The king of Bahrain hosted a celebration welcoming the first night of the Jewish holiday Hanukkah on Saturday evening.
A video of the event, hosted by King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, shows kaffiyeh-wearing sheikhs dancing with Orthodox Jews at the menorah lighting ceremony. Held in Bahrain, the event was attended by local and visiting Jews, business people and other Bahrainis.
Last year, King Hamad also marked Hannakah by inviting the director of the Conference of European Rabbis to recite the traditional Jewish blessings while lighting the menorah candles. The king said that "all the religions live with no fear" in his kingdom.
Jews celebrate Hanukkah for eight nights, commemorating the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem. The holiday is scheduled based on the Jewish calendar and can take place any time between late November and late December of the Gregorian calendar.
Although Bahrain only has about 50 Jews remaining in the country, the kingdom has seen several Jews serve in prominent government positions over the years.
Houda Nonoo, a Jewish Bahraini, was the kingdom's first female ambassador to the United States and the first Jewish ambassador hailing from an Arab country. She served from 2008 to 2013.