11 January 2016
“Buri Mosque: Before and After”: An illustrated book By Abdullah al-Khan
As a gesture of appreciation and gratitude, Shaikha Mai bint Mohammed Al-Khalifa, Bahrain Authority for Culture & Antiquities (BACA) president, received a book documenting the renovation of one of Bahrain's oldest mosques. Titled Renovated Buri Mosque, the illustrated book was compiled by artist Abdulla Al-Khan, who took the photos of the iconic mosque in the period from 2014 to 2016.
H.E Shaikha Mai commended the artist for the outstanding book while stressing the importance of documenting Bahrain's long-standing urban heritage and preserving national identity. H.E added saying, “Every day Bahraini artists, creative minds and innovators prove their loyalty to their country and how much love and sense of giving they have. Abdullah Al-Khan is an example of the committed artist who strives to reach new cultural heights every time he seizes an opportunity.” The book illustrates photos and pictures of Buri mosque and the renovation process undertaken by Bahrain Authority for Culture & Antiquities.
H.E Shaikha Mai stressed the importance of such historical urban heritage which reflects the collective memory of the village inhabitants. Buri mosque was constructed in the traditional way, using palm-tree trunks; in the 19th-century and it is a fine artistic expression in its own right. The iconic mosque, which covers 500 square meters, was first constructed in 1880s before it was revamped in 1998. The mosque hosts around 1000 worshipers daily.
Born in 1937, Al-Khan first stepped into the world of photography in 1950 before travelling to the UK where he graduated as a professional photographer in 1962.
He boasts more than one million photos taken in Bahrain and the other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states. In 2011, His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa bestowed the Medal of Proficiency on Al-Khan, who is currently the director of Bahrain House of Photography.
