Ajam of Bahrain

Iranian Bahrainis
عجم البحرين/فرس البحرين (in Arabic)
پارس‌های بحرین/ایرانیان بحرین (in Persian)

Iranian school in Bahrain 1939
Languages
Persian (Bahraini, Bushehri, Shirazi), Achomi/Khodmooni, Baluchi, Luri, Azeri, Ajami Arabic,[1] Bahraini Arabic
Religion
Twelver Shi'a Islam, Sunni Islam
Related ethnic groups
Iranians of UAE, Ajam of Bahrain, Iranians of Qatar, Iranians of Iraq, Iranians of Kuwait Iranian Peoples (Lur, Achomi, Baluch, Kurds, Iranian Azerbaijanis), Turkic peoples (Qashqai, Azeri), Huwala

The Ajam of Bahrain (Arabic: عجم البحرین), also known as Persians of Bahrain or Iranians of Bahrain (Persian: ایرانیان بحرین), are an ethnic group in Bahrain composed of Bahraini citizens of Iranian ancestry and Iranian origins.^{[2][3][4][5][6]}

Most families are Shi’ite, although there are a number of Sunni families of Achomi and Baluchi ancestry as well.^{[2][3]: 36, 39 [4][5][6]} They are mostly bilingual.

The Ajam are found in significant numbers in Manama, Muharraq, and Shi’ite majority areas such as Saar, Diraz and Samaheej. Both Samaheej and Diraz have their names derived from Persian.^[7][8]

The Iranians of Bahrain are the descendants of immigrants who immigrated to this country in the 19th and 20th centuries (1800~2000 AD) from the southern provinces of Iran, including Fars province,^[3][9] Bushehr province,^[10][3][11] Hormozgan province, Kohgiluyeh and Boyer Ahmad province, Khoramshahr,^[10] Sistan and Baluchistan,^{[11][3][5][6]} and Lorestan.^[9]

The people of Iranian origins are made up of different ethnic groups,^{[11]: 26-27} including, Iranian/Iranic peoples:

• Achomis (Persian: مَردُم اَچُمی): Iranian people's who migrated from the historical province known as Irahistan.^[5][3] Locally, those with a Sunni background refer to themselves as "Huwala" (Arabic: هوله) and those with a Shia background refer to themselves as "Ajams" (Arabic: عجم).^{[2][5]: 3 [8][11]: 9 [12][13]}
  • Bikhis (from Galadar)^{[citation needed]}
  • Burdestanis^{[citation needed]}
  • Lamardis: The people of Lamard speak Turkish, Persian, Luri, and a dialect mixed between Bushehri, Tangestani, Luri, Persian (Farsi), and Achomi.^[5]: 60
• Baluchs (Persian: مَردُم بلوچ): The older Baloch people are mostly from the Sistan and Baluchestan (Iran) province, with a new addition from the Pakistan and Afghanistan side of Balochistan.^{[6][3]: 45–46}
• Lurs (Persian: مَردُم لُر): from Ganaveh County and other areas of Bushehr,^{[10][9][5][3]: 38, 60} and Kohgiluyeh and Boyer Ahmad, and Lorestan.^[9]
• Basseris (Persian: مَردُم باصری).^{[14][citation needed]}
• Bahbahanis.^[5]
• Kurds (Persian: مَردُم کورد).^{[3]: 42 [15]}
• Balochkara: From Bashagard County. They speak dialects very close to Luri and Kurdish, which are naturally influenced by other Hormuzi dialects and Baluchi. As for what was transmitted by the stories, they are spread over very wide borders, and speak many dialects close to Luri and Kurdish, and they are mostly known as "Balochkara."^[5]: 232

By origin location:

• Bushehr people (Lurs, Achomis, Qashqai, Ellamites, Jews, and a minority Africans and Arabs).^[3][5][3]
• Jahrom people (not to be confused with Achomis): The people of Jahrom are compromised of Fars, Basiri, and Qashqai.^[14][16]
• Kazerun (Kazerun) people: Fars/Pars.^{[17][18][3]: 101}
• Shiraz people:^[3]: 104 Includes Turkmen.^[9]
• Bashagard: Balochkara, Baloch, Jats, Russians, Africans, and some Arabs.^[5]: 232

Other groups:

• Khuzestani Arabs (From Khorramshahr and Ahvaz)^[10][3]
• Hawala Arabs.^[10][3]
• Iranian Turkmen:^[9]
  • Azeris.^[3]
  • Qashqais.^[3][5][14]
• Afro-Iranians: from Minab, Beshagard and possibly few from Bandar Abbas.

Iranian migration into Bahrain goes back to the days of the Sassanid and Achaemenid Persian empire, though in modern times there has been a constant migration for hundreds of years.^[19] There has always been a migration of Persian-speaking Shia into Bahrain.^[20]

Researchers claim that Bahrain was inhabited by partially-Christianized Arabs,^[21][22][23] Aramaic-speaking agriculturalists,^[21][24][25] Persian Zoroastrians, and a small amount of Jews.^[26] Robert Bertram Serjeant, believes that the Baharna may be the last of the "descendants of converts from the original population of Christians (Aramaeans), Jews and ancient Zoroastrian Persians (Referred to as "Majus" by Arabs) inhabiting the island and cultivated coastal provinces of Eastern Arabia at the time of the Arab conquest".^[27][28] The Christian sentiment is supported by Archaeology as Archaeologists uncovered a Christian church in Samaheej belonging to that period.^[29]

Islamic narrations claim that Bahrain was majorly a Zoroastrian population, before the Arab conquest, and that Mohammed took the Jizya from them.^[30][31][32]

The Bahraini population is said to have spoken Syriac and Persian (likely Middle "Pahlavi" Persian) at the time.^[21]

The number began to increase significantly in the year 1850, and due to the natural problems that the Iranian arena faced, such as lack of rain and due to waves of famine, cholera and smallpox outbreaks and increased crime rates, this led to immigration to a large-scale migration to Bahrain.^{[11]: 8 [3]: 60}Bushehri states that no one leaves his homeland, land, or clan unless they were forced to.^[11]: 8

The period 1860-1910 is classified as the "first generation" migration by some.^[3]: 59 It includes places like Bushehr, Bandar Abbas, Bandar Langeh Mohammerah (Khorramshahr),^{[3]: 60 [10][33]} and Lorestan.^[9]

In 1860, the Bushehri family migrates to Bahrain.^{[11]: 13 [3]: 60}

During the early 20th century, the Iranian central government imposed new import and export taxes,^[9] The introduction of taxes was an effort to reinforce the authority of the Iranian state and draw revenue from affluent peripheral areas like Bandar Lingeh and Bushehr, which were key economic hubs in the Gulf during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.^[33] Migrants, familiar with the region, circumvented these restrictions by choosing alternative routes.^[33] To escape the heavy taxation, many merchants simply relocated to the other side, a practice that had been common for centuries due to the familiarity of the region.^[9] prompting the migration of tens of thousands of people from southern Iran to the opposite shores.^[9] Bahrain became a primary destination for these migrants,^[33] leading to a significant increase in its Iranian population.^[33] This period also saw heightened British involvement in the region.^[9][33]

In 1904, anti-Persian rioting broke out in the markets of Manama, marking the first recorded instance of local resistance against migrants in Bahrain.^[33] The British labeled the incident as "anti-Persian" and subsequently took control over the affairs of Iranian migrants in Bahrain.^[33] In response, the Iranian central government requested British assistance to ensure justice for its citizens in Bahrain.^[33] According to historian Stephenson, this request was a temporary measure rather than an attempt to permanently cede jurisdiction, reflecting the historically fluid and overlapping borders in the Gulf region.^[33]

According to Dr. Ali Akbar Bushehri, in the year 1905, the Ajam of Bahrain were estimated to be around 1650.^[11]

By 1909, the British who were treating Iranians as foreigners in need of British protection,^[9] had convinced the Sheikh of Bahrain to oversee the Iranian migrants after spending five years of trying to convince him that they were foreigners,^[33] even though the Iranians themselves had not sought such protection.^[9] This shift marked the introduction of new territorialized identities in the Gulf,^[9][33] replacing earlier conceptions of belonging that were based on familial ties rather than geographic origin.^[9][33] The British court system reinforced this "spatial awareness," bringing a legal and official understanding of belonging that was increasingly tied to territorial boundaries.^[9][33] Despite the British designation of Iranians as foreigners,^[9][33] the Sheikh of Bahrain viewed them as part of his subjects,^[9][33] prioritizing their economic contributions over any concern about their origins.^[9]

In 1910, the local Iranian community funded and opened a private school, Al-Ittihad school, that taught Persian, besides other subjects.^[34] It is considered one of the earliest, if not first, school to be opened in Bahrain.^[35][36] Between 1910 and 1919, in the absence of state-run schools on the islands, some Bahrainis attended Al-Ittihad, contributing to the development of modern education in the region.^{[37]: 293–294} It had a secular approach influenced by the Pahlavi dynasty up until the 1979 Revolution.^{[35]: 293–294}

Between 1919-1923, Members of the Iranian community asked the government to require teaching Persian (Farsi) as part of the curriculum in all schools but this was rejected.^[35]: 292

After Reza Shah came to power in 1925, and his nationalist policy, there was fear of the Persians in Bahrain. Anything that happens in Iran that is annoying to Bahrain or another side of the Gulf, the pressure is immediately put on Iranians living in Bahrani or the rest of the Gulf in general, Bushehri recounts.^[11]: 10

Most modern migration of Iranians to Bahrain started around the year 1928, according according to the oldest document they had in 2009, but this doesn't mean they didn't exist before this period, recounts Dr. Ali Akbar Bushehri.^[11]

During the 1930s, some conservative Sunni families have migrated from Iran to Bahrain due to the fear of Reza Shah imposed "Kashf-e hijab" law and what these families perceived as an "extreme secularism against religion" comparable to "Ataturk".^{[11]: 18, 33}

Between 1920-1940, before World War II, more families migrated from Bushehr to Bahrain to avoid the on-going conflict between Reza Shah and the English.^[11]: 20

In 1941, Mohammed Reza Shah becomes the Shah of Iran.

At 12:50 p.m. on March 26, 1970, London Radio announced that both Britain and Iran had submitted a request to the Secretary-General of the United Nations to send a representative from the international organization to survey the opinion of the people of Bahrain as to whether they wish to remain under British Protectorate or to have Independence or be part of Iran.^{[11]: 48, 52} Musa Al-Ansari recounts that he voted on the promise for the country to be an independent democratic country that respects minorities, "I went to vote as a Bahraini, but I do not want to lose my identity as a Persian."^{[11]: 51, 53}

Bushehri recounts that the "Khomeini Revolution" created a rift between the Ajams of Bahrain.^[11]: 96 Majority of Bahraini Iranians were opposed to the Revolution, but they started supporting it over time.^[11]: 96

Mohammed Al-Qassab recounts "We were proud of the revolution because it overthrew the Shah. It removed from us the worry of ambitions and expansion. But we got in new labyrinths and greed of a different kind wrapped in revolutionary and religious slogans."^{[11]: 97–98}

The 1990s uprising in Bahrain took place in-between 1994 and 1999 in which leftists, liberals and Islamists joined forces to demand democratic reforms.

After the Revolution in Iran, the Iranian School was renamed to "Islamic Republic School."^{[citation needed]} At that time, the school was being funded and operated by the Iranian Ministry of Education.^{[35]: 293–294} The 1979 Islamic Revolution in Iran led to a shift in the school's ideological framework and curriculum.^{[35]: 293–294} Prior to the Revolution, the school followed a secular approach influenced by the Pahlavi dynasty for nearly 70 years.^{[35]: 293–294} For over seventy-five years, the school has provided education to multiple generations in Bahrain.^{[35]: 293–294} In 1996, the "Iranian school" was shutdown by the Bahraini government.^[35][38]

In 2003, Khatami visited Bahrain which marked the first visit of an Iranian president to Bahrain since 25 years,^[39] Khatami gave a lecture in the Arabic language at the Gulf Hotel in Manameh.^[11]: 97 Bushehri recounts "The place was buzzing with Ajams, support, and prayers. Me and two of my friends were there. Everyone raises their voices in prayer except for us. For the first time, I felt that I had become a minority among a minority. Three people, a minority among 1,500.^[11]: 97

The Bahraini people became considerably very religious after the 1979 events,^{[11]: 99–100} and the Wahhabi movement in Saudi which was strengthened by oil exports,^{[40]: 61–62} Musa Al-Ansari recounts: "I do not know why the revolution took this character in Bahrain. The fanaticism that exists in Bahrain does not exist in Iran. In Iran you will see people listening to music and songs, women in half-veils laughing in the street. Here you are an infidel if you listen to a cassette or hear singing. Bahrain is a completely different situation."^{[11]: 99–100} Al-Qassab wonders, "where did we get all this fanatism from?" to which Al-Ansari responds "From Islamic Extremism."^{[11]: 100–101}

In the year 2009, the Iranians of Bahrain were estimated to be around 20% of the local population.^{[11]: 7 [note 1]}

Some of the new generation of Ajams of Bahrain do not identify much religiously and do not give attention to issues such as sectarianism or over religiosity, and rather view all their peers of different backgrounds as one.^{[citation needed]}

They accuse us of not having loyalty. What do they mean, that we have no loyalty? The aggressor will not differentiate between an Arab and a non-Arab. We must all defend this land. That brings us together.

— Nasser Hussein, ^[11]: 83

Iranians of Bahrain can often face discrimination and racism,^[16][8][10] and their loyalty is always questioned.^{[11]: 88–95}

One of the key reasons behind the Bahraini government's promotion of an "Arab identity" framework among its population is to mitigate its deep-rooted historical ties with Iran and its Persian community (Ajam), as well as the indigenous Arab Shi’a (Baharna).^[3]: 72 The intertwined history of Bahrain and Iran, along with their respective peoples, dates back to at least the 5th century BCE during the Achaemenid Empire.^[3]: 72 Over the centuries, both regions have vied for control of the Gulf, with influence shifting back and forth since pre-Islamic times.^[3]: 72 Notably, during the Sassanian Empire, parts of the Arabian Peninsula and Iraq, now predominantly Arab-controlled, were once under Iranian rule.^[3]: 72

Shias in Bahrain or people of a Shia background in general, face discrimination, and are often called "Majoos",^[41] a term invented by Arabs for Zoroastrians; who are a minority today, often accused of "worshipping fire" as well,^[42] which is untrue as Zoroastrians worship "Ahuramazda" and the fire to them is as holy as the Kaabah is to Muslims). It is worth noting that the majority of Bahrain's Shia population are Bahrani people who are mostly (around 50%) eastern Arabs and (around 30%~) North West Asian (Iranian, Caucasian, and Mespotamian) according to their genes,^[43][44] and the two (Baharna and Ajams) can be often conflated by many.^[41] And since to some all Shias are "Iranian Majoos" they often also accuse them of being tails to Islamic Republic of Iran.^[41] It is worth noting this is how some Sunni Iranians think or at least used to think,^[45] and in the end it clapped back at them.^[46]

Since 1980s till mid 2000s, a lot of "Bidoon" Iranians have been deported back to Iran,^[3] many of which were working for BAPCO, the island’s oil company, claimed to have been an attempt to open up more jobs for the native Bahraini population.^{[3]: 74–75}

Based on a study in 2013, the researcher noted: the linguistic and religious situation of Sunni Persians in Bahrain is thorny and sometimes it is intentionally confused between "Hole\Hawala Arabs" and "Sunni Persians".^[12] The same study also claims that Sunni Achomis did not face any systematic racism.^[12]

In 2015, Al-Wasat columnist and journalist “Hani Al-Fardan” wrote an article in which he explained (indirectly) that a lot of people are getting in the fashion of changing their family names either for political or financial reasons, he explained “if one knew the original names and the names they changed to, they wouldn’t be surprised.”^[47]

In 2019, Dr. Abdullah Madani, writer of Al-Ayam newspaper and specialist in Asian affairs, describes in an article how a Bahraini of Persian origin once protested to him that he used his family name among the Ajams. Bahrain has brought. Madani had dedicated one of his articles to Bahrainis of Ajam of Iranian race and especially Shiites. In his article entitled "Kabir al-Ajam fe Al-Bahrain", he mentioned the name of "Akbari" family as one of the most famous Ajam families in Bahrain, along with the names of many other families. Ismail Akbari (husband of writer Sosan Al-Shaer and father of Bahrain Consultative Council member Bassam Ismail Al-Bon Mohammad "Akbari") strongly protested. In his opinion, the name "Ajam" refers only to Shias of Iranian origin, not to Sunnis, and his family, who are "Bastaki", not "Ajami".^[48]

While students in Iran study Formal Arabic,^[49] Bahrainis of Iranian origin or ancestry (whatever their background) cannot study Persian (Farsi), or any Iranian language, the suggestion was made between 1919-1923 and ignored..^[35]: 292

Sultaneez was a local Bahraini band that operated between 1989-2003, they are known for laying the foundation for "Bandari music," they have produced songs in Achomi (Bastaki dialect), Farsi, and Arabic. Their Bastaki song "Naz Akon Naz Akon" inspired by Yusuf Hadi Bastaki's folkloric song of the same name, is one of the most popular songs of this group.^[50] Kouros Shahmiri's song "Naz Nakon", which was released later (1998 AD),^{[51][note 2][52]} was inspired by Sultaneez's song "Naz Akon", which was released on June 25, 1990.^{[53][note 3]} Additionally, the song "Chai Chayi" by Koros was also inspired by the song of Soltaniz "Chayi Chayeem Kalam Dard Akon", which was released in 1989.^[54][55] Their legacy still lives on to this day, and many Bahraini Iranians listen to them to remember their roots.

Other Bahraini Persian bands include:

• Al-Kawakib (فرقة الکواکب البحرینیة)
• Sharks (فرقة شارکس البحرینیة)
• Al-Ghuraba'a (فرقة الغرباء البحرینیة)
• Al-Danah (فرقة الدانة البحرینیة) - This group was composed of "Janahi" family members.
• Al-Salam (فرقة السلام البحرینیة)

Related languages:

• Bahraini Arabic (Distinct from "Bahrani Arabic" but with similarities): the main spoken Arabic dialect in Bahrain, both Bahraini and Bahrani have been influenced by local languages.^{[56][57][58][8][59]}
• Bahraini Farsi (known as "Ajami" locally): This dialect is identical to Bushehri Farsi.^[57][60] Bahraini Farsi has two dialects:
  • Muharraqi (related to Muharraq).
  • Manami (related to Manamah).
• Achomi/Laristani (known as "Khodmooni" in Bahrain, and sometimes referred to as "Ajami" or "Holi"^[61][13]), a branch of the old Pahlavi "Middle" Persian. This is the original tongue and language of the Achomi people.
• Luri: a branch of Middle/Pahlavi Persian.^[62][63]
• Baluchi, a branch of Pahlavi and Parthian and on the other hand, it has near kinship to the Avestan.^{[64][65][66][67][68]}
• Turkic languages: Azeri and Qashqai

The Ajam speak southern Persian dialects distinctive to the cities they have originated from, for example:

• "Why" in official Persian dialect is "baráye che" (Persian: برای چه؟) while in Bahraini Persian dialect is "seche" (Persian: سیچه؟).
• "Money" in official Persian dialect is "Púl" (Persian: پول) while in Bahraini Persian dialect is "peyse" (Persian: پِیسه).
• "Do you want water?" in official Persian dialect is "áb mikháhi" (Persian: آب می خواهی؟) while in Bahraini Persian dialect is "ow mikhay" (Persian: اُو مي خای؟).

The Iranian languages has had the biggest foreign linguistic influence on Bahrani and Bahraini Arabic.^{[8][56][57][58][59][69]} The indigenous Bahrani dialect of Bahrain has also borrowed many words from Persian, for example:

• Chandal - woods used in constructing the roof of old buildings.
• Bādgir - towers with single or two, three or four sided openings above dwellings in order to let wind air into the building to create a current and hence cool the air inside the lower floor rooms. Now they refer to them as "Mulgaf" (ملقف) instead.
• Hast - Existing, for example Bahrainis sometimes say "Sh-hast?" (Meaning: What's up?).^[69]: 43
• Bannad - He closed.^[69]: 83
• Khosh - Good.^[69]: 120
• Buuz - Mouth (noted to be from an older Iranian dialect)^[69]: 134

The migration of the Bushehri community to Bahrain led to a significant rise in the importation of certain goods, including books, rosewater, tea, and spirits, which distinguished them from the local Arab population.^[70]: 60

Persians in Bahrain are known and are famous in Bahrain for bread-making.^[71]

Matam Al-Ajam Al-Kabeer (Arabic:مأتم العجم الكبير) is the first Persian Matam and the largest such matam in Bahrain. It was founded in Fareej el-Makharqa by Abdul-Nabi Al-Kazerooni, a rich Persian merchant who was a representative of the Persian community in the council of the hakim Isa ibn Ali Al Khalifa.^[72] Himself an immigrant from the Dashti region of Iran, he single-handedly organised processions, collected donations and hired orators (Arabic: خطيب) to speak at the matam.^[72] Construction started in 1882 as a specialized building where Ashura, a holy day in Shia Islam, would be marked with processions, ceremonial flagellation and passion plays commemorating the death of Imam Hussain.^[73] The matam is still used for this purpose.

It was originally built with simple construction material such as palm tree trunks and leaf stalks. The matam was formally established in 1904 where it was decided that the matam would be renovated with rocks, clay and cement.^[74] Initially in the 1890s, the matam was primarily supported by Persian merchants, with two-thirds of the donation coming from the Bushehri and Safar family, respectively. For much of the 20th century, the matam had relied on yearly donations of money and land from rich and poor members of the Persian community and from waqf revenue.^[73] The matam also had an emergency relief fund that was to be distributed to the poor and to needy individuals; the matam provided financial aid and shelter to people following the collapse of the pearling market in the 1930s.^[73]

Upon the death of Abdul-Nabi Al-Kazerooni in 1927, Abdul Nabi Bushehri, himself a Persian immigrant from Bushehr and a well-respected figure in the Persian community, took control of the matam.^[72] Unlike his close friend, Bushehri ran the matam with other notables of the Persian community, forming a de facto board. Upon Bushehri's death in 1945, the board took over. In order to prevent confusion, the board appointed a specific member, Hasan Baljik, to act as key carrier to the matam and responsible for programs and budgetary issues.^[72] In 1971, an administrative board consisting of a president, vice president, secretary, treasurer and others was set up, all of whom were rich merchants.^[72]

One of the notable local delicacies of the Achomi Persians in Bahrain is Mahyawa, consumed in Southern Iran (and specifically in Irahistan) as well, is a watery earth brick coloured sauce made from sardines and consumed with bread or other food.

Another one is Khanfaroosh, Khan (خان) meaning "House" and Foroosh (فروش) meaning "Selling," which translates to "Selling of the house."^[75][76] It has "Achomi" roots in southern Iran (particularly Hormozgan province).^[77][78]

Another local "Achomi" delicacy is "pishoo" made from rose water (golab) and agar agar.^[8]

Cham-Chamoo is a sweet naan that is made similar to Qeshm Island version.

Other food items consumed are similar to other Iranian cuisine. For example, Kaleh Pacheh, is very famous in Bahrain, in addition to Iranian Grills.

Famous Iranian restaurants in Bahrain include "Isfahani" (named after Isfahan) and "Takht Jamshid" (named after a famous historical site in Persopolis).^[79][80]

Many of the previously mentioned families are of Persian origin based on historical records and the locations of their ancestral homelands.^[3][8] However, many choose to identify as Arabs to avoid discrimination or controversy.^[8] Ultimately, this often depends on the strength of their Persian cultural ties and the surrounding environment, which can lead to differing views within the same family about whether their heritage is Persian or Arab.^[8]

It is also common for these families to add "Al" (Arabic: ال), meaning "The," to their surnames to make them sound more Arabic. Some view this as abandoning or distancing themselves from their Persian roots, while others see it as a way to avoid racial issues. This shift is evident today, as many have adopted Arabic attire and now only speak fluent Arabic.^[8]

In addition to this, many names of villages in Bahrain are derived from Persian,^[69][8] which are thought to have been as a result of influences during the Safavid rule of Bahrain (1501–1722) and the previous Persian rules.^[69][8] Bahrain’s historical connection with Persian culture, particularly through the Sassanian and Achaemenid Empires,^[3]: 72 has influenced many place names and cultural elements in the region,^[69][8] City and village names such as Manama, Karbabad, Salmabad, Karzakan, Samaheej, Tashan, Duraz, Barbar, Demistan, Karrana, Shakhura, Shahrekan, and Jurdab were originally derived from Persian, suggesting Persian influence on the island's history.^[69][8]

Current Name	Previous Name	Persian root	Translation
Al-Manama (Arabic: المنامه)	Manamah	Man-Nameh (Persian: من نامه)	The name "Manāmah" was first recorded around the year 730 AH (approximately 1330 AD) during the visit of Turān Shah of Hurmuz to the island. At that time, it had already been annexed by his predecessor, Tahamtam II of Hurmuz.[69]: 23  Derived from two words, meaning I and Speech. Originally it was called simply "Manamah" before being renamed to Al-Manamah. In Persian, "man" (من) means "me," and "nameh" (نامه) means "letter," similar to the structure of words like "Shah Nameh" (Book of Kings)​. Some claim that Al-Manama is actually derived from Arabic Al-Muna'amah (المنعمة) and its people were referred to as Almuna'ami; in the Shia book by Sayyed Mohsen Alameen "A'yan Alshia" (أعيان الشيعة) a Shi'a scholar from Manama or Muna'ama was mentioned Shaykh Ali bin Umran bin Fayad Almuna'ami Albahrani (شيخ علي بن عمران بن فياض المنعمي البحراني)
Al-Adliya	Zulmabad[11]: 106 [81]	Zulm Abad (Persian: ظلم‌آباد)	Like the name of a village in Gotvand County, Khuzestan, Iran – contrary to the original name, this place is not oppression, and it has become the city of lovers.[81]
Al-Diraz (Arabic: دراز)	Diraz	Diraz (Persian: دراز)	Long.[82] A village stretched along the coastline.
Busaiteen	Beseytin	Beseytin (Persian: بسیطین)	Similar to a name of a village in Khouzestan, Iran.
Al-Malkiya	Malchiyeh	Mal Chiyeh (Persian: مال چیه)	What is it (for)? - The locals still refer to it as "Malchiyeh."[83] Furthermore, it is named similarly to village in Khouzestan.
Shahrakan (Arabic: شهركان)	N/A	Shahr-akan	Old Town
Karzakan	N/A	Karz-akan
Shakhura (Arabic: شاخورة)	Shahkhura	Shah-khora (Persian: شاه خورا)	آخور شاه (اصطبل پادشاه) Stable of Kings
Jurdab (Arabic: جرداب)	Gerdāb	Gerd-āb (Persian: گردآب)	Whirlpool
Salmabad (Arabic: سلماباد)	Selmābād	Selm-ābād (Persian: سلم‌آباد)	Would translate as "the peaceful settlement" or "the place of peace," with "سلم" (Salm) meaning "peace" and "آباد" implying a settled or prosperous area.
Karbabad (Arabic: كرباباد)	N/A	Karb-ābād (Persian: کرب‌آباد)	Would translate as "the settlement of sadness" or "the place of sorrow," as "کرب" (Karb) refers to "sadness" or "distress" and "آباد" again indicates a settled or inhabited place.
Demistan (Arabic: دمستان)	Dabistan[69]: 134	Dabistan (Persian: دب اِستان)	The term "Dabistan" (دبستان) is a Persian word that typically means "school" or "place of learning."[69]: 134  Dab (دب) refers to "learning" or "education." -stan (اِستان) is a suffix meaning "place" or "land of." So, Dabistan can be understood as "the place of learning" or simply "a school."
Daih (Arabic: ديه)	N/A		Village[69]: 134
Karrana (Arabic: كرانه)	Kerrāneh	Kerrā-neh (Persian: کرانه)	The Coast.[84]
Barbar	Barbar	Bar+Bar (Persian: بار بار)	Bar Bar - Dobār (two times) - The word 'bar' may have been repeated to confirm the arrival of shipments or foreign cargo to the shore.
Samaheej (Arabic: سماهيج)	Samahīj	Se-māhi (Persian: سِه ماهی)	Three fish.[69] On the origins of the name Samahīj, al-Bakri quoting others says: "Samāhīj is from Persian se (three) and māhi (fish) and hence, 'the three fish'." The sound change in the final "i < y" of the Persian form māhi is rather pronounced locally "-j" which is a phonetic feature known as "aj ajah" and ascribed to Qudā-ah tribes as in the word Tamīmi (a person belonging to bani Tamīm tribes) realized Tamīmij.[69]: 22, 134

• Abdulhussain bin Ali Mirza, current Minister of Electricity and Water Affairs of Bahrain
• Fatema Hameed Gerashi, Bahraini swimmer
• Munira Fakhro (Arabic: منيرة فخرو), a prominent figure among Bahrain’s Ajams community, faced oppression as her efforts for liberal and democratic reforms were overshadowed. Despite her advocacy, she was often ignored and demonized, while the public gave their support to Islamist political parties. This shift in support ultimately empowered Islamist factions over more liberal or democratic movements in Bahrain, sidelining her vision for a more progressive political landscape.
• Karim Fakhrawi, co-founder of Al-Wasat, considered one of the more popular newspapers in Bahrain by winning numerous awards
• Ghada Jamshir (Arabic:غادة جمشير), women's rights activist
• Zainab Al Askari (Arabic:زينب غلوم العسكري), author and actress
• Ahmed Sultan - Executive Director – International Offices & Business Development (Manufacturing, Transport & Logistics) at Economic Development Board (EDB) and former Sultanies band lead singer.^[85]
• Sonya Janahi - ILO Governing Body Member, IOE employers VP Asia, Bahrain Chamber Board Member, University of Bahrain Board Member, Franchise Expert, Keynote Speaker. Sunni background.
• Khalid Fouad - Bahraini Singer of maternal Achomi ancestry.
• Khaled Janahi - Chairman of Vision 3, Member of Bahrain Economic Development Board and former partner at Pricewaterhouse Coopers. Sunni background.
• Eman Aseery - Bahraini Poet
• Neyla Janahi - Bahrain TV Presenter. Sunni background.
• Norah Al-Baluchi (Baluch) - Popular Bahraini Baluchi Actress.
• Hussain Javad Parveez - Bahraini Activist.
• Ahmed Al-Bastaki - Bahraini Artist.
• Hanan Redha\Reza - Bahraini Singer.
• Linda Janahi - Chief of Corporate Services at Bahrain EDB.^[85]
• Mohammed Al-Alawi - Chief of Marketing & Communications at Bahrain EDB.^[85]

• 
  Sultanies band in their last Persian Album
• 
  Shia Ajams Parade during the year 2015
• 
  Hussain Javad Parveez
• 
  Norah Al-Baluchi (Baluch)
• 
  Ghada Jamsheer (Achomi)
• 
  Neyla Janahi (Achomi)
• 
  Sonya Janahi (Achomi)
• 
  Fawzia Abdullah Zainal
• 
  Khaled Janahi (Achomi)
• 
  Eman Aseery (Achomi)
• 
  Mohammed Falamarzi
• 
  Ahmed Al-Bastaki (Achomi)
• 
  Khalid Fouad (Achomi)
• 
  Bahraini singer Hanan Redha

• Achomi people
• History of Bahrain
• Baharna
• Iranian diaspora
• 'Ajam of Kuwait

• Between Modern and National Education: The ‘Ajam Schools of Bahrain and Kuwait
• Stephenson, Lindsey (2018). Rerouting the Persian Gulf: The Transnationalization of Iranian Migrant Networks, c.1900-1940 (PhD). Princeton University.
• Fuccaro, Nelida (2005), "Mapping the transnational community: Persians and the space of the city in Bahrain c.1869-1937", in Al-Rasheed, Madawi (ed.), Transnational Connections and the Persian Gulf, Routledge, pp. 39–74, ISBN 978-0-415-33135-7

• Matam Al Ajam Al Kabeer, officially recognised in 1881
• Matam Al Ajam Al Kabeer