PublicView_Directory

Information for Seafarers

BAHRAIN

Map location

Countrywide Info
Universal Time Zone (+/- GMT, CET, UTC)	3
International Country Code	973
IDD International Prefix	0
NDD National Prefix

Country Currency

Dinar (BD)= 1,000 fils. Notes are in denominations of BD20, 10, 5 and 1, and 500 fils. Coins are in denominations of 100, 50, 25, 10 and 5 fils.

Currency Restrictions

Public Holidays Observed

New Year's Day – 1 January
Al-Hijrah (Islamic New Year) –January
Ashura –January
Mouloud (Birth of the Prophet) – March
Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadam) – October
National Day (2 days) – 16 December
Eid al Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice) – December
Note: Muslim festivals are timed according to various phases of the moon and the dates given above are approximations.

Main Religions

Muslim

Languages Spoken

Official language is Arabic. English is widely spoken in business and trade circles. Farsi (Persian), Hindi and Urdu are also used.

Customs Allowance
and Regulations

Health Information

Typhoid, Hepatitis A and B occur.

What to Wear	Sports clothes may be worn in the street, and short dresses are acceptable for women. Smoking is very common. Revealing clothing should be avoided.
Countrywide Communications	Telephones: International direct dialing is available at a number of locations. Blue phone booths are coin-operated, red booths are phonecard operated and silver booths are operated by both cards and coins. Phonecards can be purchased In denominations of 500, 200, 100, 50 and 25 dinars. Reduced rates operate between 19.00-07.00 Mon-Thurs and all day Friday. Telephone cards: Call boxes use both coins and cards, which are economical and popular.
Tourist Information	During the lunar month of Ramadan that precedes Eid al-Fitr, Muslims fast during the day and feast at night and normal business patterns may be interrupted. Many restaurants are closed during the day and there are restrictions on smoking and drinking. Some disruption may continue into Eid al-Fitr itself. Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha may last anything from two to 10 days, depending on the region. The sale of alcohol is not encouraged, although it is available to non-Muslims in nightclubs, good restaurants and luxury hotels (except during Ramadan). It is insulting to display the soles of the feet or shoes. Also, do not accept food or anything else with the left hand
Embassies	Embassy of India in Bahrain Building 182, Road 2608 Area 326, Ghudaibiya Adliya - 326 Manama, Bahrain Telephone: +973 712683/ 712785 Fax: +-973 17 715 527 Web Site: http://www.indianembassy-bah.com Email: hoc@indianembassy-bah.com Consular Agency of Netherlands in Manama, Bahrain 10th floor, Al Matrook Building Diplomatic Area Manama Kingdom of Bahrain Telephone: +973-17530704 Fax: +973-17537040 Email: dutchcon@batelco.com.bh Embassy of Philippines in Manama Bahrain Villa No. 992, Road No. 3119 Manama 331 Bahrain Telephone: +973 250-990 or (+973) 259-599 Fax: +973 258-583 Email: manamape@batelco.com.bh
ITF Contacts
STCW Contact	Ministry of Finance & National Economy Customs and Ports P.O. Box 15 Manama Bahrain Telephone: +973-727168 Fax: +973-727344
Other Useful Infomation