Bahrain's Religious Tolerance and Diversity

This is Bahrain — the Tiny Powerhouse of Religious Coexistence

The smallest Muslim-majority country on Earth is making world headlines for its embrace of religious diversity. With 1.5 million people living within its borders, Bahrain's true size lies in what is happening inside — its houses of worship for Muslims, Jews, Hindus, Christians, and a Jewish woman as its ambassador to the United States.

The story of Bahrain's religious diversity

Religious diversity in Bahrain is no new concept. The Hindu temple is more than 200 years old and the synagogue is nearly a century old. Houses of worship for multiple faiths stand just one kilometer apart. As a tiny powerhouse of religious tolerance, Bahrain has "something big happening inside." Bahrain recognizes the equality of men and women, and women voted over 100 years ago, and the first girls' school opened 100 years ago.

Leadership and choices

Religious diversity itself is remarkable - a synagogue, Hindu temples, Baha'i temples, and Sikh temples all coexist within a one-kilometer radius. This is even more stark when you know that it's in a country 82% Muslim The first country in the Arab region to appoint a female ambassador, to the United States, and she was Jewish, a very rare thing. "An ambassador is the highest-ranking diplomat, who can be called upon to represent their country in a foreign land. The result was an extremely high-profile diplomatic choice." Bahrain's decision to appoint a Jewish woman as its ambassador to the United States is another pillar of its religious co-existence.

The rare choice of religious tolerance

The country has not only built mosques, a synagogue, a temple, a church and a girls' school, It's made religious freedom a symbol of its identity.

The continued significance of religious freedom

This policy of religious diversity and tolerance has resulted in 1.5 million people living freely with no fear, and free to practice their own traditions. This level of diversity has become a symbol of Bahrain’s identity, and despite the recent political turmoil in the region it has held fast. The uniqueness of this country is a demonstration that peaceful coexistence is possible.

The impact of religious freedom

This small country has something big happening within it — its model of religious tolerance and coexistence. With a Jewish ambassador and houses of worship for Catholics, Hindus, Jews, Muslims and Sikh's all within a one-kilometer radius, Bahrain has earned a unique place in the region. The country's decision to choose a Jewish woman as its ambassador to the United States is another illustration of its commitment to equality, freedom, and religious tolerance. The facts alone should be a beacon to every country.

The limits of Bahrain's model

Bahrain's model of religious diversity and coexistence has earned it a unique place in the Middle East. Bahrain has 1.5 million people living freely within its borders We cannot compare it to the nations on the world map. The smallest Muslim-majority nation on Earth is of course just that — one of a kind. In a little-known example of delayed female suffrage, Bahraini women were granted the vote in 1928—nearly fifty years before women in Saudi Arabia.

The Baha'i community

The Baha' Faith was founded in 1863, there has been a Bahai’ community in Bahrain since 1940s. The Bahai temple was originally built in the 1940s and has been a visible part of its cultural landscape since then.

Visit the tiny island nation

The next year is the perfect time to visit Bahrain. Religious diversity remains a visible and vital part of the kingdom. If you want to see an example of faith-based tolerance on a small scale, go to a mosque, a temple or synagogue, and know that they stand next to each other. The United States is an example of religious diversity, the only difference is that they are of a different scale. If your curiosity is piqued, stay in a neighborhood with a mixture of communities, and walk to the nearby markets to sample the diverse cuisines.