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As part of its preparations to host and launch events celebrating “ Muharraq Capital of Islamic Culture 2018”, H.E Shaikha Mai bint Mohammad Al-Khalifa, president of Bahrain’s Authority for Culture and Antiquities (BACA), received on 25 September 2017, the chairman of the Muharraq Municipal Council Mohammed Al Snan and representatives of the municipal council representatives and Muharraq local community, in the presence of BACA’s working team. The meeting discussed BACA’s projects, such as Pearling Path in old city and the artworks planned to be showcased during the celebration of Muharraq as the capital of Islamic culture next year.

Muharraq Municipal Council visited the Pearling Path exhibition first where they got acquainted with the details and components of this UNESCO World Heritage List site project. They also lauded the efforts of Bahrain Authority for Culture & Antiquities, which is working on the implementation of a pioneer project to develop the urban and economic structures of the city of Muharraq. Indeed, BACA’s plan is be carried out through the investing in Pearl Trail project along which many UNESCO historic buildings are located. These historical buildings will be restored, renovated and re-habilitated, creating new public places, parking lots and many other development projects aimed to enhance the historical role of Muharraq. During the meeting, H.E Shaikha Mai welcomed her guests and highlighted the universal cultural importance of the City of Muharraq, stressing the need to coordinate efforts to preserve the city’s heritage features during the implementation of urban projects. H.E said “ Nominating Muharraq as Capital of Islamic Culture is an exceptional event which will highlight BACA’s planned projects for the city. There is no doubt Muharraq was chosen because it has all the elements of a city success story; we would love to use all our urban tools in order develop and prosper the city we love.” H.E added saying “ we would like to have an impetus to preserve identity and specificity of very city and village because we feel a sense of pride and belong to our country, history and culture”. H.E also said “ it’s no secret that we love this historical city, our City of Dreams, providing a sense of community grounded in our love of beauty and mixed with historical continuity and culture. We have to invest in this glorious past and develop this convivial special features of Muharraq as a whole”.

H.E Shaikha Hala Bint Mohammad Al-Khalifa, Director of Culture & Arts Directorate, and Exhibitions Curator, Shooq Al-Alawi presented a series of art work collection proposed to be showcased during the festivities celebrating” Muharraq as the Capital of Islamic Culture 2018”. They pointed out that the three artworks are intended to provide a visual beautification elements and cultural icons with real identities to be placed in different locations in the old city of Muharraq. Artist Ali Al Mahmeed painting titled “ Al-loha” will be placed in Shaikha Khalifa part, while Khalil Al-Hashemi painting titled “ a Squadron of Birds” will picture the flock of birds travel passage from Airport road intersection to Al-Ghoos road. As to artist Ibrahim Bu Saad it is beautiful Holy Quran verse art composition that reflects the Beauty of Living Creatures: God also refers to the beauty in the creation of other living beings: و لكم فيها جمال حين تريحون و حين تسرحون

“And there is beauty in them for you, when you bring them home to rest [in the evening] and when you drive them forth abroad to pasture [in the morning].” (16:6) . H.E Shaikha Hala Bint Mohammad Al-Khalifa, commented saying “ Our special focus on these three artworks can be explained by two factors; first the identity of the artist should be kept in mind when his artworks are showcased in public places and secondly, the focus of the strategy is on developing a gallery that feels open to all and inspires everyone who visits, where culture and innovation can flourish, and that reaches the widest possible audience”.

The choice of these location is based on changes that have occurred in the area guiding directions and lanes and after filed surveys conducted by a group of specialists who know best how to relate arts with public spaces.

The meeting also discussed the importance of arts and culture strategies to reveal and enhance the underlying identity, the unique meaning, value, and character of the physical and social form of a community. This identity is reflected through the community's character or sense of place, which is not a static concept; rather, it evolves and develops over time, reflecting the spectrum of social values within and around the community.