Of the country’s population of approximately 1.3

million, about half are Bahraini citizens and half

are expatriate workers, primarily from South Asian

countries. Almost half of the expatriate workers are

non-Muslim (approximately 250,000–300,000). Although

there are no official statistics, the population of Bahraini

citizens is estimated to be at least 60 percent Shi’a Muslim

and approximately 35 percent Sunni Muslim, with

approximately 1 to 2 percent non-Muslims, including

Christians, Hindus, Sikhs, Jews, and Baha’is. Compared

to other countries in the region, Bahrain is among the

most tolerant of non-Muslim religious minority communities.

The government officially recognizes at least

19 Christian denominations, a tiny Jewish community,

Hindus, and Sikhs. A small Baha’i community is recognized

as a social entity. Most Bahrainis acknowledge

that their society has been historically tolerant of all

faiths and religiously pluralistic to a degree that is notable

in the region.

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