Arad, Bahrain
{{refimprove|date=September 2009}}
{{Infobox settlement
|official_name = Arad
|other_name =
|native_name = عراد
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|image_caption = View of Arad Fort
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|pushpin_map = Bahrain
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|pushpin_map_caption =Location in Bahrain
|subdivision_type = Country
|subdivision_name = Bahrain
|subdivision_type1 = Governorate
|subdivision_name1 = Muharraq Governorate
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__NOTOC__
Arad ({{langx|ar|عراد}}) is a town in Bahrain, located on Muharraq Island. It was originally a small farming village inhabited by Baharna Shia, but later expanded to include new middle-class housing, which brought with it a large Sunni population.{{cite web |title=BAHRAIN 2018 INTERNATIONAL RELIGIOUS FREEDOM REPORT |url=https://bh.usembassy.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/141/BAHRAIN-2018-INTERNATIONAL-RELIGIOUS-FREEDOM-REPORT.pdf |website=US Embassy Bahrain |accessdate=23 November 2019}} As of 2023 there is a population of approximately 46,000.{{Cite web |title=Arad, Bahrain |url=https://www.hellomondo.com/bahrain/arad/ |access-date=2025-02-17 |website=HelloMondo |language=en}}
Geography
Arad lies east of Muharraq City and northwest of the town of Hidd. It was originally a separate island (called Arad Island) but land reclamation over the course of the 20th century joined Arad and Muharraq islands.{{cite EB1911 |mode=cs2 |last=Holdich |first=Thomas Hungerford |authorlink=Thomas Hungerford Holdich |wstitle=Bahrein Islands |volume=3|page=212 }}
= Arad Bay =
The town is home to Arad Bay, a protected mangrove area and recreational park. Opened in 2010, the 10 million BHD park covers 3.3km of walkways and includes four bridges. The bay is home to wildlife including plankton, fish, seaweed, in addition to seasonal migratory birds such as greater flamingoes.{{Cite web |title=The Supreme Council for Environment, Kingdom of Bahrain |url=http://www.sce.gov.bh/en/AradBayProtectedAreaPark?cms=iQRpheuphYtJ6pyXUGiNqgSxn9EcJfZs |access-date=2022-11-05 |website=www.sce.gov.bh}}
History
The name Arad comes from the Greek word Arados, the Greek name for Muharraq island alongside Tylos for the main Bahrain island.{{cite book |last1=Rice |first1=Michael |title=The Archaeology of the Arabian Gulf |date=2002 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1-134-96792-6 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=JvKIAgAAQBAJ&q=%22Arad%2C+Bahrain%22+-wikipedia&pg=PT33 |accessdate=23 November 2019 |language=en}} It was believed that Arados was originally a Phoenician settlement, as described by the Greek historian Strabo.{{cite book |last1=Al-Khalifa |first1=Shaikh Abdullah Bin Khalid |title=Bahrain Through the Ages: The Archaeology |date=1986 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-0-7103-0112-3 |page=400 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2hmbc9evgB0C&q=arados+greek+bahrain&pg=PA400 |accessdate=23 November 2019 |language=en}}
The Arad Fort, the Al Muharraq Stadium, and the headquarters of the Islamic Society (Bahrain) are located in the town. The Site of Arad Fort, is a 15th-century fortress that served as a military garrison during Portuguese occupation in the 1520s.{{Cite web |title=Arad Fort (Qal'at 'Arad) |url=https://everycastle.com/arad-fort/ |access-date=2025-02-17 |website=Every Castle |language=en-US}} Archaeological evidence suggest it was a significant settlement part of the Dilmun civilization.
=Governance=
The town is administered under the Muharraq Governorate.
Education
The Bahraini Ministry of Education operates government schools nationwide. Within the Arad area, they operate boys schools include Al Kawarzmi Primary Boys School, Al-Dair Primary Boys School, Arad Primary Boys School, and Arad Primary Intermediate Boys School. Girls schools include Al Oroba Primary Girls School, Arad Intermediate Girls School, and Arad Primary Girls School."[http://www.moe.gov.bh/en/Daleel.aspx#c Directory] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090902124036/http://www.moe.gov.bh/en/Daleel.aspx#c |date=2009-09-02 }}." Ministry of Education. Retrieved on 8 September 2009.
References
{{reflist}}
{{Muharraq Governorate of Bahrain}}
Category:Populated places in the Muharraq Governorate
{{Bahrain-geo-stub}}