Bahrain's Cultural Holidays: A Comprehensive Overview

The Kingdom of Bahrain is a vibrant country with a rich diversity of occasions and festivals that showcase its vibrant culture. Most of the public holidays in Bahrain are Islamic and are based on the lunar calendar, with dates varying from year to year. The Islamic holidays celebrated in Bahrain include Eid Al Fitr, Eid Al Adha, Arafat Day, Islamic New Year, Ashoora, and the Prophet Muhammad's birthday. In addition to these, Bahrain also celebrates National Day, which lasts for two days and marks the anniversary of the accession of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa to power. Other holidays include New Year's Day and International Workers' Day.

Islamic New Year

The month of Muharram is considered the holiest month after Ramadan. The first ten days of Muharram are particularly significant, especially for Shia Muslims, as it is a time to mourn the death of Husayn Ibn Ali al-Hussein, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad, who died at the Battle of Karbala in 680 AD. The day of his death, the 10th of Muharram, is known as Ashoura or Ashoora and is a public holiday in Bahrain.

The Islamic New Year marks the Prophet's journey from Mecca to Medina in 622 CE, also known as the Hijrah. The Prophet Muhammad had to leave Mecca for Yathrib, known today as Medina, to escape execution. The Hijrah brought freedom from suffering for Muslims in Mecca and saved them from further persecution by the Meccan pagans.

The traditions and customs of Islamic New Year vary between Shia and Sunni Muslims. In Bahrain, where the majority of Muslims are Shiites, Islamic New Year is marked by religious activities, spiritual singing, and religious meetings. Many will fast and mourn during the early days of Muharram, reflecting on their mortality and paying homage to the martyrdom of Husayn Ibn Ali on Ashura. The month of Muharram is a time of peace, as it is forbidden to fight or wage war during this period.

Eid Al Fitr

During the month of Ramadan, Muslims fast from dawn until sunset and feast at night. Eid Al Fitr is a time to celebrate with family and friends, sharing food and giving thanks for the strength to practice self-control during the previous month.

The date of Eid Al Fitr is determined by the sighting of the moon in Saudi Arabia, which marks the start of the month of Shawwal. This means the date can change up until the day before. In 2025, Eid Al Fitr will be celebrated from 31 March to 2 April, with an additional day of national holiday on 3 April.

On Eid, Muslims gather in mosques or open spaces to pray. They wear new clothes and eat something sweet on their way to the mosque, such as a date. They also recite a small prayer called a takbeer. Other traditions include giving money to the poor, sending Eid greetings, and feasting with family.

The phrase "Eid Mubarak" is commonly used as a greeting, meaning "blessed festival" in Arabic. The proper response is "Khair Mubarak", wishing goodness on the person who greeted you.

Eid Al Adha

The celebration of Eid Al Adha begins with a special prayer, 'Salat al-Eid', followed by a sermon called a khutbah. This is traditionally followed by the sacrifice of a sheep, goat, cow, or camel, with Muslims reflecting on Ibrahim's devotion to God. The meat is then divided up for the family to use during a feast with their loved ones, to be distributed to those who are absent and neighbours, and to be donated to the poor. For those who do not perform a sacrifice, halal meat is often purchased for the meal, and money is donated to charity.

Sharing a meal with family and friends is an integral part of Eid Al Adha. Common dishes include kebabs, biryani, curries, and haleem, a stew of minced mutton cooked with wheat or barley. The rest of the day is spent visiting the houses of friends and family, exchanging gifts and the traditional Arabic greeting, 'Eid Mubarak' ('have a blessed Eid').

Prophet Muhammad's birthday

The Prophet's birthday is celebrated in most parts of the Muslim world, and Bahrain is no exception. The people of Bahrain celebrate with parades, storytelling, decorations on homes and public buildings, and attendance at special mosque services. The birthday of the Islamic prophet Muhammad is a significant event in the country, and the general population, including schools and most businesses, are closed for the day.

The Prophet Muhammed, believed to be the last prophet, was born in Mecca, a city in Saudi Arabia that is revered as holy by Muslims. The celebration of his birthday is an important tradition for Muslims in Bahrain, and it is marked as a public holiday by the government. The official notification for the holiday is released by the government, marking the day to commemorate the Prophet's birthday for the Islamic Hijri calendar year.

In 2024, the Prophet's birthday was observed on September 15, and it is expected to fall on September 5, 2025 (tentative date). The people of Bahrain usually take Friday and Saturday as their weekend, so if the Prophet's birthday falls on a Thursday or Sunday, it creates a three-day weekend for those working in the public sector.

National Day

Bahrain's National Day is celebrated annually on the 16th of December, with festivities lasting until the 17th. This national holiday commemorates two significant events in the country's history. Firstly, it marks Bahrain's independence from Britain on 15 August 1971, and secondly, it celebrates the ascension of the former ruler, Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa, to the throne.

The people of Bahrain hold a deep respect for Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa, crediting him for the reforms that brought stability to the country. During his 38-year reign, he guided Bahrain through a national economic transformation, establishing the country as a financial centre in the Arabian Gulf.

The Bahrain International Circuit usually serves as the main venue for the festivities, with staff and students from institutions like RCSI Bahrain joining in the annual celebrations. Traditional food and drinks, henna painting, and various other cultural activities are enjoyed by all.

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