Over the decades, Bahrain witnessed an active cultural movement and a remarkable interest in reading newspapers, pamphlets, publications, books and magazines. Since the end of the nineteenth century, intellectuals, writers and poets have been interested in reading magazines that enter Bahrain in the Arabic language, such as “Al-Urwa Al-Wuthqa” magazine issued from Paris, and “Al-Muqtataf” magazine. which is issued from Egypt.
For his part, the author and researcher Mansoor Sarhan emphasized Bahrain’s interest in journalism since ancient times. Many newspapers and magazines used to arrive at the Sheikh Ibrahim bin Mohammed Al Khalifa Library in Muharraq at the beginning of the twentieth century. It is known that Sheikh Ibrahim bin Mohammed Al Khalifa had a subscription to 19 magazines. The most important of which are Al-Liwa and Al-Dubaa, and other Arabic magazines, and he was interested in collecting books.
Sarhan said in an interview with Al-Bilad, the people of Bahrain had interest and correspondence in writing in the Egyptian magazine Al-Manar since 1899. Some of them used to correspond with the magazine to ask questions, such as Nasser Al-Khairy, which opened the way in that era for correspondence and writing, and since those periods, newspapers were acquired among the circles. This confirms that Bahrain’s journalistic heritage has an ancient historical dimension. In March 1939, Abdullah Al-Zayed issued the first Bahraini newspaper, “Al-Bahrain Newspaper,” and it continued until 1944 due to the effects of World War II and stopped publishing.
Sarhan mentioned that the government issued the Official Gazette in 1948, and it is the only newspaper that is still continuing. In the fifties of the twentieth century, Bahrain witnessed a cultural movement and a group of newspapers such as The Voice of Bahrain, Al-Qafila Newspaper, Al-Watan Newspaper, Al-Mizan Newspaper, and Al-Khamila Newspaper were published, pointing out that The first issues of the Voice of Bahrain newspaper issued in 1957 were issued in the form of a 4-page bulletin, as the beginnings were modest in printing at that time.
Sarhan pointed out that there is an enlightened thought since ancient times with interest in issuing publications specialized in women and children’s affairs, as 4 magazines related to women and maternity, a magazine for the child, and other specialized magazines were published by the academic authorities and the authorities affiliated to the court, which confirms that Bahrain is proactive in issuing newspapers and magazines, and the large number The issuance of publications is evidence that the Government of Bahrain has a great interest in facilitating licenses for the issuance of newspapers and magazines, which has made Bahrain the beacon of the Gulf press.
Bahraini newspapers
In recent years, a number of newspapers and magazines have been published, making the publishing and distribution movement witness intense competition among those interested in cultural affairs.
On February 1, 1976, Akhbar Al-Khaleej newspaper was established as a daily newspaper for Akhbar Al-Khaleej House for Press, Publishing and Distribution. It was founded by Mahmoud Al-Mardi and was its editor-in-chief until 1979.
On March 9, 1989, Al-Ayyam newspaper was established with its first issue. It is the second daily newspaper published in Arabic in Bahrain.
The Al-Ayyam Foundation for Press and Publication issued a daily newspaper in English, “Bahrain Tribune” on March 8, 1997.
On September 7, 2002, the first issue of Al-Wasat daily newspaper was published, and in 2003 the weekly Al-Ahed newspaper was established. Al-Methaq daily newspaper was launched on May 4, 2004. As for Al-Watan daily newspaper, its first issue was issued on September 11, 2005, and Al-Aqt newspaper was launched. The daily on February 21, 2006, the first issue of the daily Al-Bilad newspaper was published on Wednesday, October 15, 2008, and the weekly Al-Naba’ newspaper was issued on June 18, 2008.
Local magazines
Bahrain witnessed the issuance and establishment of a number of weekly, monthly and quarterly magazines, such as the “Gulf Commercial Communities” magazine in 1999, as a quarterly magazine dealing with commercial and tourism communities, and the Arab Journal of Lunch and Nutrition in the year 2000 launched by the Bahrain Center for Studies and Research concerned with food, nutrition and food security in the Arab world. And Echo of the Week magazine in the year 2000, after transferring its ownership to Al-Ayyam Foundation, to complement the efforts of its first owner, Ali Sayyar. In the year 2000, Bashayer periodical magazine specializing in kidney diseases was established.
The Arab Journal of Accounting was also established in 1997. It is a specialized periodical scientific journal that is printed and published by the University of Bahrain. In 1998, the Journal of Human Sciences was published by the Colleges of Arts and Education at the University of Bahrain. The Gulf Businessmen Magazine was established in 1999 as a quarterly magazine specialized in success stories of Gulf men. In 1999, the monthly family magazine was established, concerned with family and community affairs, and in 1995, Afaq magazine, concerned with science and community affairs, was launched.
Whereas, the Standards and Consumer magazine was established in 1996. It is a quarterly magazine concerned with consumption affairs that was previously published by the Ministry of Development and Industry. In 1994, the specialized monthly magazine “Technology and Industry” was established. In 1994, the Bahrain Cultural Magazine was established, issued by the National Council for Culture and Literature. Mother and Child magazine was established in 1994 as a health monthly, and Mustafa magazine was established in 1995 as a monthly magazine specialized in children’s affairs.
The monetary bulletin was published and distributed as an economic and financial bulletin on the Bahrain Monetary Agency in the year 1993, and in the year 1990 the Journal of Physical Education and Sports Sciences was established as a sports magazine published every 4 months. Founded in 1983, it is a monthly newsletter concerned with video, cinema, television, theater and electronics affairs, in both Arabic and English.
The Bahrain Medical Health Journal was established in 1979. As for Al-Wathiq magazine, it was a semi-annual periodical established in 1982. The Bahrain Charitable Society launched a quarterly cultural magazine in 1983. Within the year 1983, Kalimat Cultural Magazine was established on behalf of the family of writers and writers. In 1950, a magazine was established. Voice of Bahrain Literary “Social Monthly”.
As for “Here is Bahrain”, a special publication for Bahrain Wireless Radio turned into a magazine in 1957, and it was published weekly by the Department of Public Relations of the Government of Bahrain. Al-Hidaya magazine was established in 1978 on behalf of the Ministry of Justice and Islamic Affairs. The Education magazine concerned with educational affairs was established in the year 2000. .
A specialized quarterly magazine for Arab exhibitions and conferences was also launched, in addition to the issuance and establishment of many magazines such as Training and Human Resources, Bahrain Sports, Awan Cultural Magazine, Industry and Trade Magazine, Cultures Magazine, Al-Warraqah Magazine, Neighboring Horses Magazine, Cultures Magazine, and the monthly Al-Nawab magazine issued since May 2003 for the General Secretariat of the House of Representatives, Integrity Magazine, Al-Tajdid Magazine, Layalina Magazine, Strategic Studies Magazine, Ishraq Magazine, Popular Culture Magazine, Sabaya Magazine, Anas Magazine, Durrat Al-Khaleej Magazine, Dilmun Cultural Magazine, Watani Magazine, Antique Magazine, Studies Magazine, and Legal Magazine , Bahraini Journal of Human Rights, Visions of Righteousness Journal, Simat Journal, Constitutional Studies Journal, a semi-annual specialized scientific periodical issued by the Constitutional Court, Al Saada Magazine and Mayadeen Magazine, most of which have stopped issuance, and some scientific and academic journals are still continuing.
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