The predominant religion is Islam, and Bahrainis are renowned for their tolerance of various religious practices. Marriages between Bahrainis and expats are fairly uncommon; numerous Filipino-Bahrainis, such as the actress, are examples. a child from the Philippines Al-Alawi Mona Marbella
Women’s traditional clothing typically includes the hijab or the abaya, and the regulations surrounding female apparel are relatively lenient compared to regional neighbors. Although the thobe, which includes traditional headdresses like as the keffiyeh, ghutra, and agal, is the traditional male costume, western clothes is widely used in the nation.
Despite the fact that homosexuality was allowed in Bahrain in 1976, numerous gays have been imprisoned since then.
Art
In the 1950s, the country’s contemporary art movement formally began, culminating in the formation of an art society. The most popular forms of art in the nation include expressionism and surrealism, as well as calligraphy. In recent decades, abstract expressionism has grown in prominence. Pottery and weaving are two more famous items that were extensively produced in Bahrain’s villages. With the Bahraini government’s strong patronage of Islamic art, Arabic calligraphy rose in prominence, culminating in the creation of Beit Al Quran, an Islamic museum. A permanent display of modern art is housed in the Bahrain National Museum. Bahrain’s architecture is comparable to that of its Persian Gulf neighbors. The wind tower, which provides natural ventilation in a home, is a frequent sight in ancient houses, especially in Manama and Muharraq’s old neighborhoods.
Literature
In the nation, literature has a long history; most traditional authors and poets write in the classical Arabic style. The number of younger poets inspired by Western literature has risen in recent years, with the majority writing in free poetry and often incorporating political or personal themes. Ali Al Shargawi, a well-known poet, was dubbed the literary symbol of Bahrain by Al Shorfa in 2011.
Bahrain was the location of the ancient country of Dilmun, which was referenced in the Gilgamesh Epic. According to tradition, it was also the site of the Garden of Eden.
Music
Bahrain’s musical style is comparable to those of its neighbors. Khaliji music, which is folk music, is popular across the nation. In Bahrain, the sierra type of music is popular, which consists of a sophisticated kind of urban music performed by an Oud (lute dotted), a violin, and a mirwas (drum). Ali Bahar was one of Bahrain’s most well-known vocalists. With his band Al-Ekhwa, he performed his songs (The Brothers). Bahrain was also the first Persian Gulf country to have a recording studio.
Sports
Bahrain’s most popular sport is association football. Bahrain’s national soccer squad has participated in the Asian Cup, the Arab Cup of Nations, and FIFA World Cup qualification matches, but it has never qualified for the tournament. The Bahrain Top League is Bahrain’s premier national professional soccer league. Basketball, rugby, and horse racing are prominent in the nation as well.
Bahrain features a Formula One racing circuit, which held the first Grand Prix in an Arab nation, the Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix, on April 4, 2004. In 2005, the Bahrain Grand Prix was held as a follow-up. On March 12 of that year, Bahrain staged the first Grand Prix of the 2006 season. Both races were won by Renault’s Fernando Alonso. The race has been held yearly since then, with the exception of 2011, when it was canceled owing to ongoing anti-government demonstrations. Despite worries about the teams’ safety and continuing demonstrations in the nation, the 2012 race took place. Al Jazeera English, CNN, AFP, and Sky News have all called the decision to continue the race amid continuing demonstrations and violence “controversial.” It was dubbed “one of the most contentious in sports history” by the Independent.
Bahrain also hosted its first Australian V8 Supercar race, the “Desert 400,” in 2006. The V8s returned to the Sakhir track every November until 2010, the series’ second race. Since then, the show hasn’t aired again. The Bahrain Drag Racing Club has arranged invitational events with some of Europe’s finest drag teams to attempt to boost the sport’s reputation in the Middle East, and the Bahrain International Circuit also offers a complete course.
