15 November 2020
H.E Shaikha Mai Participates in the Virtual 24th Meeting of GCC Ministers of Culture
H.E Shaikha Mai Bint Mohammed Al Khalifa, President of Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities (BACA) participated, on 15 November 2020, in the online 24th of the GCC Ministers of Culture, which was held via video-conferencing and chaired by the UAE Minister of Culture and Knowledge Development, Mrs. H.E Noura bint Mohammed Al Kaabi, with the participation of GCC Secretary General Dr. Nayef Falah Mubarak Al Hajraf.
During the meeting, Al Kaabi welcomed the participating ministers and wished Sayyid Dhi Yazan bin Haitham bin Tariq Al Saeed, Minister of Culture, Sports and Youth of Oman, luck and success in creating a prosperous cultural future for the Omani community. A Representative of the Saudi Minister of Culture Hamid Fayez, the Representative of Kuwait’s National Council also attended it for Culture, Arts, Literature, and the Representative of Qatar’s Ministry of Culture.
In her opening speech, the UAE Minister of Culture and Knowledge Development expressed her sincere sympathy and condolences to H.E Shaikha Mai bint Mohammed Al Khalifa on the passing on the death of the late HRH Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, praising his efforts in the renaissance and development of the Kingdom and in strengthening its external relationship, praying Allah the Almighty to rest his soul in eternal peace. The GCC Secretary General also extended deepest condolences to the Kingdom of Bahrain and of HRH Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa and to the Kuwaiti people on the demise of late Kuwaiti Amir HH Shaikh Sabah Al Ahmed Al Jaber Al Sabah and HRH Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, May Allah Bless his soul.
H.E Shaikha Mai bint Mohammed Al Khalifa pointed out in her speech that November 18th coincides with the International Day of Islamic Art, which was endorsed by UNESCO after a proposal presented by the Kingdom of Bahrain. H.E noted that a more beautiful image of Islamic art could be promoted through synergized efforts of all relevant parties in the GCC member states in order the preserve the glorious heritage of the Islamic civilization. H.E stressed the need to promote Islamic arts worldwide; hailing the Kingdom of Bahrain’s hosting the 25th meeting of the GCC Ministers of Culture under its presidency.
During the meeting, the GCC Culture Ministers approved recommendations submitted by their respective culture under-secretaries in their meeting, held earlier on 11 November, including ways to forge a GCC Strategic Cultural Plan of Action, drafting policies to regulate these activities and devising a common cultural plan action that achieves the member state’s vision on consolidating the GCC Cultural Identity and promoting it beyond the region’s boundaries through strong presence at the global arena. In addition ways and means to enhance cooperation, the efforts made to combat the challenges facing the cultural sector caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the "Cultural Strategy for GCC States 2020-2030," coordination with regard to a proposal to establish a GCC Centre for Translation, Arabization and Arabic language, to be hosted by the Sultanate as a unit of the GCC Secretariat-General in 2021. The GCC Ministers of Culture also agreed on many cultural annual events, such as book fairs in the Gulf countries, the Kingdom of Bahrain’s proposal to celebrate Islamic Art Day, encouraging GCC countries to observe and honor this day and shed lights on historical creative Islamic arts.
