General Information » Culture & Lifestyle » Religion

Islam is the official religion of Bahrain, and is practised by 85% of the population. The majority of the Bahraini population (about 75%) are followers of the Shia sect, but the ruling family follows the Sunni sect of Islam. Freedom of worship is permitted to other faiths including Christianity, Hinduism, Parseeism, Judaism and Buddisim. The basis of Islam is that there is only one God, and that Prophet Mohammed (Peace Be Upon Him) is His Messenger.

There are five main pillars of Islam, to which all followers must adhere: the testimony of faith, prayer, charity, fasting during the holy month of Ramadan and performing the Hajj pilgrimage at least once in a lifetime. Friday is Islam’s holy day. The month of Ramadan is considered to be a holy month for Muslims, as it marks the period in which the Holy Quran was revealed to Prophet Mohammed.

The beginning of the month is marked by the sighting of the new moon, confirmed by a judiciary panel. During Ramadan, Muslims are expected to strive to a higher level of spirituality, and this is done in part by fasting during daylight hours. In the evening, the fast is broken by the Iftar meal. In Bahrain, working hours during Ramadan are shortened to six hours a day for Muslims. Some organisations extend this to non-Muslims too, who are also cautioned that it is illegal to eat, drink or smoke in public places during daylight hours, as a sign of respect to those who are fasting. The daily Ramadan timings are listed in the daily newspapers. In practice, Ramadan is a time where all official business slows down considerably. However, the upside is that there is a celebratory atmosphere throughout the country every evening for a month. In the villages, Bahrainis distribute dishes between houses most evenings for Iftar and Ghabgas (the late night meal and social gathering). It is somewhat ironic that food imports, particularly of meat, soar during the fasting month of Ramadan, but people party most of the night and lavish spreads are de rigueur. Mosques are full for evening prayers and you can feel the collective surge of community spirit and faith. Many hotels and cafes erect colourful tents for the whole month and Bahrainis and expatriates alike gather to socialise, eat and play a range of traditional games.

Ramadan ends with a three-day holiday and celebration, Eid Al Fitr, the Feast of the Breaking of the Fast. The other main celebration is Eid Al Adha, the Feast of the Sacrifice, which marks the end of the annual Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca.

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