02 July 2018
Discussing Preparations of Manama City’s File to World Heritage List Nomination, Meeting of H.E with Businessmen and residents from Manama
H.E Shaikha Mai bint Mohammed Al-Khalifa, President of Bahrain Authority for Culture & Antiquities (BACA) , welcomed, on 2 July 2018, a delegation of businessmen and residents of Manama city, in the presence of a team of experts and architects working at BACA and the Arab Regional Center for World Heritage at Dilmun Hall, UNESCO Village where the 42nd meeting of the World Heritage Committee is being held.
The meeting discussed ways and means of enhancing civil and private organizations’ participation in the cultural movement and contribution to cultural infrastructure projects, as well briefing the attendants about the latest developments with regard to the nomination of Manama Old City file to Preparatory UNESCO World Heritage List.
H.E Shaikha Mai bint Mohammed Al-Khalifa said “ Manama city should preserve its cultural identity and its special character as an economic, cultural, social and religious center for Bahrain and the whole region”. H.E argued that safeguarding these characteristics would not be fulfilled without the concerted efforts of all parties concerned, whether private institutions or civil society’s organizations and local community. H.E added “ The echoing splendid work we are doing in Bahrain to safeguard the universal heritage memory and urban architecture preservation, is heard throughout the whole world. Today, Bahrain is hosting 42nd meeting of the World Heritage Committee session whereby countries seek to register and nominate natural and cultural sites on the World Heritage List recognized by the whole universe”. H.E also pointed out that the City of Manama is a living example, a unique model for peace and co-existence, adding that nominating the historical city to the World heritage List comes as part of comprehensive vision masterminded by the Wise Leadership of His Majesty is Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa , May God Protect Him, to safeguard the local cultural identity and protect the universal Bahraini heritage.
The delegation of businessmen and residents of Manama city, for their part, expressed sincere appreciation to Bahrain Authority for Culture & Antiquities (BACA) for its efforts to enhance cultural scene movement and safeguard historical heritage, voicing their full support and readiness to contribute to the preservation of cultural, urban and religious heritage and to participate in the nomination file preparatory works.
Members of the team of experts and architects working at BACA and the Arab Regional Centre for World Heritage shed lights on major past, present and future urban and cultural projects being carried out in Manama city. Among the projects highlighted, Bab al Bahrain face-lift and restoration, Bab al Bahrain Information Centre, Little India project, Al-Murtahsha stereotype concretisation at the back of Bab al Bahrain and the Post Office Museum. In addition, Bahrain Authority for Culture & Antiquities has directed excavations to be carried out at Al-Mahzaa Mosque, located at Manama old souq, managing to reach its oldest foundations, restoring and reinforcing its bases in order to restore its design later on. BACA is also deploying strenuous efforts actually to implement infrastructure cultural projects, such as Manama Post Office ( previously Customs’ Building) whereby its original features will restored in coordination with the Ministry of Transportation. BACA’s planned future projects include Manama Lac aimed to regain the old picturesque view of the sea shore along Bab al-Bahrain, building a Child Museum, an Open-air Theatre, Bahrain Hotel and Al-Fadhel Mosque Lighthouse.
The meeting then discussed the preliminary study carried out by Bahrain Authority for Culture & Antiquities, in cooperation with and the Arab Regional Centre for World Heritage with regard to world standards to nominate Manama to UNESCO World Heritage List. The study’s main objectives is meet UNESCO’s criteria to be included on the World Heritage List, given that sites must be of outstanding universal value and meet at least one out of ten selection criteria. These criteria are explained in the Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention which, besides the text of the Convention, is the main working tool on World Heritage. The criteria are regularly revised by the Committee to reflect the evolution of the World Heritage concept itself. The study should document heritage components and an evaluation of Manama site safeguard, unique social and urban fabrics, old urban heritage, modern religious heritage, as well as exceptional social and cultural diversity.
After the meeting, the delegation visited the venue of the 42nd meeting of the World Heritage Committee accompanied by H.E Shaikha Mai bint Mohammed Al-Khalifa.
