Bahrain's Cultural Mosaic: Impacting The Kingdom's Identity

Bahrain is a nation in the Persian Gulf with a complex ethnic makeup that has been influenced by its strategic location and historical trade connections. The country consists of the Bahrain Island and about 30 smaller islands, with most of its population concentrated in the two principal cities, Manama and Al Muharraq. Bahrain's ethnic landscape includes indigenous inhabitants, descendants of Africans, Shia and Sunni Arabs, Persians, Indians, and Jews, each contributing to the cultural and religious diversity of the nation. The country's ethnic composition has had implications for its social, political, and economic dynamics, including migration patterns, labour dynamics, and power structures.

The persecution of the Shia majority

One of the most prominent forms of persecution is the removal of Shia Muslims from positions of power and influence. This includes the removal of Shia professors from universities, the forced resignation of Shia deputies in parliament, and the exclusion of Shia Muslims from senior positions in companies and official functions, regardless of their qualifications. Shia activists have also been targeted, with many being tortured, imprisoned, or even killed for their political activities.

The Bahraini government has also been accused of destroying Shia mosques and cemeteries, vandalising historical landmarks and artefacts associated with the Shia faith, and restricting the religious freedoms of Shia Muslims. This includes preventing the construction of mosques in Shia-majority areas, limiting religious processions, and arresting and torturing Shia religious scholars for expressing their opinions.

Discrimination against Shia Muslims in Bahrain extends to various sectors, including employment, education, and the judiciary. Shia Bahrainis are barred from working in certain sectors, such as the security apparatus and the military, and face higher unemployment rates. In the education sector, Shia students are rejected from specialist subjects and scholarships, and Shia teachers are passed over for contracts in favour of individuals from other countries. The judiciary has also been criticised, with a lack of representation for Shia Muslims and allegations of "political persecution" and "pseudo-justice".

The role of the Sunni Al-Khalifa dynasty

The Sunni Al-Khalifa dynasty has been the ruling family of Bahrain since 1783. The current head of the family is King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, who became the Emir of Bahrain in 1999 and proclaimed himself King of Bahrain in 2002. The country has been ruled by the Al Khalifa family for generations, with all rulers being descendants of Ahmed ibn Muhammad ibn Khalifa, the first hakim of Bahrain.

The Al Khalifa family is Sunni Muslim and belongs to the Anizah tribe. They settled in Bahrain in the early 17th century, having previously ruled over Al Zubarah in modern-day Qatar. The family entered into a series of treaties with the UK during the 19th century, making Bahrain a British protectorate until it gained independence in 1971.

The Al Khalifa family has faced internal conflicts and threats from external powers throughout its rule. In the mid-19th century, the family split into two branches, Al-Abdulla and Al-Salman, which engaged in open conflict. The Al-Salman branch ultimately prevailed and maintained control of Bahrain. During this period, Bahrain was also under threat of occupation by external powers, including the Wahhabis, Omanis, Ottomans, Egyptians, and Persians.

The Al Khalifa family holds significant power in Bahrain, with the current King appointing the Prime Minister, his ministers, and commanding the army. The family also leads a large number of ministerial and governmental posts, including key ministries such as the Interior, Justice, Finance, Culture, and Foreign Affairs. Additionally, the Al Khalifa family has been accused of corruption and discrimination against the Shi'ite community, particularly in housing and job distribution.

The impact of non-Muslim migrant workers

Non-Muslim migrant workers have had a significant impact on Bahrain's demographics, economy, and culture. As of 2020, non-nationals make up more than half of Bahrain's population, with immigrants accounting for about 52.6% of the total population. The majority of these immigrants come from South and Southeast Asian countries, including India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, the Philippines, and Indonesia.

The large presence of non-Muslim migrant workers has led to religious and cultural diversity in Bahrain. While Islam is the dominant religion in the country, with 74% of the population identifying as Muslim, the remaining population practises other faiths, such as Christianity, Judaism, Hinduism, and Buddhism. The religious diversity in Bahrain is influenced by the presence of migrant workers, who bring their own religious beliefs and practices to the country.

The economic impact of non-Muslim migrant workers in Bahrain is significant. They constitute a large portion of the country's workforce, particularly in sectors such as construction, domestic work, and agriculture. During the COVID-19 pandemic, migrant workers in Bahrain, especially those from Bangladesh, experienced economic hardship, with reduced income and increased job insecurity. However, the overall contribution of migrant workers to Bahrain's economy is substantial, as they fill labour gaps in various industries and support the country's economic growth.

Additionally, non-Muslim migrant workers have influenced Bahrain's cultural landscape. For example, the Shia Persians, who constitute a significant ethnic minority in Bahrain, have assimilated into Bahraini culture while maintaining their distinct language and traditions. The presence of diverse cultural groups has enriched Bahrain's cultural fabric, contributing to its social and culinary diversity.

The influence of the 1979 Iranian revolution

The 1979 Iranian Revolution, also known as the Islamic Revolution, was a series of events that led to the overthrow of the Pahlavi dynasty and the end of Iran's historical monarchy. The revolution was led by Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, a religious cleric who had headed one of the rebel factions. The revolution resulted in the replacement of the Imperial State of Iran with the Islamic Republic of Iran, with Khomeini assuming leadership.

The Iranian Revolution had a significant impact on Bahrain, which has a large Shia population. The revolution's success inspired Shia militancy across the region, as Iran began to back Shia groups to combat Sunni influence and establish Iranian dominance. This dynamic played out in Bahrain, where there were tensions between the Shia majority and the Sunni ruling class. The revolution also led to a shift in the geopolitical order of the region, with Iran seeking to create a new order in the Persian Gulf and the Middle East based on a rejection of both the United States and the Soviet Union.

The revolution's impact on Bahrain was felt in several key ways:

• Increased Shia assertiveness: The success of the Iranian Revolution empowered Shia groups in Bahrain, who felt emboldened to challenge the Sunni ruling class. This dynamic contributed to rising sectarian tensions in the country.
• Regional geopolitical shifts: The revolution altered the geopolitical landscape of the region, with Iran seeking to establish a new order in the Persian Gulf and the Middle East. This included a focus on Bahrain, which has a significant Shia population. Iran's efforts to spread its influence in the region contributed to rising tensions between Shia and Sunni groups in Bahrain.
• Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC): In response to the Iranian Revolution and Iran's increasingly assertive foreign policy, the Gulf monarchies, including Bahrain, sought to safeguard their interests. In 1981, Bahrain and five other Gulf countries formed the GCC, with the chief goal of protecting their monarchies.
• Saudi-Iranian tensions: The revolution also contributed to tensions between Saudi Arabia and Iran. Saudi Arabia, a predominantly Sunni country, viewed the rise of a Shia Islamic republic in Iran with alarm. This tension was further exacerbated by the seizure of three Emirati islands by Iran in 1971 and its claims over Bahrain.

In conclusion, the 1979 Iranian Revolution had a significant influence on Bahrain's ethnic and political dynamics. It empowered the Shia majority in Bahrain, leading to rising sectarian tensions with the Sunni ruling class. Additionally, the revolution altered the geopolitical landscape of the region, with Iran seeking to establish a new order in the Persian Gulf and the Middle East, which further contributed to tensions in Bahrain.

The status of Jews in Bahrain

Jews have lived in Bahrain since ancient times, with Talmudic references indicating their presence in the geographic areas of present-day Bahrain. Arabic sources also record Jews in Hajar, the capital of Bahrain, in 630 CE, who refused to convert to Islam when Muhammad sent an army to occupy the territory. In the 12th century, Benjamin of Tudela mentions 500 Jews living in Qays and 5,000 in Al-Qatif, involved in the pearl industry.

In the 19th century, Jewish merchants from Iraq, Persia, and India settled in Bahrain, with the Yadgar family arriving from Iraq in the 1880s. The community thrived in local commerce and crafts, with some families becoming wealthy in the textile and banking industries. In the 1930s and 1940s, there were numerous Jewish-owned businesses along Al-Mutanabi Road, which was nicknamed "Jews' Street".

However, the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948 led to anti-Semitic riots and the destruction of the synagogue in Manama. Many Jews fled Bahrain, emigrating to Israel, the United States, or the United Kingdom. By the 1960s, only about 200 to 300 Jews remained, and after the Six-Day War in 1967, most of the community left the country.

In the 21st century, Bahrain's Jewish community is small but celebrated as part of the country's diversity. There are approximately 36 to 40 Jewish citizens from six families, with most living in Manama. The community has a synagogue and a small cemetery. While there is no rabbi in Bahrain, religious services are conducted in private homes on holidays.

Jewish Bahrainis have equal rights and feel comfortable and welcomed in the country. They hold positions in high government roles, with some serving in the nation's upper house of Parliament and as ambassadors to the United States. In recent years, there have been efforts to promote religious tolerance and improve relations with Israel, including the signing of the Abraham Accords in 2020.

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