UAE leaders congratulate Bahrain as country celebrates its Golden Jubilee

December 16 marks accession of ruler who led island nation with a rich and vibrant history to independence

Bahraini cultural performers outside the Bahrain Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai

Happy birthday Bahrain! The kingdom on Thursday is celebrating its Golden Jubilee and the UAE's leaders have already sent their congratulations.

The President, Sheikh Khalifa, sent a message of goodwill to the King of Bahrain Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, and Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, also sent messages to King Hamad and to Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Bahrain.

Bahrain is a place with a rich history. Archaeologists believe the island may have been the heart of the Dilmun Empire, which dominated the Arabian Gulf at least 4,000 years ago.

The King of Bahrain, Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, was congratulated by UAE leaders. Photo: Bahrain News Agency

But the modern kingdom declared sovereignty on August 15, 1971. This month’s celebration marks the accession of King Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa on December 16, 1961, and under whose reign the country became independent.

As with the UAE, Bahrain marks the occasion with a public holiday, fireworks and plenty of illuminations. With the opening of the new Our Lady of Arabia cathedral, the largest Catholic church in the Gulf, the current Ruler, King Hamad bin Isa, also received a goodwill message from Pope Francis I.

Modern Bahrain’s history begins in the late 19th century, when the island became a protectorate of the British Empire, controlled, like Abu Dhabi, by a treaty that bound its external affairs to London.

The streets outside Our Lady of Arabia cathedral are festooned with the Bahraini and Papal flags. John Dennehy / The National

The cathedral can seat more then 2,000 worshippers. Mazen Mahdi / AFP

Inside the cathedral. John Dennehy / The National

Our Lady of Arabia Cathedral in Awali, south of the Bahraini capital, Manama. Mazen Mahdi / AFP

Photographs show the construction of the cathedral. John Dennehy / The National

Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the King of Bahrain, granted the 9,000 square metre plot of land eight years ago. Mazen Mahdi / AFP

The church resembles a tent in which the Prophet Moses met his people, as described in the Old Testament. John Dennehy / The National

A band gets ready for the service. Mazen Mahdi / AFP

A choir sings at the opening of the cathedral. Mazen Mahdi / AFP

Light floods the cathedral from different angles. Mazen Mahdi / AFP

Bahrain has long allowed faiths other than Islam the freedom to worship in peace. Mazen Mahdi / AFP

Inside the Our Lady of Arabia Cathedral. Mazen Mahdi / AFP

The cathedral is located close to an oil field. Mazen Mahdi / AFP

The grey walls are made with pietra serena stone that is only produced in Florence. Photo: Katarina Holtzapple

Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, centre, presents a replica of Our Lady of Arabia Cathedral to Sheikh Abdullah. Mazen Mahdi / AFP

Bishop Paul Hinder said the Catholic Church was grateful to Bahrain. Pawan Singh / The National

After 1947, the island became the seat of the Gulf Residency, and home of the most senior British official in the region, who in turn controlled a network of political agents, the equivalent of ambassadors, for the other countries under British influence, including Qatar and what is now the UAE.

In the early years of aviation, visitors to the Gulf would arrive in Manama by plane before travelling to other parts by passenger ship.

All this came to an end in 1971.

But the path to independence was not an easy one. At first a larger union of nine Arab emirates was proposed, to include Bahrain, Qatar and the seven emirates of the UAE.

However, Bahrain declared it would go it alone in October 1970.

The Dilmun burial grounds in Bahrain, which archaeologists say are evidence of the island's place at the heart of the Dilmun Empire 4,000 years ago. Alamy

A bigger problem was Iran, which claimed sovereignty over the island.

After negotiations, Iran agreed to let the people of Bahrain choose their future. A referendum conducted by the UN offered a choice between independence and Iranian control.

The poll in March 1970, rejected Iran. The representative of the UN Secretary General said “the overwhelming majority of the people of Bahrain wish to gain recognition of their identity in a full independent and sovereign state free to decide for itself its relations with other states”.

The vote was recognised by the UN through Resolution 278 on May 11, 1970 and accepted by the Shah of Iran Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, who said: “Our policy and philosophy is to oppose occupation of other territories by force.” His country launched a military invasion of the Greater and Lesser Tunbs off the UAE's coast the following year.

King Hamad became ruler in March 1999, after the death of his father, King Isa.

In September 2020, Bahrain became the second Gulf country, after the UAE, to normalise relations with Israel.

Bahrain’s long history was recognised in 2019, when Unesco, the United Nations science and culture organisation, awarded World Heritage status to the Dilmun burial mounds.

Bahrain looks to the future - in pictures

Bahrain is planning $30 billion of infrastructure projects to boost the economy and is looking to attract global investors. Pictured, King Fahd Causeway connects Bahrain to Saudi Arabia. Alamy

Bahrain International Airport's new $1.1 billion terminal opened on January 28, 2021, boosting its capacity to 14 million passengers a year. Photo: Bahrain Airport Company

Bahrain is planning a 109km rail network, similar to the high-speed driverless Metro system that launched in Dubai in 2009. Chris Whiteoak / The National

The World Trade Centre and skyline of Manama in Bahrain. Bahrain's financial sector contributes about one third of the country's GDP and employs about 3 per cent of its workforce. Getty Images

Mantis Bahrain Hawar Island for holidaymakers will open in Bahrain in 2024. Photo: Accor

At the southern end of Bahrain Island, a new complex of 14 artificial islands has risen out of the sea. Designed for residential living and tourism, Durrat Al Bahrain includes 21 square km of new surface area for more than 1,000 residences, luxury hotels and shopping malls. Photo: Nasa / AFP

A billboard outside the Bahrain International Exhibition and Convention Centre in Manama urges the public to sign up for the Covid-19 vaccine. AFP

A souk in Manama. The Bahrain economy has been suffering since oil prices tumbled in late 2014. Reuters

Bahrain will increase VAT to 10 per cent in order to balance its budget. Reuters

Bahrain's government has offered early retirement to public sector employees to reduce the workforce. Reuters

Bahrain's GCC allies have reaffirmed their pledge to support the country's economy. Reuters