Bahrain's Mosque Numbers Rise by 130 in Just Six Years

TDT | Manama 

Email: mail@newsofbahrain.com

A new statistic released on the Government Data Platform has revealed a significant increase in the number of mosques in the Kingdom of Bahrain over the past six years. The number of mosques and prayer halls has risen by 130, growing from 1,206 to approximately 1,336 across all governorates of the Kingdom.

The data also shows a notable increase in the number of muezzins and imams. In 2023, the number of muezzins reached 875, compared to 821 the previous year, marking a rise of 54 muezzins within a single year. The number of imams also grew by 29, reaching 566 in 2023, up from 537 in 2022.

The number of Eid prayer halls has doubled, reaching 378 in 2023, compared to just 189 in 2022.

The number of preachers and muezzins has seen notable changes over the past few years. In 2018, there were 103 preachers and 790 muezzins. By 2020, the number of preachers increased to 116, reaching 126 in 2021, and 132 in 2023. As for muezzins, their number in 2019 was 797, followed by 805 in 2020, 813 in 2021, 821 in 2022, and finally, 875 in 2023.

According to the data, there are approximately 15 religious event halls associated with the Sunni Endowments in Bahrain.

The doubling of the number of mosques and prayer halls in the Kingdom reflects Bahrain's commitment to implementing projects for the construction and development of places of worship. This growth is in line with the visionary developmental journey led by His Majesty the King, which focuses on fulfilling the religious needs of all members of society and achieving spiritual and religious fulfillment for all worshippers. Religious places, whether historical or archaeological, hold significant value in Bahraini society as part of its cultural and human heritage.

Mosques and prayer halls in Bahrain are renowned for their exquisite architectural designs and intricate Islamic decorations. The Kingdom’s cities and villages are home to numerous grand and historic mosques, which have become landmarks due to their size, capacity, and remarkable architectural beauty. The largest mosque in Bahrain is the Al-Fateh Islamic Center, which can accommodate over 7,000 worshippers and features the world's largest fiberglass dome, adorned with beautiful Kufic calligraphy.

The large number of mosques and prayer halls in all governorates, along with the noticeable rise in the construction of new mosques and the restoration of old ones, highlights the Kingdom’s commitment to supporting the development and construction of places of worship. This effort ensures that mosques continue to serve their noble purpose in society by spreading awareness of the correct moderate religious values and reinforcing national unity, cooperation, solidarity, and community building.