bahrainthismonth.com | FEBRUARY 2026 FIRST WORD 4 Cover: RAMADAN KAREEM George F. Middleton Publisher and Chairman FEBRUARY 2026 Scan to signup to our monthly newsletter Copyright Reserved 2005-2026 The concept, content, style and design of this publication remain the exclusive property of Red House Marketing (Jersey) Ltd. and must not be reproduced in any form whatsoever without prior written permission. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained in this publication. However, Red House Marketing cannot accept legal responsibility for any error or omission. • Views expressed in this magazine by journalists and writers are not necessarily those of the publishers of Bahrain This Month. Licensed by the Ministry of Information Publication Code: TA001 ISBN 1 899 348 09 3 1 Year subscription Bahrain: BD24 Gulf and international subscriptions available on request. Printing Press: Union Press, Bahrain Published monthly by: Red House Marketing P.O. Box 20461, Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain Tel: (+973) 17 813-777 Email: [email protected] www.bahrainthismonth.com February arrives with a change of pace across the Kingdom. With Ramadan approaching, Bahrain begins to shift towards a month shaped by reflection, generosity and togetherness. In this edition, we explore how the season is experienced in real life, from the way hotels and teams adapt with care, to the cultural moments that give Ramadan its distinctive vibe. Our coverage of the holy month spotlights the season’s standout settings and experiences, designed to bring tradition and refinement together. Gergaoon, one of the Kingdom’s most recognisable mid-month celebrations, also takes centre stage, alongside a practical guide to Ramadan etiquette that goes beyond the obvious and captures the everyday behaviours that help this month feel respectful for all. Alongside Ramadan, our second major focus is Fintech, reflecting Bahrain’s position as a regional leader in regulated digital finance and real-world innovation. We examine the platforms powering the Kingdom’s digital engines, and we go deeper on the human thinking behind the technology. Shafaq Al Kooheji of the Benefit Company offers a grounded look at the payment infrastructure that underpins daily life, while Waseem Mamlouk argues that the next shift may be far bigger than digital banking, with machines increasingly acting as economic players. This month’s interviews also include Her Excellency Sara Ahmed Buhiji on leadership beyond headline numbers, and Khalifa F. Alzayani on the weight of a name and a legacy built across Bahrain’s hospitality landscape. Japanese Ambassador to Bahrain, Her Excellency Asako Okai, reflects on futurefocused Bahrain–Japan relations, while our restaurant quiz offers a lighter way to explore cultural exchange through food. In Woman This Month, we meet Megan Jones, Swechha Sharma and Bahraini writer Jana Hany, and we step into the working world of Bayan Fikree in our In Her Shoes feature. We also cover the Pakistan Women’s Association’s new tenure, a Ramadan modesty edit curated by Karen Crasto, opinion from Rachel Radford and Fifi Kiwan, and a fresh travel guide for solo adventures by Safia Nawaz. As ever, Bahrain This Month remains your Guide to a Great Way of Life. Stay connected with us in print, online at www.bahrainthismonth.com, and on social media @bahrainthismonth for the latest updates, news and features. Warmest regards, George F. Middleton Publisher and Chairman George F. Middleton Editorial Director Kristian Harrison Assistant Editor Shruti Ramesh Contributors Yousef Alfaddagh, Badia Dhrari, Ouiam El Hassani, Bill Grieve, Fifi Kiwan, Pria Masson, Safia Nawaz, Rachel Radford, Dr. Tejender Kaur Sarna Designers Deson Cunado Shahid John Photographer & Bystander Layout Editor Subeesh Kumar N S Bystander Production Sabu Sebastian Webmaster Nishad Eapen Videography Sathesh Baby Media Sales, Digital & Content Team Creative Partnerships Director Amna Syed ([email protected]) Karen Crasto ([email protected]) Social Content & Communication Executive Shannan Peter Vaz Shaymaa Elgayar Distributor Al Hilal Group (Hilal Direct Services) THE TEAM Administration and Finance Samson Vaz, Marlyn Ragasa Distribution Team CM Abdul Rahman, Gopal Arul Kumar
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