bahrain protests began with the 14 february 2011 protest, mostly by the shia muslims making majority of bahrain population, which faced immediate reaction from government. the protests initially sought greater political freedom and equality for the majority shia population, and expanded to a call to end the monarchy of hamad bin isa al khalifa following a deadly night raid on 17 february 2011 against protesters at the pearl roundabout in manama, known locally as bloody thursday.