Bimhjar

Bimhjar Provinsi Bimhjar مقاطعة بيمهجار
Province
The New Bimjagarta Mosque, which was completed in 2015
Flag
Nickname(s):  Abode of Peace, The Peacock Province
Country	Slokais Islands
Establishment	01 January 1970
Capital	Cupertino
Largest city	Bimhjagarta
Official languages	English, Spainsh, Slokasian, Arabic
Demonym(s)	Bimhjarians
Government
• Governor	Irwan Tirto Abdullah (National Alliance)
• Upper house	Bimhjar Senate
• Lower house	Bimhjar Assembly
National representation
• Slokaisian Legislature	18/643
Population
• 2020 census	1,765,230 (14th)
Postal	BI

Bimhjar is a province of Slokais Islands home to 1,765,230 people. Bimhjar's capital city is Cupertino with 243,860 people, yet it's largest and most important city is Bimhjagarta with 550,340 people. Bimhjar was founded in 1970, splitting from Ambonar Province. Bimhjar is well known for it's unique Islamic culture and language and is more economically known for coffee production and quarrying.

History

Bimhjar was originally settled between 30,000 to 40,000 years ago predating the arrival of much of indigenous peoples of the rest of Slokais by several thousands years. These settlers also inhabited much of the Slokasian islands, however in other area's were wiped out around 5,000 years ago. In Bimhjar, the Koah survived due to remoteness living in general isolation until the Kamjanian introduced Proto-Zindism around 500 BCE. Built during this time, were multiple Zindist temples which have survived and continue to be practiced by Zindist minority. However the Kajanian Empire collapsed in the 900s and was replaced by the Tedaya Kingdom which largely traded with interior Koah for wood and metals. In 1310, Islam was introduced by the Kaijanese Sultanate who quickly spread it along the coastal regions with adherence growing quickly. This led to a general seperation between the Koa and the new Bimhj ethnic group. Bimhjagarta was built in the 1400s as a secondary trading port for Kaijan as cross-cultral exchange occurred between Arabic traders and Bimhj locals. Eventually, a sultanate was established in 1508 by Sultan Riahan Al-Mohamed with Bimhjagarta as it's capital. Bimhjar Sultanate would soon be the one's to began trade with Costeno as they had landed and founded Islas Dolphines nearby. Eventually, Bimhjar would be forced to grant the southern section of the island to Costeno directly in-exchange for not spreading Catholicism to the people of Bimhjar.

Provincehood

In 1968, the Bimhjar Front, a rebel group declared there intent to rejoin Slokais Islands only if a separate province was created from the existing Islas Dolphines Province. Although being initially denied by the Provisional Government, Bimhjar was created as a state for the Bimhj people with a start date of January 1st 1970. As the day approached there was violence as ethnic Costenos and Mescaldos who were moving south of the border clashed with Bimhj locals. To prevent this a miltary operation began to facilitate travel, with some Bimhj radicals even targeting the miltary with terrorist acts. Another issue with Provincehood was the status of Cupertino which had a mixed Bimhj-Mescaldo population. Cupertino was eventually split into two separate city's on each side of the dividing line, which was drawn to reflect local ethnic boundaries.

Modern Era

Bimhjar was economically undeveloped as of 1970, however over several decades the economy was transformed via goods manufacturing and a controversial expansion of the mining sector. Although it employed Koah-Nah native's in the interior region, loss of biodiversity and of sacred lands led to protests during the 1990s. Eventually a section of the interior was declared as a Tribal Township with rules surrounding development. In addition the Koah-Nah also began growing there native languages with education and signage helping there language back from extinction. In 2007, there was a brief Islamic insurgency inspired by various movements in Kaijan rose with an attack of a bank in Bimjagarta. However they were quickly captured with the help of locals as Islamic faith leaders stepped in to combat extremism. Although there have been several smaller incidents often inspired by Kaijanese radicals, Bimhjar is studied in comparison to Kaijan due to the government effective responses.

Geography

Bimhjar is the northern 2/3rds of Islas Dolphines Island, with a border with Islas Dolphines Province following the Rio Tinto into the mountains before following the 1608 Conversion Line until the city of Cupertino were it follows Pre-1970 ward boundaries until reaching the sea at the Friendship Bridge. Bimhjar also includes several outlying islands such as Sumnep Islands located directly to the north and Kanegara Island located between Bimhjar and Kaying-Ko Province. Bimhjar is generally mountainous, with flat coastal wetlands being ideal for farming and industry. The Pramiha Mountains form the center of the province creating a natural barrier, and allowing for Koah-Nah and other tribal groups to remain separate for many centuries. Located nearby is Lake Rian Pohnarwa Mohamed, named for a revolutionary leader. The lake is the largest body of water and produces much of the electricity in the province.

Demographics

Bimhjar has a unique demographic mix due to it's history. The largest ethnic group is the Bimhj at 54.6% which are classified as Indigenous, other indigenous groups such as the Koah-Nah can also be found with 11.3% been classified as Other Indigenous. Following them are the Mescaldo at 14.7%, the ethnic mix of Indigenous and Costanoan's. 8.7% are classified as just Costenoian, mainly in the city of Cupertino and along the border with Dolphin Isle. Following them are Ren at 5.3%, which are descended mainly from traders and can be found in large communities in major settlements. The remaining population is divided between Blancos, Kaijanese and a recently growing Mallacan immigrant community in Cupertino.

Religion

Islam has been historically the largest religion, however they are no longer a majority with 48.6% identifying as Muslim. Christianity is the second largest at 25.8 with high membership among Mescaldo people. A recent growing faith is Revivalism with 11.8% being members of a Rivalist Church, mainly the Ambonar Church of God. In addition, small communities of Minjian and Zindism exist also these are more cultural practitioners then faithful ones.

Language

Officially there are 4 major languages, English, Spainsh, Slokasian and Arabic. Slokasian is the most commonly used as a lingua franca to communicate between various ethnic groups, however English and Arabic are also spoken a large number of the population as they are taught in schools, with Arabic being used by Islamic institutions. Due to the large number of unique Indigenous groups there are 15 languages with some form of local status in at least one Township or Tribal Area. The most spoken is Nahumanese with 7.3%, with a high concentrations' in the Pramiha Mountains.

Politics

Bimhjar follows national politcal trends with the National Alliance and the Conservatives being the largest. As of 2022, the National Alliance remains in control of government with Irwan Tirto Abdullah being the Governor of Bimhjar. Muslim Union is also a large party, although the party's focus on Kaijan has led to some conservatives leaving for the Conservative Party.

Education

Education is managed by the Bimhjar Department of Education in coordination with local townships. In addition, religious education is prominent in the province with the Islamic Educational Organization of Slokais, managing several schools. In addition, Bimhjar has 3 public university's, Bimhjar Technical University, The University of Cupertino and Bimjagarta Provincial University. Bimjagarta is also home to The Rian Pohnarwa Mohamed Institute, one of the most prominent Islamic universities in Slokais.