When contemplating the history of Bahrain, we notice that what distinguished this civilization throughout the ages is what it enjoyed from the fundamental characteristics that gave it its uniqueness and its cultural depth. Bahrain, and is still an example of a civilization rooted in faith, open to the other, in humanitarian vision, and flexible in its development, which made it able to interact constructive with the various changes without losing its authentic identity throughout the ages.
Bahrain’s civilization is also open, which knew how to interact with other cultures without being removed from itself. Bahrain’s geographical location made it in direct contact with multiple civilizations, so it benefited from it scientifically and economically, but it did not dissolve in it, but rather its smelting in a distinctive Bahraini Islamic form. This conscious openness has gained Bahrain globally, without losing its local character and its Arabism.
Perhaps one of the most important features of this civilization as well. It is an ethical civilization that made the values of ethics a basis for its approach in all its affairs and fields and in various fields and throughout its history, as it was characterized by its religious tolerance and its acceptance of the other where he lived in Bahrain throughout history, followers of different religions such as Christianity, Judaism, pagans, and basic. What the Prophet approved ﷺ when he sent his books to the rulers of Bahrain, and this tolerance is not a concession and weakness, but rather an embodiment of a civilization that establishes the balance of justice on everyone and is characterized by its generous giving to other civilizations.
One of the striking characteristics is that it is a human civilization, which raises the human being and his dignity, based on the Almighty saying: “We have honored the children of Adam.” Life in Bahrain has always centered around the welfare of man, his education and security. One of the characteristics of the Bahrain civilization is that it is among the few civilizations that are characterized by originality and flexibility, as it is despite its interaction and influence on neighboring civilizations, but it maintained its personality, identity and roots with the extension and strength of its influence, with its ability to adapt, as it did not stop at the past, but rather reconfigured itself at every historical stage, maintaining its essence, open to the era. It has accompanied modernity in education, administration and economics, without cutting its connection to its glorious past.
Moreover, it was characterized by its focus on science and its interest in science and scientists, so it was active in it and throughout its history the scientific movement, so Bahrain witnessed many achievements, innovations, creativity and scientific production that was characterized by it and added it generously to other human civilizations. Science has represented an essential value in Bahraini awareness from an early age, whether in ensuring learning of religion or to spread jurisprudence and knowledge in its vicinity.
Among the characteristics of the Bahrain civilization is that it is balanced that combined the requirements of the soul, the mind and the body, so it appeared in it since its early early temples and rituals and spread in it several religions, which is a believing civilization where its people initiated the conversion of Islam and received it with a firm faith and conscious conviction, so they made its values based on their lives, especially the principles of monotheism, justice, tolerance, and tolerance. Religion was the basis for the renaissance of society, a engine for social cohesion, and an organizer of relations and transactions, which has gained Bahraini society a coherent moral character throughout the centuries.
Among the most prominent traits rooted in Bahrain’s civilization are also that it is a peaceful civilization, which believes that peace is the basis of stability, and that violence does not build in the future. Only, Bahrain has been in history, rejecting violence and wars, keen to coexist, preferring the language of dialogue over the logic of power. This approach was not only a historical heritage, but today it has become a clear starting point in the Kingdom’s policy and positions on regional and international issues, and this position reflects a natural extension of the spirit of Bahraini civilization that believes in man, and sees in peace a higher human value, which does not change the change of conditions. This position is not just a phased policy, but rather a real reflection of a deep civilized essence, believes that peace is the perfect way to advance and prosper, and that peace is a fixed pillar in the historical and contemporary identity of Bahrain. The foregoing emphasizes without a doubt, His Highness the civilization of Bahrain, its affairs, humanity and authenticity.
The characteristics of the Bahrain civilization are neither emergency nor superficial, but stem from the depths of its historical, religious and cultural composition, which made it – and still – a model for a living, balanced, and influential civilization in its regional and global environment.
* Researcher in history and academic
