AL MEETHAQ

'Al Meethaq' () is a liberal political party in the Kingdom of Bahrain. It has a reputation as a strong supporter of Bahrain's democratisation programme and is socially progressive.
Supporters of the party won no seats in 2002's parliamentary elections which were dominated by Sunni and Shia Islamists, but several of its members were appointed by the government to serve as legislators in the Consultative Council, Bahrain's upper chamber.
The party's leader is journalist, Ahmad Juma, who is culture editor of the newspaper, Al Ayam. Mr Juma has been one of the most vocal opponents of religious extremists and their effect on the development of Arab societies.