Hinduism in Bahrain

Hindus in Bahrain
Shrinathji Hindu Temple in Manama is one of the oldest Hindu temples in the Middle East
Total population
387,800 (2020); 8.33% of total population
Regions with significant populations
Manama
Religions
Hinduism
Related ethnic groups
Indians in Bahrain and Hindus

Hinduism in Bahrain is practiced primarily by members of the expatriate communities from India, Nepal and Bangladesh living in Bahrain. While Islam is the state religion, Bahrain is tolerant of minority religions, including Hinduism, and allows the operation of Hindu places of worship.[1]

History

Before the 19th century, there has been small Hindu community in the shores of Bahrain owing to the sea trade.[2] The presence of Hindus in Bahrain dates back to the early 19th century, linked to Indian merchant communities engaged in regional trade. These merchants settled in Manama and established religious and commercial institutions that served the growing Indian population.[3] The Lorimer's Gazetteer, noted that in 1905 there were 69 Hindus among the 191 British Indian subjects in Manama during colder months, but it increased to 175 Hindus out of 325 British Indian subjects during pearling season. Majority of the Hindus were Lohana and Bhattia communities from Sindh.[4]

In 1817, the Shrinathji Temple dedicated to Shrinathji, a form of the Lord Krishna was constructed in Manama by the Hindu community.[5]

Demographics

Majority of the Indian Hindus in Bahrain are Kerala Hindus.[6] According to the Boston University’s 2020 World Religions Database, Hinduism is followed by 6% of the population.[7] According to the ARDA, Hinduism is followed by 8.33% of the population (3.54% are Vaishnavites, 2.74% are Shaivites and 2.05% Shaktists) in 2025.[8] Some other sources cites population as 10%.[9]

According to 2020 government data, there are approximately 387,800 Hindus in the country. all of whom are expatriates.[7] Its unclear whether there are Hindu citizens in the country. The Bahrain Ministry of Information states that "99.8% of Bahraini citizens are Muslims. The percentage of Christians, Jews, Hindus, Baha’is is 0.2%."[10]

Community Life

The Shrinathji Temple in Bahrain is one of the oldest temple in the Middle east region.[11] Other Hindu temples are BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir,[7] ISKCON Balramdesh temple etc.[12]

There is cremation facility for Hindus on land that was granted over 100 years ago.[13] The Hindu celebrations are celebrated openly without any restrictions from the state.[7] In Diwali celebrations, the Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, and other ministers often visit Hindu familes.[14][15] In 2001, the King of Bahrain also appointed a Hindu member to the Parliament.[16]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Hindu leaders: Bahrain role model for religious freedom". www.bna.bh. Retrieved 2026-02-20.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  2. ^ Mehta, Sandhya Rao (2022-10-02). "Strategic Belonging: Hindu Identity and Performance in Oman". Asian Journal of Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies. 16 (4): 4. doi:10.1080/25765949.2022.2151741. ISSN 2576-5949.
  3. ^ Onley, James (2007). The Arabian Frontier of the British Raj. Oxford University Press. ISBN 9780199228102.
  4. ^ Onley, James (2007-11-22). The Arabian Frontier of the British Raj: Merchants, Rulers, and the British in the Nineteenth-Century Gulf. OUP Oxford. ISBN 978-0-19-160776-9.
  5. ^ "External affairs minister Jaishankar visits 200-year-old Hindu temple in Bahrain". Wion. Retrieved 2026-02-20.
  6. ^ "(PDF) Suicide rates in the national and expatriate population in Dubai, United Arab Emirates". ResearchGate. Archived from the original on 2025-02-06. Retrieved 2026-02-20.
  7. ^ a b c d "2023 Report on International Religious Freedom: Bahrain". United States Department of State. Retrieved 2026-02-20.
  8. ^ "National Profiles | World Religion". The Association of Religion Data Archives (the ARDA). Retrieved 2026-02-20.
  9. ^ Hamann, Jasper (2020-08-17). "Woman Destroys Hindu Idols in Bahrain Shop, Sparks Uproar in India". Morocco World News. Retrieved 2026-02-20.
  10. ^ "Population and Demographics – Ministry of Information | وزارة الاعلام | Kingdom of Bahrain". www.mia.gov.bh. Retrieved 2026-02-20.
  11. ^ "Modi announces redevelopment of Bahrain's Hindu temple". Gulf News. 25 August 2019.
  12. ^ Garde, Deeplata (2022-10-22). "5 Temples You Can Visit In The Middle East This Diwali". Curly Tales. Retrieved 2026-02-20.
  13. ^ "Embassy of India, Bahrain". www.eoibahrain.gov.in. Retrieved 2026-02-20.
  14. ^ "HH Shaikh Mohammed bin Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa visits a number of families to mark Diwali". www.bna.bh. Retrieved 2026-02-20.
  15. ^ "KHGC Chairman visits families to mark Diwali". www.bna.bh. Retrieved 2026-02-20.
  16. ^ Salmi/Salimi, Abdulrahman Al. "Abdulrahman al-Salimi Immigrant religions: a study of religious diversity in the GCC States". Academia: 40.
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