Bahrain Unshaken is a series of conversations with people living and working in Bahrain during the ongoing conflict in the region. A mixed bag of reflections, lessons, and messages of hope – the stories we share here highlight how life and circumstances changed for citizens and residents, business leaders, marketing professionals, creators, homemakers, and others. What connects them is that they are all still here, still showing up, and willing to talk honestly about what that looks like.
The aim is not to offer commentary or analysis; the series is trying to make space for real voices. To hear how people are coping, what trust and faith look like, what has changed in their daily lives, and what, if anything, has surprised them about themselves or the community around them during a period of uncertainty.
Alba D’Souza moved to Bahrain six months ago. She heads marketing at Amriya Group, the name behind two of the best restaurants in MENA – Lyra and MASSO – as well as iconic dining concepts: Circa and The Orangery. Like many professionals in the Kingdom, Alba found herself recalibrating almost everything about how communication flows in the midst of a conflict.
But her story carries an additional layer. When a crisis hits, and you have only been somewhere for half a year, the question of whether to stay or go is not abstract. It is practical and immediate.
“The first instinct was to check in on family across the GCC, close friends, and my team,” she says. “Beyond that, it was about pausing and taking in the reality of what was unfolding, rather than reacting impulsively.”
At work, the priority was keeping the team steady. She describes being rattled herself, but choosing to set that aside in front of her colleagues. The focus was on acknowledging the uncertainty without letting it take over, and making sure people felt supported. She credits Amriya’s management for being actively involved in the team’s safety throughout.
Externally, the shift was just as deliberate. Messaging was reassessed, anything that felt out of step with the moment was paused, and communication became more considered. “It was simply the responsible thing to do,” she says.
One of the things that caught Alba off guard was who showed up.
“I’ve had people reach out from all over the world, some I hadn’t spoken to in years. That took me by surprise,” she says.
Having been in Bahrain for such a short time, she did not have decades of relationships to fall back on. What she found instead were new friends and acquaintances who showed up for one another in small, meaningful ways. She also noticed a shift in how businesses around her are engaging with their audiences, with more thought and more care than before.
On a personal level, she has been deliberate about creating small pockets of normality. Stepping away from the news cycle, maintaining a routine where possible, and making time for the things that keep her grounded, whether that is movement or staying connected with the people who matter.
“There’s a strange comfort in knowing we’re all navigating this together,” she says.
The thought of leaving did cross her mind. She is honest about that and describes it as a natural response to uncertainty. But it did not hold.
“For me, staying comes down to a sense of responsibility and connection. The GCC has been home for years, and there’s real value in staying put, supporting your team, and seeing things through,” she says.
Alba’s relationship with the region is longer than her time in Bahrain. She has lived in the GCC for years, and that history gives her experience a weight that goes beyond the six months she has been on the island.
Her message to the people of Bahrain is brief. She hopes that the situation passes soon, and she believes the community will come out of it stronger.
“There’s a quiet resilience that shows in how people support one another and maintain a sense of normalcy, even in uncertain times.”
READ MORE: Staying Alert: An Updated Guide to Bahrain’s Emergency Sirens
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