Muharraq

Muharraq المحرق
View of Muharraq with the skyline of Manama in the background
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Muharraq Location in Bahrain
Coordinates: 26°15′N 50°37′E / 26.250°N 50.617°E / 26.250; 50.617
Country	Bahrain
Governorate	Al Muharraq Governorate
Population (2012)
• Total	176,583
• Density	32.9/km2 (85/sq mi)

Muharraq (Arabic: المحرق‎‎; transliterated: Al-Muḥarraq) is Bahrain's third largest city and served as its capital until 1932 when it was replaced by Manama.^[1][2] The population of Muharraq in 2012 was 176,583.

The city is located on Muharraq Island and has long been a centre of religiosity. Bahrain International Airport is also located on the island. Adjacent to Muharraq are the man-made Amwaj Islands, known for their large buildings, hotels and beaches. Muharraq is home to Muharraq Club, which is Bahrain's most successful football club. The city is also known for its souq (traditional market) and as a home of traditional arts and music; Ali Bahar, a popular and successful Bahraini singer is from Muharraq.

History

Muharraq's origins are ancient phoencian birthplace Tylos, its ancient name was Arwad. It also going back to the time of Dilmun some 5,000 years ago, but it came to prominence in the historical records during the era of Tylos when Bahrain came under domination of the Selucid Greeks, and Muharraq was the centre of a pagan cult dedicated to the shark god, Awal. The city's inhabitants, who depended upon seafaring and trade for their livelihood, worshipped Awal in the form of a large statue of a shark located in the city.

By the 5th century AD, Muharraq had become a major centre of Nestorian Christianity, which had come to dominate the southern shores of the Persian Gulf. As a sect, the Nestorians were often persecuted as heretics by the Byzantine Empire, but Bahrain was outside the Empire's control offering safety. The names of several of Muharraq's villages today reflect this Christian legacy, with Al-Dair meaning 'the monastery' and Qalali meaning a 'monk's cloisters'.

Taken by the Portuguese (1521) and the Persians (1602), Al-Muḥarraq passed to the control of the Āl Khalīfah dynasty in 1783 with the rest of Bahrain.^[3]

Coordinates: 26°15′N 50°37′E / 26.250°N 50.617°E / 26.250; 50.617

Economy

Gulf Air has its headquarters in Muharraq,^[4] and Bahrain Air formerly had its headquarters in the Mohamed Centre in Muharraq.^[5][6]

Government and infrastructure

Building 586 in Muharraq houses the headquarters of the Civil Aviation Affairs, an agency of the Ministry of Transportation.^[7]

Education

A doorway in the traditional architectural style in Muharraq

The Ministry of Education operates government schools. Boys schools include Abu Farias Al-Hamdani Primary Boys School, Al-Maari Primary Boys School, Hassan bin Thabit Primary Boys School, Omer bin Abdulazeez Primary Boys School, Sheikh Mohammed bin Essa al-Khalifa Primary Boys School, Omer bin Al-Kattab Primary Intermediate Boys School, Abdul-Rahman Al-Nasser Intermediate Boys School, Tariq bin Zeyad Intermediate Boys School, and Moharraq Secondary Boys School. Girls schools include A'amena bint Wahab Primary Girls School, Al-Muharraq Primary Girls School, Mariam bent Omran Primary Girls School, Zubaida Primary Girls School, Istiklal, Khadija al-Kubra Intermediate Girls School, Zanoobia Intermediate Girls School, and Muharraq Secondary Girls School.^[8]

The French School of Bahrain is located in Busaiteen, in Muharraq Municipality.^[9]

Firjan (districts)

Firjan is the plural of the Arabic word Fareej which translates to district. The oldest and largest Fareej in Muharraq is Fareej Al Bin Ali. It was established by Sunni Arabs belonging to the Al Bin Ali tribe in the 17th century and until recently, members of the tribe still lived in that Fareej.

Other Firjan in Muharraq include: Al Bu Khmais, Al-Gumra, Al-Zayayina, Al-Ma'awida, Bin Ghatim, Al-Jowder, Bin Hindi, Al-'Amamira, Al-Mahmeed, Al-Hayaj (or Al-Hayayeej), Al-Sanqal, Al-Dosa, Al-Sagha, Sheikh Abdullah Sheikh Hamad, and Bin Khatir are all Sunni districts. Bin Hindi is Sunni fareej. Freej station is divided into two parts one part there are Sunni and in another part there are Shia.

See also

Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Muharraq.

• Amwaj Islands, man-made islands near Al Muharraq.
• Christians in the Persian Gulf

References

Governorates of Bahrain
Current divisions (governorates)	Capital Muharraq Northern Southern
Former divisions (regions)	Al Hidd Manama Western Region Central Governorate Central Region Northern Region Muharraq Rifa and Southern Region Jidd Haffs Hamad Town Isa Town Hawar Islands Sitra
ISO 3166-2:BH

Portuguese overseas empire
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