Bahrain And Saudi Arabia: Two Nations, One Shared History

Bahrain is a small island country in the Persian Gulf, situated between Saudi Arabia and Qatar. It is officially known as the Kingdom of Bahrain and consists of a small archipelago of 33 islands, mostly desert, with the capital, Manama, located on the most populous Bahrain Island. Bahrain is ruled by the Khalifa family, a Sunni minority, while the majority of the population follows the Shia branch of Islam. The country gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1971 and has since diversified its economy beyond oil production and refining, with a focus on banking, finance, and tourism. Bahrain is known for its liberal and cosmopolitan culture relative to its neighbours, with a tolerant attitude towards expats and other cultures.

Bahrain is an island country in the Persian Gulf, situated between Qatar and Saudi Arabia

Bahrain and Saudi Arabia are close allies, both being Sunni monarchies with a Sunni and Shiite population, and both are members of the Gulf Cooperation Council. Bahrain has generally followed Saudi Arabia's lead in most foreign policy decisions, and the construction of the King Fahd Causeway has strengthened bilateral relations and regional defence, as well as benefiting both countries economically and politically.

Bahrain is a former British protectorate that gained independence in 1971. It was formerly an emirate but became a semi-constitutional monarchy in 2002, with Sharia law as a principal source for legislation. Bahrain has a bicameral National Assembly, with 40 members of the Shura Council appointed by the king, and 40 members of the Council of Representatives elected by absolute majority vote.

Bahrain has a well-developed road network, particularly in Manama, and a modern international airport. It has a universal healthcare system, and government-provided healthcare is free for Bahraini citizens and subsidised for non-Bahrainis.

Bahrain is ruled by a Sunni king, whose family holds the main political and military posts

Bahrain is a constitutional monarchy ruled by a Sunni king, whose family, the House of Khalifa, has held the country's main political and military posts since ascending to power in 1783. The current ruler, King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, has been in power since 1999, and in 2002, he declared Bahrain a kingdom, changing his title from emir to king.

The king of Bahrain has wide-ranging powers, including the ability to appoint the prime minister, the cabinet, and the parliament's upper house, as well as holding supreme command over the Defence Force. The parliament's lower house is elected by universal suffrage.

Bahrain's population includes both Sunni and Shiite citizens, with the Shia making up the majority of the country. Tensions between the Shia majority and the Sunni rulers have led to civil disobedience and protests over the years, with demonstrators claiming that the ruling Sunni minority shuts them out of housing, healthcare, and government jobs.

In 2011, Bahrain faced a popular pro-democracy protest movement, which was crushed with the help of Saudi forces. Since then, the monarchy has systematically eliminated a broad range of political rights and civil liberties.

The country has a bi-cameral legislature, consisting of a Chamber of Deputies and a Shura Council

Bahrain is a constitutional monarchy with a democratic government system. The country's political system is based on a constitutional monarchy based on Consultation (Shura), which is the ideal method of governance in Islam. The legislative authority in the Kingdom of Bahrain consists of two councils: the Council of Representatives (also known as the Chamber of Deputies) and the Shura Council. Together, these two bodies form the National Assembly, which debates topics of mutual interest and disputed issues.

The Council of Representatives is the lower house of the Bahraini National Assembly and was established by the 2002 Constitution of Bahrain. It consists of forty members who are elected by universal suffrage. Members are elected for four-year terms from single-member constituencies using a two-round system. If no candidate receives 50% of the vote in the first round, a second round is held between the top two candidates. Candidates must be Bahraini citizens and at least 30 years old.

The Shura Council, on the other hand, is composed of experienced citizens selected by the leader, with the input of educated, free, and trustworthy people. Together, the two councils work to achieve the popular will represented in the National Council.

The National Assembly, formed by the Shura Council and the Council of Representatives, has the power to propose constitutional amendments, legislation, and accept or refuse decrees of law. Additionally, it can express its wishes on public matters, question cabinet ministers, and table a vote of no confidence against them. The National Assembly also has the authority to pass a motion of non-cooperation against the Prime Minister, which requires a simple majority vote.

Bahrain is a Muslim country, with around 70% of the population being Shia and 30% Sunni

Bahrain is a Muslim country, with around 70% of the population following Islam. The country has a long history of religious significance in the region, with the Islamic prophet Muhammad sending his first envoy, Al-Ala'a Al-Hadrami, to the ruler of Bahrain, Munzir ibn Sawa Al Tamimi, inviting him to embrace Islam in 628 AD. Since then, Islam has been the state religion in Bahrain.

While Islam is the predominant religion, there are differences in the way it is practised among the population. Bahrain is a nation with a diverse range of Islamic sects, with the two primary branches being Shia and Sunni Islam. Shia Muslims constitute around 55-70% of the Muslim population, while Sunni Muslims make up the remaining 30-45%. These estimates, however, are not officially published by the Bahraini government.

The Shia community in Bahrain has a rich history, with its origins in the country dating back to 656-661 AD during the caliphate reign of Ali ibn Abi Talib. Over the centuries, Shia Islam became firmly established in Bahrain, with the emergence of the 'Bahrain School' in the 13th century, which integrated philosophy and mysticism into orthodox Twelver Shia practices.

The Sunni community, on the other hand, is also well-represented in Bahrain, particularly in positions of power. The ruling royal family, the Al Khalifa family, follows Sunni Islam and governs the country. Additionally, high-ranking official positions are predominantly held by Sunnis, and the country's security forces are primarily recruited from foreign-born Sunnis.

The religious dynamics in Bahrain have had political implications as well. Shia Muslims, despite being the majority, have faced challenges in terms of representation and equality. The Shia society in Bahrain, particularly the Al Wefaq group, has historically advocated for opposition to the current government and a shift towards a more democratic structure. This has resulted in tensions and, at times, clashes with the Sunni-led government.

In conclusion, Bahrain is a Muslim country with a diverse religious landscape. The population is predominantly Muslim, with approximately 70% being Shia and 30% Sunni. The country's religious demographics have influenced its politics, culture, and social dynamics, shaping the nation's history and present-day reality.

Bahrain is a small country, with a population of around 1.5 million people

Bahrain is a small country with a population of around 1.5 million people. It is an island country in West Asia, situated on the Persian Gulf. It is a small archipelago made up of 50 natural islands and 33 artificial islands. The population of Bahrain is 1,501,635 as of May 14, 2023, based on elaborations of United Nations data. Bahrain spans some 760 square kilometres (290 sq mi) and is the third-smallest nation in Asia after the Maldives and Singapore. The capital and largest city is Manama.

Bahrain is officially known as the Kingdom of Bahrain and is a semi-constitutional monarchy headed by the king, Shaikh Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa. The country is divided into four governorates: the Capital Governorate, the Muharraq Governorate, the Northern Governorate, and the Southern Governorate.

Bahrain has a diverse economy, with a focus on banking, tourism, and financial services. It has developed the first post-oil economy in the Persian Gulf, and many of the world's largest financial institutions have a presence in the country. Bahrain is also known for its pearl fisheries, which were considered the best in the world until the 19th century.

The country has a rich history and culture, with influences from various civilisations, including the ancient Dilmun civilisation, the Portuguese Empire, and the Al Khalifa royal family, who have ruled since 1783. Bahrain is known for its tolerance and conservation of traditional lifeways, with a constitution that affirms the importance of "religion, ethics, and patriotism."

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