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Living in Bahrain

     
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Living in Bahrain

This section is intended to be a helpful and informative introductory guide for newcomers to Bahrain or for people considering coming to live here.

Language

The official language in Bahrain is Arabic but, in practice, Bahrain is bilingual and English is very widely spoken and used for business communication. If you should consider learning Arabic, there are three possibilities, apart from private tutors:

Religion

Even though Bahrain is considered to be one of the most westernised of the Gulf States, Islam and the Muslim traditions are very important in everyday life here. The five "pillars" of Islam, namely, Faith, Prayer, Giving alms, Fasting and the Pilgrimage all play an important part in every Muslim's life. It makes sense for an expatriate coming to live and work in Bahrain to do some reading to gain at least a basic understanding of Islam.

There are two distinct Islamic sects in Bahrain, the Shiites and the Sunnis. The ruling family, headed by the King, Shaikh Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, is Sunni and so are many of the more influential and more affluent families, while the majority of the Bahrain population are Shi'a.

Ramadan: Ramadan is a Muslim religious observance that takes place during the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, which is believed to be the month in which the Qur'an began to be revealed. During Ramadan, Muslims from all continents unite in a period of spiritual reflection, community, family bonds and fasting during daylight hours. When Muslims are fasting during Ramadan, non-Muslims are expected to refrain from eating, chewing gum, drinking and smoking in public places where they may be visible to any Muslim. Anyone may eat after the moon has risen and before it sets again. It is projected that Ramadan in 2010 will start on the evening of Wednesday, 11th of August and will continue for 30 days until Friday, the 10th of September.

Religious Holidays

All Muslims celebrate two major religious holidays in Bahrain:

  • Eid al Fitr marks the end of Ramadan
  • Eid al Adha, 69 days after the start of Eid al Fitr on the 10th day of the pilgrimage to Mecca called the Hajj.
  • Eid al Adha is the day of the pilgrims' ritual offering of sheep to God.
  • In addition, the Shi'a Muslims observe a holiday called Ashoora which is significant day of mourning for them.

Schools are closed on these holidays but it is difficult to plan for them exactly because they are dependant on the sighting of the moon and are normally announced only two or three days in advance. The Islamic calendar is based on a lunar month, compared with the Gregorian calendar. All months in the Islamic calendar move forward by 11 days a year, and so do the two Eid holidays.

In the Muslim world there is no official celebration of Christmas or Easter and these days are not official holidays. Christians, however, are entitled to celebrate these festivals and all the commercial trappings associated with these festivals are readily available on the island. Bahrain is a tolerant society and other religions are allowed freedom of worship.

Other holidays

In addition to school holidays, the school will be closed on local public holidays. Some of these holiday dates are not fixed and are only announced to the community when official confirmation is received. Typically, they are:

  • National Day: Celebrating the independence of the Kingdom of Bahrain and held annually on December 16th.
  • Accession Day: Celebrating the accession of the Kingdom of Bahrain and held annually on December 17th.
  • Al Hijra (Islamic New Year's Day): January/February
  • The Prophet's (PbuH) Birthday: March/April
  • National Labour Day: May 1st

More about Bahrain's holidays, Click here

Time

Bahrain is GMT plus three hours (two hours before United Kingdom in the winter and one hour in the summer.) The working hours in Bahrain are rather variable:

Government Offices are open on 5 days a week from 7 a.m. to 2.15 p.m. (closed on Fridays and Saturdays.)

The weekend in Bahrain falls on Friday and Saturday, with Friday being the day when all adult male Muslims are expected to attend the special Friday prayers in a mosque.

Private companies are normally open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. with a 2-3 hours lunch break on 5 or 6 days a week (closed on Fridays).

The Suq (local market) is normally open on 6 days from 9.00 a.m. to 12 noon/1.00 p.m. and again from 4.00 p.m. to 6.30 p.m. On Fridays a limited number of shops may be open between 9.00 a.m. and 12 noon.

Large supermarkets are open 7 days a week from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. - 10.00 p.m. Smaller supermarkets and cold stores are also open at these hours and sometimes on Fridays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. or later.

Children in Bahrain

Bahrain is a great place for kids. It is very safe and most compounds have their own pools and play areas for children. Bahrain also has a great deal to offer children with amusement parks and centres, sports clubs and entertainment venues. Most clubs have their own children's programmes and hotels also often provide programmes particularly during school breaks.

Health and Medical Facilities

The medical and dental facilities available in Bahrain are good. Treatment is available from five hospitals: The International Hospital (IHB), the American Mission Hospital (direct payment by the Medical Aid Company), the Awali Hospital and the state-owned Salmaniya Hospital and the military hospital - the Bahrain Defence Force. There are numerous of Government Health Centres all over the island. There are also other private institutions like the Bahrain Specialist Hospital (BSH) and the Ibn Al-Nafees Hospital. There are a number of very good 24-hour pharmacies available on the island

Climate

The climate of Bahrain follows a seasonal variation in many ways similar to Northern Europe with temperatures some 15-20°C higher throughout the year. The summer (June to September) is mostly very hot, with temperatures daily in the range 35-48 °C. The maximum in the middle of the day often reaches 40-48 °C. The humidity can be high during this period, restricting outdoor activities and making this part of the year rather fatiguing.

Spring (March to May) and autumn (October to November) are the most pleasant with temperatures of 20-35 °C. The rain, which normally falls during the winter months, is rather limited (average total 70 mm per year), but when it rains it may be very wet on the ground for days because the water does not run off so easily. In winter, from December to February, you may see night temperatures between 10 and 15 °C

Dress

Dress is usually quite casual in Bahrain as befits a hot climate. However, you are strongly advised to observe the local cultural expectations that you dress modestly and not expose your body when in public. Short shorts or beach attire should not be worn by either men or women in public places other than hotel pools, clubs and private or secluded beaches. Women should not wear sleeveless, low-cut or midriff tops in public places and dresses or skirts should be of a modest length.

Accommodation

There are currently a wide range of apartments and villas available for rent because of the construction boom. However, there are usually only a limited number of 1-bedroom apartments available. During the induction week we will give you further information and guidance on finding your own accommodation but, generally, there are several ways to find real estate information:

  • "Word of mouth": your colleagues may be able to assist you
  • Estate agents who have been recommended by other people
  • Advertisements in the national newspapers under the Classifieds Section

There is tap water in all apartments and houses. The tap water is rather salty and therefore not suitable for drinking in large quantities (although not contaminated with germs). Because of the high salt content, appliances tend to rust e.g. washing machines.

Drinking water, referred to as "sweet water", is available from purification plants of which there are quite a few on the island The sweet water is collected from these plants in plastic containers (20-25 litres) costing about 700 fils each. In some residential areas, sweet water is supplied by water tanker twice a week. Al Manal Water and Aqua Cool deliver good quality fresh drinking water to your home. Boxes of 1 litre bottles of water can also be bought from the supermarkets.

Refuse is collected regularly from all flats and houses, several times a week. This is arranged by the Public Sector of the Municipality Services at no cost to the individual.

Furnishing and appliances

Accommodation is mostly available on fully furnished basis so you would not need to purchase much household furniture. You may expect the following to come with your new home:

  • Hard furniture and white goods (refrigerator, stove, washer, dryer)
  • Ordinary kitchen and household equipment like kettle, toaster, electrical hand-mixer, thermos, pots, pans, knives, forks, spoons, plates, cups and glasses.

Should you decide to rent an unfurnished or semi-furnished apartment, your landlord will provide you with air-conditioners, cooker, refrigerator and television.

There is a very wide range of furniture available in Bahrain, including some very high end European designer brands, but there is no IKEA here as yet. There are expat sales advertised on noticeboards in clubs and at the supermarkets at which you can get very reasonably priced furniture.

There is a very good range of electrical appliances available in Bahrain. The electricity supply is 230 volts, 50 Hz alternating current. Plugs are normally 3 pin (similar to UK). Adapters for different types of plugs are available.

Telecommunications

Bahrain has a highly developed communication network, locally as well as internationally. It is normal practice to have a telephone installed in your apartment or house. This is not done through the school but in your own name. The telephone service is reliable and a connection is usually given within 3 days of applying for a telephone.

Mobile phones are extremely popular and "pay-as-you-talk" cards (called SIMSIM are widely available) through telecommunication companies like Batelco, Viva or Zain.

Fax is widely used in business communication locally as well as internationally.
The Internet is also freely available with various packages available to residents. This is acquired through the local telecommunications companies like Batelco, Zain or Viva.

Driving in Bahrain

Cars drive on the right hand side of the road i.e. left hand drive. The roads in Bahrain are good although you may encounter traffic congestion, especially during rush-hours at a few locations, mainly in the downtown area. All traffic signs are printed in both Arabic and English.

The standard of driving is variable and it is recommended that you drive with due care and attention. Special attention should be given to the fact that overtaking occurs to the left as well as to the right side.

If you have an accident, however small, you must call the police. If the accident is minor you will be referred to the nearest police station to report the accident. If there have been any injuries or serious damage, you will be directed to remain at the scene of the accident until the traffic police arrive. You cannot get a car repaired in Bahrain without a police report. The maximum speed is 100 km/hour, unless otherwise stipulated.

Driving after consuming alcohol (even a single glass) is strictly prohibited. The standard penalty in the case of drivers who are found to have been drinking is 2-3 days in prison, which you will undoubtedly find very unpleasant, and at least a BD 500 fine.

Buying a car

It is really not possible to go anywhere in Bahrain without a car, so you probably have to consider buying one or two cars (for a family) as an establishment expense. Car loans can be arranged through most banks. Most makes of new cars are available in Bahrain at prices which are low, compared to most European countries. Second-hand cars are also available. When buying a second-hand car it is advisable to have it checked at an authorised garage before finalising the deal.

If you plan to buy your own car try to get a "No Claim Letter" from your car insurance company at home. This can reduce the insurance premium considerably.

Petrol is also very inexpensive compared to many other countries.

What to bring with you

If you are planning to ship goods to Bahrain you should contact your local shipping agent. However, most things you might want are available locally. Do not send bottles of alcoholic liquor with your luggage. Preferably you should also avoid bringing DVDs and videos, since they may have to be checked for pornographic content. There is a wide range of DVDs and CDs available in Bahrain

Clothing

In the summer, temperatures are up to 40-48 ºC during midday and over 30 ºC during the night so you should bring the coolest clothes you have got. However, please do bear in mind, the local sensitivities about revealing clothing.

In the winter, temperatures are down to 10-15 ºC and many houses are without heating, so do bring some warm clothes. Some restaurants and cinemas may be quite chilly and you are likely to need a pullover or jacket for just that purpose.

Personal items

Even if your accommodation will be furnished, it goes without saying that the setting may be somewhat impersonal, so bring light items of a personal nature (e.g. family pictures, something to put on the walls, a few smaller lamps which you like, etc.) to make your accommodation more cosy.

A list of things you may find useful to bring:

  • 1-2 woollen sweaters and possibly other woollen clothes for the winter which can be as cold as a really bad English summer
  • If you like classical music, you should bring some CDs with you as there is only a very small selection of classical music CDs available in Bahrain

Shopping

Generally speaking, you can buy just about anything you want in Bahrain. It is not very expensive to live in Bahrain but the cost of living obviously depends on your needs and habits. Inflation in Bahrain is quite low although no official statistics are available. In the markets, Suq Area and in some stores you can bargain for the "best price".

All types of clothing can be bought in Bahrain, also good quality shoes, dresses, and shirts. Tailors are fairly inexpensive but they are best when having an example to copy, so if you plan to have things made you are well advised to take an example to the tailor as well. There are five large shopping malls that have an excellent selection of high street stores like Marks & Spenser, Evans, Monsoon, Debenhams and BHS.

General consumer items are also available in an impressive variety in shops as well as in the Suq Area. These include such things as cars, colour TVs, cameras, kitchen equipment, electrical goods of any type, clothing etc. etc.

Food is available from a great number of supermarkets, both in Manama and in some of the various residential areas outside Manama:

  • Canned food and any type of vacuum packed food are available in great quantities and variety
  • Meat bought in western-style supermarkets is imported (Australia, Europe, New Zealand, Denmark, South America) and is of good quality. Some is frozen. Any type of meat (beef, lamb, chicken, duck and even pork) can be obtained. It is recommended that you should only buy fresh meat from recognised supermarkets.
  • Fresh fruits and vegetables can be bought from supermarkets but also, and more cheaply, from the Central Market located near the King Faisal Highway in northern Manama, as well as from a couple of local markets. This is also the place to go for fresh fish of which there is a very good selection. The supply and prices of these items obviously vary a great deal with the seasons. You can negotiate for "the best price" at these outlets.
  • Fresh dairy products such as milk, cream and yoghurt are also available in all supermarkets, and so are cheeses from Denmark as well as from other European countries.
  • Liquor may be obtained from a number of licensed shops in Manama although it is quite expensive. There are no limitations on the purchase of alcohol and the supply includes a great variety of products including beer (South African, Danish, and German), wine and liquor (e.g., whiskey, gin, etc.). Alcohol cannot be bought during Ramadan so you may need to buy in supplies beforehand.

Leisure and entertainment

In spite of the small size of Bahrain there are many possibilities for all sorts of activities in your leisure time. There are several good quality cinemas showing current release western films. There are bars, nightclubs and discos but little or no theatre or classical music orchestras. There are occasional exhibitions of local painters' work. Also several times during the year the British Council, Alliance Française and some of the larger hotels arrange cultural evenings when international entertainers perform in plays, classical music performances, opera and even ballet. If you like acting there is the Manama Theatre Group who produces their own plays several times a year. The Manama Singers is a choir that also performs several times each year.

Sports

There are a great number of sport clubs in Bahrain where good facilities are available for a wide range of activities such as tennis, squash, football, swimming, sailing, diving, riding, golf etc. Family membership fees are from around BD 100 to BD 400 per year, depending on the club.

Sailing is very popular and can be enjoyed throughout the year. The Bahrain Yacht Club provides facilities for the water sports activities and has a good private beach and outdoor swimming pool. There are small dinghies for the children, Lasers, Hobie Cats, Kestrels, Windsurfers and Sailing Cruisers (18 - 28 ft. yachts.) There is also a large power boat section. Full sailing and power boat instruction is available from fully recognised qualified instructors. The club also holds a wide variety of social functions throughout the year.

Horse riding can be enjoyed from a number of riding schools where lessons are given and where horses can be hired. 

Some of the other clubs which provide a number of possible activities are:

  • The Royal Golf Club - located in Riffa Views - offers Golf to visitors and members. Also offers Golf lessons, country club, lounge and a range of fine resturants.
  • The Dilmun Club, located off the Budaiya Road near Saar Village, offers such activities as swimming, horse riding, tennis & squash with a library for members.
  • The Country Club, located in Karranah off the Budaiya highway in lush green environment with swimming, riding, tennis, handball, squash, an excellent gym with a ladies gym and a variety of restaurants.
  • The British Club, located in southern Manama (close to the Adliya site) has an excellent gym, tennis, squash, Taekwando and other activities.
  • The Gulf Hotel Recreation Club - near the school - offers excellent gym facilities and a chilled pool in the summer.

Radio and TV

Radio Bahrain broadcasts in English 24 hours a day with frequent news bulletins. Amongst the most popular English speaking stations are Bahrain Channel 55 and Dubai Channel 33. BBC World News service television is screened 24 hours a day. There are also a number of subscription satellite channels available.

Restaurants

All the large hotels have restaurants and there are an impressive number of good individual restaurants are located mainly in Manama and Adliya. The variety is extensive from Chinese, Japanese, Indian and Arabic traditional food to European dishes. Prices are quite reasonable. A number of restaurants have a buffet lunch and normally a-la-carte for dinner. Most of the larger restaurants have a liquor licence, while some of the smaller ones are not permitted to sell alcoholic beverages.
There are also many takeaway and home delivery food outlets like Kentucky Fried Chicken, Pizzerias, MacDonald's and other Hamburger outlets, Chinese, Indian etc.

Useful links to Bahrain websites

  1. General Information about Bahrain:

  2. Information about shopping, restaurants and so on:

  3. Bahrain English newspapers and magazines:

  4. Good books about Bahrain:

    Click on the title to go to the book's entry on www.amazon.co.uk:


   
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