Bahrain

Bahrainis observing public prayers in Manama, the capital and largest city of Bahrain. *Photo from Wikipedia December 16 is Bahrain’s National Day. The United Kingdom recognizes Bahrain’s independence in 1971. Bahrain was one of the earliest areas to convert to Islam in 628 AD. Following a period of Arab rule, Bahrain was occupied by the Portuguese in 1521, who in turn were expelled in 1602 by Shah Abbas I of the Safavid dynasty under the Persian Empire. In 1783, the Bani Utbah clan captured Bahrain from Nasr Al-Madhkur and has since been ruled by the Al Khalifa royal family, with