Eid Mubarak
Prime Minister HRH Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa issued a circular on the Eid Al Fitr holidays for the Hijri year 1433. According to the circular, ministries, state bodies and institutions will be closed on the Eid day and the two days following it. The holidays will be extended by one day if Eid Al Fitr falls on Saturday, a weekly holiday. Eid-ul-Fitr, falls on the first day of Shawwal, the 10th month of Hijri Calender. Muslim festivals are subject to sighting of moon and Eid-ul-Fitr this year is predicted to correspond on the 19th of August 2012.
After observing an austere and a highly disciplined schedule during the holy month of fasting, Eid is welcomed as the occasion full of celebration, food and fun. All those who were fasting during Ramadan are required to offer ‘Fitr’ Zakat to poor and needy on the Eid day prior to offering Eid prayers.
Eid –ul-Fitr is celebrated for a minimum of 3 days in Bahrain and other Gulf countries. All the government ministries, public and private institutions remain closed for the first three days of Shawwal. Eid-ul-Fitr, falls on the first day of Shawwal, the 10th month of Hijri Calender. Muslims festivals are subject to sighting of moon and Eid-ul-Fitr this year is predicted to correspond on the 19th of August 2012. Muslims, who fast for one full month and undergo spiritual changes during Ramadan celebrate this day as Eid-ul-Fitr. All those who were fasting during Ramadan are required to offer ‘Fitr’ Zakat to poor and needy on the Eid day prior to offering Eid prayers. As the Ramadan is coming to an end, there is lot of activity as people prepare for the celebration. During Eid, muslims wear new dress, offer special eid prayer, offer Fitr Zakat , visit families and friends.
Hellobahrain.com extends its best wishes to His Majesty King Hamad Bin Isa Al Khalifa, His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander, and the people of Bahrain and the Islamic world, on the occasion of Eid-ul Fitr.

RAMADAN MUBARAK
Hellobahrain.com extends its best wishes to His Majesty King Hamad, His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander, and the people of Bahrain and the Islamic world, on the advent of Ramadan.
The blessed month of Ramadan is the ninth on the Hijra calendar, which is based on lunar cycle and this year Ramadan started at the sundown on Friday, July 19. Fasting during the day time in Ramdan is compulsory for all sane and healthy muslims who attained puberty. However, travellers, mensurating and lactating women are temporarily exempted from fasting until they are free from these obstacles. During Ramadan life of a Muslim changes very much. Muslims refrain from eating, drinking, smoking and sex from dawn to dusk and involve in special prayers in addition to regular prayers at night seeking the blessing of Almighty Allah. This sacred month contains ‘Lailathul Qadr’ which is a blessed night worthier than thousand months.
Life during Ramadan changes very much in the muslim world, especially in the Arab countries. Working hours are reduced to six in a day for muslims. However, many organizations grant this relaxation to all the staff, irrespective of their religion. Offices start late and close earlier. Ministries and government offices work from 8.00 AM to 1.30 PM. Some offices reschedule their working hours after sunset. Restaurants serve food only after sunset and remain open until dusk for Suhoor, the last meal of the day.
After sunset life goes back to normal. Everything becomes much livelier than other days of the year. People meet, eat, celebrate (religious or totally non religious parties) and so on. So after sunset, life is active and pretty much lively. In Ramadan, Bahrain becomes more alive after sunset. Iftar (meal to break fast) is served in all the masjids and Iftar parties are arranged by many organizations. Most of the malls are open till midnight and some shops even later. Bahrain, being a Muslim country, is very quiet in the day time in Ramadan, but at night you can enjoy your time in malls, theatres, Ramadan tents etc.
The government has reminded non-Muslim residents and visitors to refrain from eating, drinking or smoking during day time at public places. Everyone is expected to respect this blessed month, and those who fail to abide by this regulations will be penalized. Smoking, eating or drinking in public is banned during fasting hours from sunrise to sunset and violators face a fixed fine of BD100 no matter what the offence and may face up to a year in jail. However, non-muslims are permitted to eat and drink in private.
Ramadan comes to an end after 30 days with the sighting of “Shawwal” new moon and Dr. Waheeb Isa Al Nasser, Bahrain University Astrophysics professor and chairman of Bahrain Astronomical Society predicts that August 18 will be the 30th and last day of Ramadan and August 19 will be the first day of the month of Shawwal 1433H.

More stringent rules have been put in place to regulate the admission to sheesha parlours. Fresh warnings have been issued to all places where sheesha is served, to ensure that children do not inhale the smoke. Individuals, under the age of 18 are strictly not allowed in the smoking section of sheesha parlours.

Interior Ministers from across the Gulf pushed for a Gulf union at the 13th GCC Interior Ministries' consultative meeting, held in Riyadh.

Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince, Deputy Premier and Minister of Interior highlighted the importance of the Gulf Union to confront challenges and foreign threats. He asserted that aggression on any member country would be considered an attack on all GCC states and expressed solidarity with the UAE and Bahrain in confronting challenges and threats.