Video: F1 host Bahrain erupts in violence This year's race is scheduled to go ahead on 22 April. Shi'ites, the majority of Bahrian's population, complain of political marginalisation by the ruling Sunni Muslim Al Khalifa family. They were in the forefront of the protest movement that erupted in February 2011 after uprisings in Egypt and Tunisia. But a month later, the ruling Khalifa family crushed the protests, imposing martial law and bringing in troops from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates to help restore order. Pressed by its Western allies to allow peaceful expression of dissent, the government has tolerated more opposition protests in recent months. But activists say at least 28 people have died due to heavy policing since martial law ended in June, many from the effects of tear gas. The government has queried the causes of death.