Bahrain: A Muslim-Majority Country In The Middle East

Bahrain is an island country in West Asia with a population of around 1.5 million people. It is officially a Muslim country, with Islam as the state religion and Sharia law as the principal source for legislation. The population is predominantly Muslim, including both Sunni and Shi'a Muslims, with Shi'a Muslims making up the majority. The ruling Al Khalifa royal family and many wealthy and influential Bahrainis are Sunni, which has been a source of political and social tension.

While Islam is the official religion, Bahrain is considered more secular and liberal than some of its neighbouring countries. The country observes Muslim feasts and holidays, but also allows the practice of other religions. Non-Muslim residents, who make up almost half of the population, include Christians, Jews, Hindus, and Bahai'is.

Bahrain is a Muslim-majority country, with Islam as its state religion

Islam has been the state religion of Bahrain since the 7th century when the Islamic prophet Muhammad sent an envoy to Munzir ibn Sawa Al Tamimi, the ruler of Bahrain, inviting him to convert to Islam. Bahrain's ruler accepted the invitation, and the inhabitants of the country became Muslim.

The constitution of Bahrain declares Islam to be the official religion and mandates that Sharia law is the principal source for legislation. The constitution also guarantees freedom of conscience, the freedom to perform religious rites, and the freedom to express and publish opinions, provided these do not infringe on Islamic doctrine. Anti-Islamic publications are prohibited, and criticising the state religion is a criminal offence.

The government regulates the content of religious sermons and the collection of funds by religious organisations. Islamic studies, based on Sunni doctrine, are mandatory for Muslim students in public schools. While the country observes Muslim feasts and holidays, such as Eid al-Adha, Eid al-Fitr, and the Islamic New Year, there is a degree of societal tolerance for minority religious beliefs and traditions.

While Bahrain is a Muslim-majority country, it is considered more secular and liberal than its neighbouring countries. The country allows interfaith dialogue and has decriminalised homosexuality. Additionally, certain behaviours that are prohibited by Islam, such as drinking alcohol, are legal in Bahrain.

The country observes Muslim feasts and celebrations as national holidays

As a Muslim country, Bahrain designates Muslim feasts and celebrations as national holidays. The Islamic New Year, or Muharram, is one of the most highly anticipated events of the year, with a ban on alcohol strictly enforced to promote purity. The country also observes Milad Al Nabi, or the birthday of the Prophet Mohammed, which is celebrated by both Sunni and Shi'ite Muslims, though on different days. This festival is marked by feasts, processions, and storytelling.

The holy month of Ramadan is also celebrated in Bahrain, with Muslims fasting during the day and gathering for dinner in the evenings. The culmination of Ramadan is Eid al-Fitr, a three-day celebration of feasts and good deeds. Other Muslim celebrations observed in Bahrain include Gergaoon, which takes place halfway through Ramadan, and Ashura, which is a period of mourning for the Shi'a Muslim majority in the country.

Bahrain's constitution declares Islam to be the official religion and Sharia the principal source for legislation

Bahrain's constitution declares Islam to be the country's official religion, with Sharia law (Islamic law) serving as the principal source for legislation. This means that Sharia law is the basis for the country's legal system, influencing various aspects of life in Bahrain.

Article 22 of the Bahraini constitution provides for freedom of conscience, the inviolability of worship, and the freedom to perform religious rites, hold religious parades, and gather for religious meetings. However, the government has placed some limitations on these rights. While the constitution guarantees the right to express and publish opinions, there are restrictions on content that may infringe on the "fundamental beliefs of Islamic doctrine." Anti-Islamic publications are prohibited, and there are penalties for "exposing the state's official religion to offense and criticism."

Sharia law governs personal status and family matters, including inheritance, child custody, marriage, and divorce. The specific interpretations and applications of Sharia law can vary depending on whether an individual is a follower of Shi'a or Sunni Islam. For example, in matters of inheritance, a Shi'a woman may inherit all property in the absence of a direct male heir, while a Sunni woman would inherit only a portion, with the remainder going to other male relatives.

The Bahraini government regulates religious practices and institutions. All religious groups must obtain a license from the Ministry of Justice and Islamic Affairs (MOJIA) to operate. The government also oversees the content of religious sermons and the activities of religious leaders. Additionally, the government funds the construction and renovation of mosques and provides financial assistance to religious institutions.

The designation of Islam as the official religion and the application of Sharia law have implications for the daily lives of citizens and residents in Bahrain. Islamic studies are mandatory for Muslim students in public schools. The government observes Muslim feasts and holidays, such as Eid al-Adha, Eid al-Fitr, and the birthday of Prophet Muhammad, as national holidays.

While Bahrain's constitution guarantees equality and prohibits discrimination based on religion, there have been concerns and reports of religious discrimination, particularly against the Shi'a community, which makes up a significant portion of the country's citizenry.

Bahrain's laws prohibit anti-Islamic publications and mandate imprisonment for exposing the state's official religion to offence and criticism

Bahrain's constitution declares Islam to be the official religion of the country and that sharia law is a principal source for legislation. The constitution guarantees the right to express and publish opinions, provided these do not infringe on the "fundamental beliefs of Islamic doctrine".

Bahrain's laws prohibit anti-Islamic publications and mandate imprisonment for "exposing the state's official religion to offence and criticism". The penal code punishes any individual who mocks or disdains another religious group. The penal code also prohibits any person from imitating a religious ritual or ceremony in public with the intention of ridiculing it.

In practice, the Bahraini government has been known to question, detain, and arrest clerics and other members of the Shia community for their sermons and writings. In 2020, the government charged Shia cleric Abdul Zahra al-Samaheeji with defamation of religious figures. In the same year, the Court of Cassation upheld a one-year prison sentence against Shia religious preacher Abdul Mohsin Atiyya al-Jamri for a sermon "defaming a figure that is revered by a religious group".

In March 2023, Jalal al-Qassab and Redha Rajab, members of the Bahraini cultural and social association Al Tajdeed, were sentenced to a year in prison and fined for "mocking" Islamic beliefs. Their YouTube commentaries on various Quranic verses were deemed to have contradicted "authoritative rulings on the power of Allah" and "insulted a symbol and revered figure in a specific religious community".

In addition to the above, the Bahraini government has also been known to:

• Monitor, regulate, and provide guidance for the content of religious sermons, citing violations of pre-approved topics.
• Bring charges against clerics who speak on unapproved topics.
• Ban publications that are deemed to prejudice the ruling system of the country and its official religion.
• Restrict the construction of non-Islamic houses of worship.
• Restrict the collection of money by religious organizations.

Bahrain's laws also prohibit any form of discrimination based on religion or creed

Bahrain's constitution prohibits discrimination based on religion or creed. The country's labour law also prohibits discrimination against workers on the grounds of religion or belief. The law deems religion-based dismissal to be arbitrary and illegal, and it prohibits wage discrimination based on religion.

The constitution guarantees the right to express and publish opinions, provided they do not infringe on the "fundamental beliefs of Islamic doctrine". The law prohibits anti-Islamic publications and mandates imprisonment for "exposing the state's official religion to offence and criticism".

Despite these laws, there are reports of discrimination against the Shia community in Bahrain. Shia Muslims are said to face discrimination in education, employment, and the exercise of their cultural rights. Shia prisoners have also reported mistreatment and inadequate medical treatment.

In addition, there is societal pressure on individuals not to convert from Islam, and atheism is rejected by local society.

Frequently asked questions