 1981, he often appeared on Bahrain TV. He gave religious talks during special Islamic times like Ramadan. In 1985, he started a small religious school next to his house.

Member of Parliament

Bahrain became independent from the United Kingdom in 1971. In 1972, a group called the Constituent Assembly wrote a new constitution. Al-Jamri, like his friend Isa Qassim, first wanted to finish his religious studies. He was not very interested in politics. However, his mentor in Iraq, Mohammad Baqir al-Sadr, said it was important to take part in the 1973 Bahraini parliamentary election.

Al-Jamri and five others formed the "Religious Bloc." This group wanted to support workers' rights. They also called for following traditional Islamic customs, such as discouraging alcohol. Al-Jamri was elected to the National Assembly of Bahrain. He was the second most popular candidate, after Isa Qassim.

In August 1975, the Emir, Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa, closed the parliament. He also stopped the constitution from being used. This happened after the parliament rejected a new State Security Law. This law, suggested by a British advisor, gave police wide powers. It allowed people to be held in prison without a trial for up to three years if they were thought to be a threat to the state. Al-Jamri was part of a committee that looked at foreign relations. He spoke out strongly against the State Security Law.

Judge and Activist (1977–1988)

From 1975 to 2001, the Emir ruled Bahrain by making laws himself. People who worked for human rights and opposition leaders often said that the government arrested many people without reason. They also claimed that people were treated unfairly. Many Shia people in Bahrain felt that the government treated them as second-class citizens.

Serving as a Judge

In 1977, the government asked al-Jamri to be a judge at the High Religious Court of Bahrain (Shia branch). Al-Jamri agreed after his teacher, Abu al-Qasim al-Khoei, gave him permission. This decision was unusual because many Shia religious leaders had refused to work in the government's legal system since the 1920s. Al-Jamri worked as a judge until June 1988. He was then suspended because he had criticized the government.

Speaking Out

After the Iranian Revolution in 1979, the political situation in Bahrain became more intense. Al-Jamri was part of several groups asking for changes. He was questioned many times and watched closely by the Security and Intelligence Service. In 1984, the government closed the Islamic Enlightenment institution, which al-Jamri was involved with. They also closed other meeting places and stopped public talks. However, al-Jamri opened his own house for daily meetings. He also held weekly public discussions. He continued to do this even though the government tried to stop him.

In 1988, the situation became very difficult. Al-Jamri ignored a final warning from the government. In June, he lost his job as a judge. In August, his son-in-law was arrested and sentenced to seven years in prison. In September, his older son was arrested and sentenced to ten years. The authorities then ordered al-Jamri's arrest. On 6 September, police officers came to his house. Al-Jamri's wife quickly went to the nearby mosque and called people using its speakers. Because of protests from neighbors, the police let al-Jamri go after only an hour.

Role During the 1990s Uprising

What Happened

From 1994 to 1999, Bahrain experienced a period of civil unrest. During this time, different groups, including liberals and religious people, joined together. They demanded democratic reforms. This uprising was the biggest in Bahrain's history. It involved many demonstrations and some violence.

In 1992, 280 important people signed a petition. They asked for the parliament to be brought back. They also wanted the old constitution to be used again. They called for political prisoners to be released and for talks to begin. The government did not agree to their demands. Instead, it created a council of thirty appointed members. This council was meant to "comment" on laws suggested by the government. In 1994, another petition was started. This one was open to all citizens. The organizers said they collected over 20,000 signatures.

Violence started in June 1994. Police used tear gas on 1,500 protesters. These protesters were demonstrating in front of the Ministry of Labor. They were protesting against the rising unemployment rate, which had reached 15 percent. Over the next few years, many opposition leaders were arrested or sent away. Some protesters used firebombs to attack police stations and banks. Police used tear gas and rubber bullets. It was also reported that police used real bullets in some cases. About forty people died during this time. This included some people who were in police custody.

During the uprising, al-Jamri became a very important figure. He was seen as the main leader of the opposition. Many people saw him as a father figure and a spiritual guide. For Shia Muslims, he was their spiritual leader. He was a key person behind the 1992 and 1994 petitions. He also had good relationships with non-religious and liberal opposition groups. He helped unite them into a strong movement. Because of his work for democracy, al-Jamri was arrested and kept under house arrest for years.

First Arrest

In 1995, after clashes between police and students, the government accused al-Jamri of having ties to Iran. They said he wanted to create an "Islamic republic" in Bahrain. Al-Jamri denied these accusations. However, on 1 April, the government blocked off al-Jamri's home village of Bani Jamra. They placed him and 18 members of his family under house arrest. At least one person was killed and 16 others were hurt during clashes with police. This day became known as Black Saturday. Two weeks later, al-Jamri was moved to a detention center. He and other opposition figures were released on 25 September 1995. This happened after a deal with the government to calm the situation. In return, talks about bringing back the parliament would begin. Tens of thousands of Bahrainis gathered to welcome al-Jamri after his release. He gave a speech where he promised to stay true to the hopes of the Bahraini people.

Second Arrest and Trial

On 23 October, al-Jamri and other released activists started a 10-day hunger strike at his house. They were protesting what they called the government's failure to keep its promises. Tens of thousands gathered to support the activists on the last day of the hunger strike. On 21 January 1996, al-Jamri was arrested again. Seven other opposition leaders were also arrested. This happened after the talks with the government failed. The arrests caused more unrest. The activists denied charges of forming a group called "Bahraini Hizbullah" or getting support from Iran.

Al-Jamri spent three and a half years in prison. He was reportedly kept alone for the first nine months. On 21 February 1999, about three years after his arrest, al-Jamri's trial began. On 7 July, the court found him guilty. The charges were "spying and causing unrest against the royal family." Al-Jamri was sentenced to 10 years in prison and fined a large amount of money. Many groups, including Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International, supported al-Jamri. Amnesty International called him a prisoner of conscience.

Release and Later Disappointment

Emir Isa bin Salman died suddenly on 6 March 1999. His oldest son, Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, became the new emir. The new emir pardoned al-Jamri and released him a day after his conviction, on 8 July. However, al-Jamri was placed under house arrest until 23 January 2001. Before being pardoned, al-Jamri had to appear on national television. He read a letter apologizing to the Emir. Meetings between the Emir's representatives and al-Jamri took place during his house arrest. In the following days, more political prisoners were released. People who had been sent away were allowed to return. On 8 February, al-Jamri and three other opposition leaders met with the emir. They discussed his reform plans, called the National Action Charter of Bahrain.

The Charter suggested having a constitutional monarchy. This means the king would share power with an elected government. It also called for an independent judiciary, meaning judges would be fair and not controlled by the government. It proposed a two-house parliament. One house would have elected representatives, and the other would have appointed members. The Charter also gave equal rights to men and women. It said all Bahraini citizens had equal political rights, including the right to vote. In the 8 February meeting, the government promised that the new political system would not cancel the 1973 constitution. They also said the appointed upper house would only give advice.

The next day, after leading Friday prayers, al-Jamri gave a famous speech. He said he had missed the people very much. Then, another leader announced that the opposition had decided to accept the reform plan. The National Action Charter was voted on in a public vote on 14 and 15 February. It received huge popular support, with 98.4% voting yes. In November 2001, a Shia political group called Al Wefaq was founded. Al-Jamri was seen as its guide.

On 14 February 2002, the Emir introduced a new constitution. This new constitution gave the Emir wide powers. It also gave the appointed upper house more power than the elected lower house, including the right to make laws. The good relationship between the opposition and government ended. Al-Jamri said he was disappointed with the new constitution. He stated that it did not meet the opposition's demands. He said, "this is not the type of parliament we had demanded."

Illness and Death

While under house arrest in May 2000, al-Jamri suffered a heart attack. He was taken to the Bahrain Defence Force Hospital and had surgery. During his stay, the King and Prime Minister visited him. In May 2002, al-Jamri traveled to Germany for spinal surgery. During medical checks, doctors found a blood clot behind his eye. This clot had developed when he was in prison. After the surgery, he had a stroke. He also developed kidney problems and an infection. He soon fell into a coma. He woke up from the coma on 30 June. However, he soon had a second stroke, which caused internal bleeding. This left him unable to move much for the rest of his life.

On 27 January 2003, al-Jamri was moved from Germany to a humanitarian city in Saudi Arabia. His health improved a little there. He returned to Bahrain on 12 July and was welcomed by hundreds of his supporters. His health got worse again. He suffered from repeated breathing problems and another stroke. In the end, he lost the ability to speak. In the early morning of 18 December 2006, al-Jamri was taken by ambulance to a hospital. He was announced dead. The cause of death was heart and kidney failure.

Aftermath

Funeral

Al-Jamri's death was announced in the morning. However, the funeral processions did not begin until after sunset. The funeral route was changed several times. Finally, it started at 6:00 PM in Muqsha village. It then moved along the west side of Budaiya highway to Bani Jamra. Al-Jamri was buried there at 10:00 PM. The weather was very cold for Bahrain. Yet, thousands of people showed up. They wore black mourning clothes and carried black flags. According to writers from Al-Wasat newspaper, it was the largest funeral in Bahrain's modern history.

Successor

After his health worsened in 2002, al-Jamri's role as a political and religious leader was taken over by his friend, Ayatollah Isa Qassim. Qassim was less revolutionary than al-Jamri. He had opposed the 1992 and 1994 petitions, but he kept his views private out of respect for al-Jamri. Al-Jamri's role as the main leader of the opposition remained empty. This was because the opposition groups became separated.

Images for kids

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  The religious block in Parliament. Sheikh Abdul Amir al-Jamri is on the right.

See Also

• 1990s uprising in Bahrain
• Isa Qassim
• Mansoor Al-Jamri