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In continuation of its efforts to support historical cultural achievements in Bahrain, H.E Shaikha Mai Bit Mohammad Al Khalifa, Bahrain’s Authority for Culture & Antiquities president, received MP Roua Al Hayki on 8 February 2016 at her office. The meeting discussed the follow-up measures undertaken to promote A’ali area; a place in Bahrain that has always held a rich tradition of arts and crafts going back many thousands of years to the Dilmun era.

H.E expressed her thanks and appreciation to MP Roua Al-Hayki for her constant interest in the cultural movements in Bahrain, especially in the area of A’ali that is a principal cultural tourist destination in the Kingdom of Bahrain. H.E stressed the importance of A’ali pottery industry as part of the national identity and shared history. Bahrain’s position at the crossroads of an important trade route in the Gulf linking Arabia with Asia and beyond made it a meeting place throughout history for many different cultural influences. H.E added that BACA has provided the necessary tools to promote pottery in the area through a training program for craftsmen and proper supervision of A'ali’s pottery workshops where traditional methods using ancient kilns in a tradition that has been handed down generation after generation, providing the required clay. Bahrain’s Authority for Culture & Antiquities president added that A’ali’s pottery industry is at the top of priorities of BACA because it represents a strategic heritage for Bahrain; locally, regionally and internationally.

H.E Shaikha Mai also said that A’ali’s development plans, with regard to pottery and burial mounds, has been prepared by the Authority to attract cultural tourism lovers, adding that the project will be implemented as part of the ‘Invest in Culture’ strategy based on a public-private partnership.

MP Roua Al Hayki, for her part, praised the strenuous efforts deployed by Bahrain’s Authority for Culture & Antiquities in order to preserve, protect and promote Bahrain’s historical heritage, given its importance and role in the region and the world as a whole. Ms. Al-Hayki highlighted the importance of the A’ali area and its contribution to the enhancement of the cultural scene and that the pottery in A'ali is always a favorite destination for visitors, locals and school children who love to see the making of pots on foot operated wheels, to browse around the pottery shops and to buy the colorful well-crafted items. A’ali residents have always shown their pride and their commitment towards preserving Bahrain’s historical and urban assets, Al-Hayki added.

H.E Shaikha Mai bint Mohammad Al Khalifa had made a field visit to A’ali Village last November, a visit coordinated by MP Roua Al-Hayki, and met with a delegation from A’ali village made up of craftsmen, pottery factory’ owners and officials. A special committee was formed to come up with strategies to revive Bahrain’s traditional pottery industry. The project included training programs and think-tank initiatives to promote cultural tourism strategies. The visit was followed by a comprehensive study on the sector in hopes of eliminating challenges faced by Bahraini potters operating in A'ali, known as the pottery capital of Bahrain. BACA will continue to support the pottery industry by helping craftsmen, providing enough clay quantities and extending their contracts.