14 June 2014
Minister of Culture Thanks His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al-Khalifa Khamis Mosque Museum
A new museum is to be set up at the site of the iconic Khamis Mosque in Manama. The project has already won the backing of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al-Khalifa, Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Premier. H.E Shaikha Mai bint Mohammed Al-Khalifa, Minister of Culture, announced the plan as she received First Deputy Premier’s Office director-general Shaikh Salman bin Khalifa bin Salman bin Mohammed Al-Khalifa to discuss cultural and tourism developments in Bahrain. The project expected to be complete in 2015 as part of festivities marking the Year of Heritage -2015 under the theme “Our Heritage, Our Wealth”.
The minister paid tribute to HRH Prince Salman bin Hamad Al-Khalifa for backing the project, hailing his keenness on promoting the cultural momentum. H.E pointed out that The plan consists in renovation, maintenance, equipment and modernization of this historical relic, by building a new museum, which would provide all the historical data relating to the mosque. H.E Said “ HRH has done so much to stir the cultural scene in Bahrain, based on his vision to preserve the national heritage; HRH Prince Salman bin Hamad Al-Khalifa patronized the opening of the Pearl Trail Visitors’ Centre at Bu Maher Fort. Today, again HRH is supporting another cultural center to be added to the outstanding heritage of our Beloved Kingdom”.
The project aims also at developing the corridors and alleyways surrounding the site and adding beautiful décor to one of the most important Islamic period sites in Bahrain’s heritage. The Al-Khamis Mosque is a unique Islamic historical site, consisting of a mosque, school and a cemetery. The project includes the development of the site and a small visitor center, designed by the internationally renowned Danish museum designer and architect Claus Wohlert.
HRH Shaikh Salman bin Khalifa bin Salman bin Mohammed Al-Khalifa commended the efforts undertaken by the ministry to promote culture and tourism in Bahrain, preserve national heritage and project the Kingdom’s millennia-old civilisation.
