Public & National Holidays in Bahrain

Instructions

• 1

  January (Gregorian Calendar)

  
  January 1 (New Year)
  
  The day is celebrated throughout most parts of the world as it marks the start of a New Year of the Gregorian calendar.
• 2

  May (Gregorian Calendar)

  
  May 1 (Labour Day)
  
  Like in all other parts of the world, the Labour Day is also celebrated in several Middle Eastern states including Bahrain. It’s a day to commemorate the labour community around the world, paying respect to their hard work and efforts. It’s also known as ‘Eid Al Oumal’ (Workers Day) among the locals.
• 3

  December (Gregorian Calendar)

  
  December 16 (National Day)
  
  It’s the National Day of Bahrain, upon which the whole country celebrates their independence and their unity as a single nation. It’s a state declared holiday, with banks, educational institutions and industries being shut down.
  
  December 17 (Accession Day)
  
  This is a day to commemorate the anniversary upon which Isa Bin Salman Al Khalifa was crowned king of Bahrain. The late king is the father of current monarch, Hamad Bin Isa Al Khalifa.
• 4

  Muharram (Islamic Calendar)
  

  
  Muharram 1 (Islamic New Year)
  
  It’s the first day of the Islamic New Year, with the local population celebrating it with real zeal. The Islamic New Year like some other calendars depends upon the lunar cycle. There is no relative fixed date on the Gregorian calendar as due to the dynamic nature of these months, the date keeps on changing. It might be in the month of December one year, and then a few years later the Islamic New Year might start somewhere in September. This day is considered of great value among Islamic communities all around the globe, as the people pray to be blessed for the upcoming year.
  
  Muharram 9 & 10 (Day of Ashura)
  
  Just like many Islamic countries that have a great number of Shite Islamic community, the state of Bahrain also declares public holiday for the 9 and 10 Muharram of Islamic calendar to honour the martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Hussain, who has been an influential personality in Islamic history.
• 5

  Rabi Ul Awwal (Islamic Calendar)

  
  Rabi Ul Awwal 12 (Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday)
  
  This day commemorates the birth of Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H), who is considered to be Allah’s last messenger upon Earth. The Prophet is more of a leader figure to the Islamic community and is therefore respected and followed with great fervor.
• 6

  Shawwal (Islamic Calendar)

  
  Shawwal 1, 2 & 3 (Eid ul Fitr)
  
  It’s a three-day series of state declared holidays to commemorate the end of the Holy month of Ramadan, in which the Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset. It’s also based on the Islamic Lunar calendar, and marks a period of feasting for the local populace, after a whole month of fasting.
• 7

  Zulhijjah (Islamic Calendar)

  
  Zulhijjah 9 (Arafat Day)
  
  It’s celebrated to commemorate the final sermon of Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) which he delivered at the Holy site of Mecca to the Muslim community.
  
  Zulhijjah 10, 11 & 12 (Eid ul Adha)
  
  Also known as the Feast of Sacrifice, these days are declared holidays to commemorate Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his only son, in the name of God. In honour of his practice, Muslims all around the world sacrifice livestock to pay homage to his great sacrifice. It’s also known as the Big Feast.