Bahrain is a constitutional hereditary monarchy led by His Highness King Hamad Bin Isa Al-Khalifa. The Kingdom places great value on harmonizing the conveniences of modern life and the strength of traditional values.
Historically, Bahrain was one of the first territories outside mainland Arabia to peacefully adopt Islam. While Islam is the religion of some 80% of Bahrain’s 650,000 inhabitants, there is considerable presence of other faiths and religious freedoms are respected. Christian churches, for instance, are found throughout the country, serving the needs of the large expatriate community.
Arabic is the official language of Bahrain, but English, Farsi, Hindi, and Urdu are spoken widely. Most notably, English is considered the official language for business in Bahrain and in the Gulf.
Human Development
Bahrain is recognized, as well, for human development. Bahrain is consistently one of the top Middle Eastern countries in the United Nations Development Program’s (UNDP) annual index on human development. The UNDP’s report tracks statistics like access to medicine and medical care, life expectancy, infant mortality and availability of safe drinking water. Bahrain ranks proudly among the top countries in those important yardsticks.
There is an active and free press in Bahrain, including the three Arabic and two English-language newspapers. Political reforms—now as common as economic reforms—guarantee municipal and parliamentary elections and the establishment of a bi-cameral parliament.
Education
Looking at education, Bahrainis are among the best-educated people in the Arab world. This guarantees a workforce that is skilled and ready for the highly technical demands of today’s global economy. Secondary school enrollment now measures 97%, or better. In 2001, the National Action Charter stipulated the importance Bahrain places on education. The Charter laid out a vision that the Government of Bahrain “guarantees the educational and cultural services for its citizens. Education is compulsory and free.” As a result, the Bahraini literacy rate is among the highest in the Arab world, averaging 85.2 per cent. Literacy among Bahraini males stands at 90 per cent and 80 per cent among women.
Women’s Rights
The women of Bahrain live in a country that is far ahead of the Arab world in terms of freedom to work, learn, and travel. Bahraini women share full and equal voting rights and can run for election, a first in the Arabian Gulf region. Our women are, likewise, free to drive and dress as they wish. The Amir’s wife, Shaikha Sabika bint Ibrahim Al-Kalifa, is an active and strong supporter of women’s rights. In 2001, she formed the “Supreme Council for Women,” a group of 14 leading figures with experience in women’s issues. The group recommends policies on matters such as education, healthcare, economic advancement, media, culture, politics and foreign relations.
Environmental Conservancy
Given Bahrain’s small land area, its historical reliance on oil and other natural resources, the arid climate and recent rapid industrial development, its environment is understandably under great stress.
Anticipating the result of continued deterioration of our environment, Bahrain has undertaken efforts to protect and conserve the natural value and beauty of our country. Water quality is a top priority. Ground sources are dwindling and at continual risk. The seas of the Middle East, which have supported us economically for thousands of years, are vulnerable to pollution, from both land and maritime sources. Bahrain is using advanced standards to attack such pollution, and protect our coasts and their precious biodiversity. Industrial, energy and transport sectors pose dangers to our air, as well, and Bahrain is making strides in that area. On land, Bahrain is committed to minimizing, treating, and recycling solid waste. Sewage, in particular, is being reused in a number of environmentally friendly ways. Bahrain is also undertaking efforts to combat drought and desertification, a problem that plagues the entire Middle East.
Today, Bahrainis are stewards of the land, sea and air as part and parcel of our role as economic and political leaders in the Middle East. Bahrain has issued formal decrees protecting our precious environment in addition to ratifying a number of international environmental conventions.
