Language
Overview
The official language of Bahrain is Arabic. English is spoken as a second language in business and commercial circles, and in schools and universities. Due to the many guest workers, Farsi (Persian), Urdu (Pakistani national language, which is also spoken in some states in India) and Hindi (Indian official language) are also widespread. French or German is sometimes also spoken in hotels. Arabic is spoken by around 320 million people worldwide as their mother tongue, and another 60 million people speak it as a second language. Because of its importance as a sacred language in the Islamic faith, Arabic has developed into a world language. It is next to Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish one of the 6 official languages of the United Nations. Apart from Bahrain, Arabic is also the official language in Egypt, Algeria, Eritrea, Israel, Iraq, Yemen, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Tunisia and the United Arab Emirates, among others, although the local dialects sometimes differ greatly from one another. The Cairo dialect is generally understood due to the large Egyptian film production. Modern Standard Arabic is rarely used as a means of oral communication, such as reading the news or attending church services. Written Standard Arabic is the written language for all dialects. It is written from right to left. In the Arabic alphabet there are only consonants and long vowels. Arabic is a cursive script, ie the individual letters of a word are connected with each other.
Public Holidays
01/01/2022 New Year
05/01/2022 Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan)
07/09/2022 Eid al-Adha (Feast of Sacrifice)
08/08/2022 Ashura
10/09/2022 Milad un Nabi (Birthday of Prophet Muhammad)
16.12.2022 National holiday
Source: Top-mba-universities.com
The dates given for Islamic holidays are calculated according to the lunar calendar and therefore shift from year to year.
During the fasting month of Ramadan, which precedes Eid al-Fitr, Muslims are forbidden to eat, drink or smoke from sunrise to sunset, which causes disruptions or deviations in the normal course of business (including reduced opening hours of shops and authorities) and therefore there may be restrictions for travelers.
Many restaurants outside the hotels are closed during the day, and the consumption of alcohol and cigarettes is restricted or e.g. T. even strictly forbidden, even for non-Muslim vacationers. In hotel complexes it must be taken into account that meals and drinks during Ramadan may only be taken in the hotel restaurant or in the room.
Travelers should expect increased sensitivity in religious matters as well as in respect of Islamic traditions.
Some interruptions may also occur during Eid al-Fitr. This festival, like Eid al-Adha, is indefinite and can last from 2-10 days depending on the region.
Duty free shopping
Overview
The following items can be brought into Bahrain duty-free (persons aged 18 and over): 400 cigarettes and 50 cigars and 250 g of tobacco (in opened packages); 1L spirits and 6 cans of beer (non-Muslims only); 0.23 ml of perfume in opened bottles; Gifts worth up to 250 BD.
Prohibited Imports
Weapons, narcotics and drugs, pornographic material, cultured pearls, ivory and objects made of ivory. Dogs and cats from continental Europe. More information is available from Countryaah.com.
Contact addresses
Embassy of the Kingdom of Bahrain
(Visa can also be issued online www.evisa.gov.bh.)
Klingelhöferstrasse 7
Berlin
Germany
+49 (30) 86 87 77 77. Consular Section: +49 (30) 86 87 77 99.
http://www.mofa.gov.bh/berlin/Home.aspx
http://www.mofa.gov.bh/berlin/Home.aspx
Mon-Fri 10am-2pm.
Consulate General of the State of Bahrain
(Visa can also be issued online www.evisa.gov.bh.)
(Also responsible for Austria.)
Chemin Jacques-Attenville 1, PO Box 39
Chambésy/Genève
Switzerland
+41 (22) 75 89 640.
Business
Business etiquette
Business people should wear a suit and tie or suit. Personal contacts and recommendations play a decisive role in the process. Great importance is attached to polite conversation. Bargaining is common and verbal agreements are binding. Business trips are best scheduled between October and April. Business hours: Usually Sat-Wed 08.00-13.00 and 15.00-17.30, Thu 08.00-13.00. Some offices are also open Mon-Thu 8am-3.30pm. Authorities: Sat-Wed 7am-2.15pm.
Business contacts
Ghorfa Arab-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry Garrisonkirchplatz 1, 10178 Berlin, Germany Tel. +49 (0)30 278 90 70. Internet: www.ghorfa.de Austrian-Arab Chamber of Commerce Lobkowitzplatz 1/15, PO Box 76, 1010 Vienna, Austria Tel. +43 (0)1 513 39 65. Website: www.aacc.at Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry King Faisal Highway, PO Box 248, Manama, Bahrain Tel. +973 17 38 00 00. Website: bahrainchamber.bh
Communication
Phone
According to Abbreviationfinder.org, the country code for Bahrain is 00973. Bahrain has one of the most modern international telecommunications networks in the Gulf region. There are no area codes. Public phone booths have become rare.
Mobile phone
GSM 900/1800, 3G (2100) and 4G (1800Mhz). Network operators include the Bahrain Telecommunication Company (BATELCO), Zain Bahrain and Viva. Roaming contracts exist. It may still be worth purchasing a Bahraini prepaid SIM card. Mobile phones can be rented from the network operators.
Internet
Major providers include BATELCO, Zain Bahrain and Viva. There are internet cafes in Manama and other cities. Hotels, restaurants and cafés usually provide their guests with free WiFi.
Post office
Post to Europe takes about 3-4 days. The main post office is in Manama. Post offices can be found quickly using the Bahrain Post location finder. Opening times: Sat – Thu 07.00 – 19.30. Reliable international courier services are available. Delivery within one day.
