Like a Hindu community that appears in Bahrain almost 200 years ago, the Ajam of Bahrain counts hundreds of years of history. The name Ajam refers to a Persians of Bahrain or Iranians of Bahrain, the ethnic group in Bahrain composed of Shia citizens of Persian/Iranian background. Around 14% of the Bahraini citizen population adheres to Ajam Islam. They speak in Persian and Arabic. Persian migration into Bahrain dates back to the Sassanid and Achaemenid Persian empire. In 1910, the Persian community funded a private Al-Ittihad school, where the Persian language was learned. Matam Al-Ajam Al-Kabeer is the first and the largest Persian Matam in Bahrain. A rich Persian merchant Fareej el-Makharqa by Abdul-Nabi Al-Kazerooni was a representative of the Persian community in the council of the hakim Isa ibn Ali Al Khalifa. Being an immigrant from the Dashti region of Iran, he founded the matam in 1882, collected donations and hired orators to speak at the matam. in the 1890s, the matam was supported by Persian merchants, mostly the Bushehri and Safar family. In the 1930s the matam provided financial support and shelter for people in need following the collapse of the pearling market. Photo Simplified Pixabay License
What do you know about Bahrain? Did you know that the official symbol of the kingdom of Bahrain, the flag of Bahrain was approved on February 17, 2002? Did you know that the most ancient Epos of human civilization mentions the land of Dilmun - ancient Bahrain? Did you know that 97% of the European trade of pearls of Gulf was coming from Bahrain? Did you know that Bahrain was conquered by Portugals? Do you know how is the sea pure in Bahrain? Or how is the souq tasty and colorful in Manama? Or how did Hindians, Persians, Christians, and Jews arrive in Bahrain? Or how is majestic the House of Koran? You definitely will know it using this self-guided tour, but, let us start with the flag. The flag of Bahrain was red as a reminder of the colors of the Muslim Kharijites. In 1820, the white vertical stripe appeared on the flag, symbolizing a truce reached with Great Britain. In 1933, in order to be distinguishable from the similar flags of the region, a white stripe was limited by a zigzagged line. Since 2002, the five white triangles were depicted on a flag symbolizing the five pillars of Islam. Are you ready to explore Bahrain by one day? Let's go and do not forget to taste the delicious Chicken Machboos! Photo Simplified Pixabay License
Don't be afraid to get lost in new places!
