Bahrain's Cultural Mosaic: Ethnicity's Impact

Bahrain is an archipelago in the Persian Gulf, consisting of Bahrain Island and around 30 smaller islands. The country has a diverse population, with non-nationals making up more than half of its citizens. The population is predominantly Muslim, with Sunnis and Shias making up the majority of Bahraini citizens. The country's ethnic makeup includes indigenous inhabitants, descendants of Africans, Shia and Sunni Arabs, Jews, and a large number of immigrants from South and Southeast Asia. The Baharna are considered the indigenous original pre-Islamic inhabitants of Bahrain, with a presence in almost all the villages of the main island. Bahrain has a history of religious tolerance, officially recognizing multiple Christian denominations and communities of Hindus, Sikhs, Jews, and Baháʼís. However, the Shia population, despite being the majority, has faced discrimination and persecution, particularly during the 2011 protests inspired by the Arab Spring.

The persecution of the Shia majority

The Shia Muslims in Bahrain have faced persecution and discrimination at the hands of the ruling Sunni Al Khalifa regime. While Shia Muslims constitute the majority of the citizen population in Bahrain, estimated at 55-60% as of 2021, they are marginalized politically and economically. The Al Khalifa family, which adheres to the Sunni school of Islam, governs the country and has been accused of attempting to alter the demographic composition of the country by carrying out mass political naturalization of Sunni migrants, thereby reducing the Shia majority over time.

One of the most prominent forms of persecution is the removal of Shia Muslims from influential positions in academia, government, and security forces. Shia professors have been dismissed from universities, and Shia deputies in parliament have been forced to resign. Additionally, Shia Muslims face barriers in seeking employment in the security apparatus, the army, and the police force due to perceived loyalty issues. They are also underrepresented in the judiciary, with only 12% representation, according to the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. This systemic discrimination has resulted in high unemployment rates among qualified Shia Bahrainis.

Shia Muslims in Bahrain have also experienced religious persecution and the destruction of their cultural heritage. Dozens of Shia mosques have been demolished, and Shia religious scholars and activists have been targeted with torture, imprisonment, and even death sentences. The Al Khalifa regime has attempted to erase the religious and scholarly identity of Shia Muslims by falsifying Islamic history, vandalizing historical landmarks, and omitting the contributions of Shia scholars from educational curricula and official historical records. The oldest mosque in Bahrain, located in the Khamees district, has been vandalized, and the name of the mosque has been changed to obscure its Shia Muslim identity.

The discrimination against Shia Muslims in Bahrain extends to various sectors, including education, healthcare, and business. Shia Bahrainis are underrepresented in senior positions within the Ministry of Education, and Shia students face barriers in accessing specialist subjects and scholarships. In the healthcare sector, Shia doctors and medical workers have been smeared by media campaigns, and Shia Bahrainis are deterred from seeking treatment at the militarily controlled Salmaniya Hospital due to safety concerns. Shia businesspeople have been targeted with attacks on their business premises and prevented from purchasing assets in certain cities.

The role of the Sunni Al-Khalifa dynasty

The Sunni Al-Khalifa dynasty has played a significant role in shaping Bahrain's demographics and cultural landscape. Here is a detailed overview:

Historical Context

The Al-Khalifa family, a Sunni Muslim clan belonging to the Anizah tribe, rose to power in Bahrain in 1783. They established their rule over the archipelago by defeating Nasr Al-Madhkur, who previously governed Bahrain as a Persian dependency. This marked the beginning of the Al-Khalifa dynasty's influence in the region.

Treaties with the UK

To secure their power, the Al-Khalifa family entered into a series of treaties with the United Kingdom during the 19th century. These agreements placed Bahrain under British protection, further solidifying the Al-Khalifa dynasty's control over the region. Bahrain remained a British protectorate until it attained independence in 1971.

Ruling Structure

The Al-Khalifa family has maintained a strong presence within the Bahraini government. As of 2024, four out of 25 serving cabinet ministers are members of the royal family. This includes key positions such as the Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Interior, and Minister of Finance and National Economy. The current head of the family, King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, has ruled as Emir and then King since 1999.

Impact on Ethnic Groups

The Al-Khalifa dynasty's rule has had a significant impact on the ethnic composition of Bahrain. The Sunni Arabs, including the ruling Al-Khalifa family, form the majority of the Bahraini population. They hold most government positions and exert considerable influence over the country's affairs.

Economic and Social Influence

The Al-Khalifa dynasty has also played a pivotal role in Bahrain's economic development. King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, for instance, has been credited with improving living standards and establishing Bahrain as a financial hub. However, there have been accusations of corruption and discrimination in housing and job distribution during his reign, particularly from the Shi'ite community.

Foreign Relations

The Al-Khalifa dynasty has navigated Bahrain's foreign relations, including establishing diplomatic ties with other nations. For example, in 2020, King Hamad expressed commitment to the creation of a Palestinian state, implicitly rejecting the normalization of ties with Israel. However, Bahrain later established full diplomatic relations with Israel in September 2020.

In summary, the Sunni Al-Khalifa dynasty has been the ruling family of Bahrain for over two centuries. They have shaped the country's demographics, economy, and foreign relations. Their influence extends across various aspects of Bahraini society, and they continue to hold significant power within the government.

The impact of non-Muslim migrant workers

Bahrain is a small island nation in the Persian Gulf, with a population of around 1.3 million people. Non-nationals make up more than half of the population, with immigrants accounting for about 52.6% of the overall population.

The non-Muslim migrant workers in Bahrain face exploitation and abuse despite government reforms intended to protect them. The workers are employed in low-skill, low-wage jobs in construction, trade, manufacturing, and domestic work. They face discrimination and abuses from Bahraini society in general. They are also subjected to physical and psychological abuse, including sexual abuse.

The Bahraini authorities need to implement labor safeguards and redress mechanisms already in place and prosecute abusive employers. The government should extend the 2012 private sector labor law to domestic workers, who are excluded from key protections.

The country's historical trade relations

There is literary and archaeological evidence of extensive trade between Ancient Mesopotamia and the Indus Valley civilization. Impressions of clay seals from the Indus Valley cities of Lothal and Harappa were used to seal bundles of merchandise. Numerous Indus Valley seals have been found at Mesopotamian sites, outnumbering even local seals, indicating a preference for Indian economic currencies and seals.

The "Persian Gulf" types of circular, stamped seals known from Dilmun that appear at Lothal in Gujarat, India, and Failaka, as well as in Mesopotamia, are evidence of long-distance sea trade. Timber and precious woods, ivory, gold, and luxury goods were among the goods sent to Mesopotamia in exchange for silver, tin, woollen textiles, olive oil, and grains.

Bahrain's main import is crude petroleum brought in by underwater pipeline from Saudi Arabia to be refined. Machinery, food, and chemicals are also major imports. The primary exports are refined petroleum products and aluminium goods. Saudi Arabia is the principal trading partner, and the United Arab Emirates, the United States, and Japan are also important.

Bahrain's historical trade relations with the UK are also notable. In the 19th century, the Sunni Al-Khalifa family took power in Bahrain and entered into a series of treaties with the UK that made Bahrain a British protectorate. Bahrain attained its independence from British rule in 1971.

The influence of neighbouring countries

Bahrain is a small Arab state situated in the Persian Gulf, with a strategic position in relation to the eastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula, Iran, Iraq and Oman. It is an archipelago consisting of Bahrain Island and around 30 smaller islands, with a population of 1,501,635 as of May 14, 2023. Bahrain's location has made it an important trade centre for thousands of years, with its port facilities being opened up to foreign naval fleets, including that of the United States.

Bahrain's population is ethnically diverse, with a mix of indigenous inhabitants, and immigrants from surrounding countries and further afield. The indigenous inhabitants, known as the Baharna, are the original pre-Islamic inhabitants of Bahrain and are mostly Shia. The Shia Arabs, who make up a significant proportion of the population, are distinct from the Baharna and speak the Sunni dialect due to their proximity to Sunni Arabs and Africans.

Sunni Bahrainis are mainly divided into two groups: Sunni Arabs and Huwala. Sunni Arabs are the most influential ethnic group in Bahrain, holding most government positions, including the monarchy. The Sunni Arabs have historically lived in areas such as Zallaq, Muharraq, Riffa and Hawar Islands. The Huwala are the descendants of Sunni Iranians who migrated to the Persian Gulf during the 19th century and are mostly found in Muharraq Island and Riffa.

Bahrain has historically been economically and culturally dependent on its neighbouring regions, particularly Assyria and Meluhas (the current state of Gujarat in India). There is evidence of extensive trade between Ancient Mesopotamia and the Indus Valley Civilisation, with Bahrain acting as an important trade centre.

In terms of religion, Bahrain is a majority Muslim country, with Islam as the state religion. The majority of Bahraini Muslims are Shia Muslims, which is unique in the Middle East, with only Iran and Iraq having Shia majorities. However, the Sunni Muslim Al Khalifa royal family has ruled Bahrain since 1783. The country also has small populations of Christians, Jews, and Hindus.

Bahrain's location and ethnic diversity have made it susceptible to regional influences, particularly from Iran and Saudi Arabia. Bahrain has maintained relatively good relations with the United States and continues to house the U.S. Navy's Fifth Fleet. However, Iran's ties to Bahrain's Shia community and its territorial claims on the island have strained relations between the two countries.

The construction of the King Fahd Causeway, which links Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, has strengthened bilateral relations and regional defence, and has benefited both countries economically and politically. Bahrain has also maintained relatively good relations with other neighbouring countries, such as Qatar, with which it resolved a dispute over the Hawar Islands in 2001.

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