Bahraini customs

The Kingdom of Bahrain, referred to as Bahrain, is an island country near the west bank of the Persian Gulf. Bahrain Island is Bahrain's largest island. Saudi Arabia is located in the west of Bahrain and can be connected via the King Fahd Bridge; Iran is located in the north of Bahrain; and the Qatar Peninsula is located on the southeast side of the Gulf of Bahrain. Bahrain is also the place where Dilmen civilization flourished.

Bahrain's total population is approximately 1.195 million (2012), of which approximately 60% are Arabs, 75 - 80% of the residents live in cities, and 51% are foreigners. Mainly Indian, Pakistan, Bangladeshi, Iranian, Filipino and Omani people. The capital is Manama. The official language is Arabic. Eighty-five percent of residents believe in Islam, and Shiite Muslims account for more than 75% of the total population.

Islam also plays a very important role in the lives of people in Bahrain. Bahrain's law is also based on the Shariah Code, with a total of seven cards (Shariah law executors) across the country. The Koran and the Code of Sharia are compulsory courses in all ordinary schools, and religious classes have at least two to four hours a week. In addition to ordinary schools, there are also special religious schools to train religious staff for local people. Prayers and other religious rituals are generally observed five times a day in the country. Religious employees occupy a very important position in social life.

Bahraini people are very loyal and welcome to make friends and be close to others. They are willing to walk side by side with friends and increase friendship hand in hand. Generally, when meeting guests in social occasions, it is customary to greet the guests first, first saying: "Asalam Alaykum"(Hello), then shaking hands and simultaneously saying: "Kaifi Harruk"(In good health). When they meet relatives and friends, they are accustomed to hugging and kissing (that is, kissing each other's cheeks while hugging). Of course, this is limited to men.

The

is based on eating habits. They ban pork, alcohol, and all strange foods. They also avoid using pig products and talking about pigs in topics. In addition to pork, even beef is rarely seen. They mainly include mutton, chicken, turkey and duck meat. However, if you eat in a foreign-run restaurant, you can enjoy an authentic English breakfast of bread, steak, cheese, etc.

In Bahrain, alcohol sales are strictly controlled by the government, so not all restaurants serve alcohol. So if you want to drink alcohol with a meal, you need to call before going to find out if they serve alcoholic beverages. Bahrain also has many restaurants with different flavors, such as American, Arab, China, European, Indian, Japanese, Lebanon and Mexican cuisine. Among them, Arab dishes are mainly strong and spicy. In addition, you can also taste Arabic espresso and tea.

and Bahrainis are also famous for their sincere hospitality. When welcoming and seeing off guests, they are always happy to walk side by side with guests. In order to express their intimate feelings, they often walk hand in hand with visiting guests. This is a special custom of Arabs to express warmth, friendliness and courtesy. They are honest, loyal, generous, and like to make friends. Once guests praise or admire something about them, they will definitely give you what you praise. If you don't accept it, they will be angry and disgusted.

Especially when visiting Bahraini homes, the more you eat at the table, the happier the host will be. Because this way can truly express that you like the food cooked by the owner and are satisfied with the owner's warm welcome to you. They have a strong concept of time and are generally accustomed to observing time when it comes to dating, and have a tradition of making appointments on time. They especially like to chat about falcons or horses because these are two animals they like very much. But one thing to note: Bahrainis do not like to discuss controversial Middle Eastern political issues with guests.

on taboos. Like other Muslims, it is taboo to pass things or food with the left hand (they believe that the left hand is a despicable hand), so it is extremely impolite and insulting to use the left hand to deliver things or food. They also avoid giving wine, photos of women or sculptures of women as gifts because it violates their canons. In particular, they are extremely opposed to kissing in public. If they are found, they will be fined or sentenced.

Moreover, Islam believes that women are covered with shame except their hands and feet, while it is considered unlucky for men to glimpse the faces of unfamiliar women. Therefore, Bahraini Muslim women generally live in seclusion and must wear a hijab or veil if they want to go abroad. Of course, things have changed now and are not as rigid as before.

Bahrain also has many unique customs and anniversaries. It is said that on the night of August 15th of the Islamic calendar (about the beginning of April in the Gregorian calendar) every year, Allah comes to decide people's lives and blessings for a year. Therefore, on this day, Muslims fast during the day and recite scriptures and pray at night, so that Allah has blessed the world.

In Bahrain, the legal bride price for betrothal is a golden lira, which is usually used by the bride to buy jewelry, clothes, perfumes and household items. When Bahrainis get married, boys from the same village send the groom to the bride's house. After washing, the bride applied pollen ointment on her hands and feet, put on Naxal, and then rolled up by the carpet and placed them on a chair in the groom's room. After doing all this, the women read: "May God bless you!" Afterwards, the groom lifted the bride's veil, took off the cloak he was wearing over her head, knelt down on his knees, and prayed for God's blessings for the future.