15 November 2021
Hailed Great and significant Presence of Bahrain at Dubai Expo 2020, Participation in a forum on the role played by Women in Islamic architecture forum
The Kingdom of Bahrain continues to maintain a strong and visible presence at Dubai Expo 2020, whose central theme is “Connecting Minds, Creating the Future, through Women Pavilion forum at Expo, shedding light on inspirational stories and accounts of the catalytic role played by women from the Arab and Islamic world in advancing Islamic architecture, urban and rural development. Dr. Ahlam Zainal, Head of the Development Department at GFH Real Estate (Bahrain), took part in this forum panel sessions.
This came during a discussion session organized by the Women's Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai, on the sidelines of the Urban and Rural Development Week, the third week of the 10 topic weeks that will be held throughout the duration of the international event. The lectures dealt with views on the most prominent women who played a vital role in Islamic history, with a special focus on the role they played in Islamic architecture. UAE’s Princess Dr. Reem Al-Hashimi urban planner, writer and researcher, as well as Olivia Duncan, assistant professor of anthropology studies at New York University Abu Dhabi, also participated in this forum.
Dr. Ahlam Zainal, indicated that she had read about women’s contributions to Islamic architecture, and many stories about Muslim women caught her eye, including what Nafisa Al-Bayda did, who developed through her wealth and contributions the “Sabil and Kuttab” building. Nafisa Al-Bayda” in Egypt. In addition to the achievements of Al-Fihri and Al-Bayda, the Firdaws School is the most important thing left by the Queen “Difat Khatun” in the city of Aleppo, and the Seljuk Queen “Safwat Al-Malik” ordered the construction of a magnificent funerary dome, along with several buildings that left their mark on Islamic architecture, and formed the identity of some Islamic cities. Dr. Zainal added saying that the remarkable contributions of women from the Arab and Islamic region, which led to the progress of Islamic architecture and urban development in history, inspired today’s women to participate in the creation of inclusive and sustainable cities.
Worth to mention that Bahrain Pavilion at Dubai Expo 2020, which carries the theme ‘Density Weaves Opportunities’, is led by H.E Shaikha Mai bint Mohammed Al Khalifa, President of BACA and the Commissioner General of the Bahrain Pavilion at the Expo. The National Pavilion of Bahrain at Expo 2020 Dubai reflects the concept of density through a unique architectural design and a diverse cultural program. Like walking through a dense forest, the 126 steel columns allow visitors to freely experience the exhibition and planned pavilion program, while the aluminum-made facade signifies one of the Kingdom’s main exports. The entire structure was designed to allow it to be completely dismantled and rebuilt at a permanent location in Bahrain following the end of the six months.
The pavilion is conceived as a physical and spatial experience of density and the future possibilities of building in an increasingly dense world. Designed by Christian Kerez Zürich AG, it is imagined as an open plan space, submerged in the site and accessed through a ramp that creates a transition between the outer and inner worlds of the pavilion. The structure of this central space is made of 126 columns of 11cm in diameter and 24m in height that join each other at several points throughout the height of the space. The columns support one another and support the roof, providing a poetic structure that demonstrates principles of connection and density in an exploration of the three-dimensional possibilities inspired by geometric gypsum ornaments of traditional Bahraini architecture. This central space houses the main exhibition space, the gift shop and the cafe that are loosely nestled between the columns of the building, shaping the physical experience of density in the pavilion.
Each of the installations was created through a collaborative process and crafted by hand in Bahrain using various traditional and modernized weaving techniques as a metaphor for density. Each scenography will have a general theme which is revealed in four different exhibitions – similar to theatrical work – to showcase an important element of Bahrain’s culture and its rich heritage.
The first theme to be shed light on will be an installation artwork, titled “What do you see” created by Bahrain-based textile designer Muhairi Boyle was the opening event of the pavilion. The exhibition focuses on the nobility of textile craft in Bahrain and the beauty of sails of the Banoosh ships used for pearling. Bahrain Culture Authority, in cooperation with “DANAT” institute is offering a unique opportunity for Dubai Expo 2020 visitors to delve into magic world of latest techniques of pearling testing, examination and natural gems valorization.
