| Samaheej | |
| Native Name: | سَماهِيج |
| Native Name Lang: | ar |
| Pushpin Map: | Bahrain |
| Subdivision Type: | Country |
| Subdivision Name: | Bahrain |
| Subdivision Type1: | Island |
| Subdivision Name1: | Muharraq Island |
| Unit Pref: | Metric |
| Population Density Km2: | auto |
Samaheej (Arabic: سماهيج Samāhīj) is a village in Bahrain on the northern coast of Muharraq Island. Al Dair village lies to its northwest, while Galali lies to its southeast. It is north of Bahrain International Airport.
Samaheej (Mashmahig)[1] was home to a historical Christian community, the remains of which have been uncovered through archaeological excavations at the site. Before the discovery of oil in Bahrain, most of the inhabitants were involved in farming, especially date palms, and fishing.
The name Samahij is from Persian se (three) and mahi (fish) and hence, ‘the three fish’. This name has to do with the geographical form of the area on which this village is situated.
Among the famous people from Samaheej is Abdullah bin Saleh al Samahiji (1675 - 1722), a medieval Islamic scholar, prominent within the Akhbari school of Shiism during the Safavid era.
The Ministry of Education operates government schools. Samajih Primary Intermediate Boys School is the sole government school within Samaheej.[2]
Samaheej had a Nestorian Christian presence during its early history, with old foundations of a Nestorian monastery being discovered in the village.[3] [4] In 2024, it was published that archaeologists from the University of Exeter and the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities discovered a well-constructed building likely serving as the bishop's palace, containing domestic rooms, a kitchen, and early Christian symbols, including three plaster crosses and Chi Rho graffiti.[5]