Arad, Bahrain

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title: "Arad, Bahrain" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["populated-places-in-the-muharraq-governorate"] topic_path: "general/populated-places-in-the-muharraq-governorate" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arad,_Bahrain" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::data[format=table title="Infobox settlement"]

Field	Value
official_name	Arad
native_name	عراد
settlement_type
image_skyline	AradFort.jpg
imagesize	250px
image_caption	View of Arad Fort
dot_x
pushpin_map	Bahrain
pushpin_label_position	bottom
pushpin_map_caption	Location in Bahrain
subdivision_type	Country
subdivision_name	Bahrain
subdivision_type1	Governorate
subdivision_name1	Muharraq Governorate
leader_title1
established_title2
established_title3
unit_pref	Imperial
area_land_km2
population_blank1_title	Ethnicities
population_blank2_title	Religions
coordinates
elevation_footnotes
elevation_ft
postal_code_type
::

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|postal_code = |area_code = |blank_name = |blank_info = |blank1_name = |blank1_info = |website = |footnotes = NOTOC Arad () 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. As of 2023 there is a population of approximately 46,000.

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.

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. ::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/61/Greater_flamingos_(Phoenicopterus_roseus).jpg" caption="Greater flamingoes in Arad Bay, February 2022"] ::

History

The name Arad comes from the Greek word Arados, the Greek name for Muharraq island alongside Tylos for the main Bahrain island. It was believed that Arados was originally a Phoenician settlement, as described by the Greek historian Strabo.

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. Archaeological evidence suggests 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.

References

References

2. "BAHRAIN 2018 INTERNATIONAL RELIGIOUS FREEDOM REPORT".
3. "Arad, Bahrain".
4. {{cite EB1911. Holdich. Thomas Hungerford
5. "The Supreme Council for Environment, Kingdom of Bahrain".
6. (2002). "The Archaeology of the Arabian Gulf". Routledge.
7. (1986). "Bahrain Through the Ages: The Archaeology". Routledge.
8. "Arad Fort (Qal'at 'Arad)".
9. "[http://www.moe.gov.bh/en/Daleel.aspx#c Directory] {{Webarchive. link. (2009-09-02 ." Ministry of Education. Retrieved on 8 September 2009.)

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