15 March 2022
Important Authentic Architectural Discoveries Unveiling Major Features of the Historical Shaikh Jassim Al-Mehzaa’s Mosque, Bahrain Culture stresses the importance of preserving the historical and urban privacy of the mosque
The Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities, with the help of the excavation team experts, has succeeded to make a major architectural breakthrough with regard to the original features of the historic Shaikh Jassim Al Mehzaa Mosque in the old city of Manama. Indeed, the team while working at the site managed to unveil the historical urban remains and the characteristics of the archaeological architecture of the old mosque, which would re-imagine the architectural and historical identity of the mosque, built in the historic Manama in 1860.
With regard to the historical importance and identity of the Shaikh Jassim Al-Mehzaa’s Mosque in the old Manama Souq, the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities is about to complete the excavation works, which have been carried out onsite since mid-January 2022. Indeed, BACA’s objective behind these major archaeological and architectural works is to restore, reshape and re-imagine the architectural structure of this religious and cultural symbol, in collaboration with the Ministry of Justice, the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, the Islamic Endowments Department, the Sunni Endowments and the competent authorities. In addition, BACA has pointed out that that these major architectural endeavors were preceded by a preliminary study of the block and the perimeter of the mosque prepared by the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities, which in 2014 won the Prince Sultan bin Salman Al Saud Award for Urban Heritage in the research category.
In addition, the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities has stressed out that it aims through this project, to conduct the proper architectural design, and to restore and revive this historic mosque, enhancing its uniqueness in harmony with the old souq and the urban fabric of the historic Manama. It is part the mosque’s architectural heritage identity and constitutes an essential component the area’s urban fabric. BACA said: “Indeed, the architectural engineering project of the historical Shaikh Jassim Al Mehzaa’s mosque goes beyond the simple re-habilitation of the place. We are confronted today with a major endeavor; how to revamp and revisit an exceptional project with such huge heritage and archaeological dimensions, and how a careful formulation method must be made to invite the originality that characterized this religious symbol”. BACA added: “We are not just looking for a simple recall of the past architectural basic elements of the edifice, but rather a real endeavor to assimilate the all aspects of its originality, in order to re-engineer and reconfigure it in a manner consistent with the urban structure of the old market. Therefore, we are ready to dedicate all cultural, scientific, artistic and technical tools for that end”.
Regarding the nature of the project’s stages, the culture explained that the engineering and technical team removed all dilapidated construction structural elements, while all the old historical shops, considered a Waqf for the mosque, were boosted and strengthened. This has helped support the team’s efforts to continue the excavation works and continue to unearth the building ‘original foundations. The excavation and engineering team leader has confirmed this by saying “We are now at a critical stage with regard to the rehabilitation and reviving of Al-Mehzaa Mosque project, as its architectural structure is based on archaeological and historical foundations, and the removal of invaluable elements has contributed to revealing in principle the features of originality, which confirms the long history depth of the mosque and the city in general. There is no doubt that excavation works carried out by experts and specialists will move the project to a defined precise critical stage for those foundations, which in turn will be reflected on the mosque’s design and identity, which will take on the features of the original shape and functional distribution closest to what the mosque was like when it was built in the late nineteenth century”.
Worth to mention that Shaikh Jassim Al Mehzaa Mosque was built by the Late Ruler Shaikh Ali bin Khalifa Al-Khalifa, Father of the Late Shaikh Isa Bin Ali Al-Khalifa, the Ruler of the Kingdom of Bahrain then. The iconic mosque it constitutes an architectural value and memory for the history of Bahrain. The district is in addition to its religious symbolism, and its connection to an ancient fabric in the old Manama. The exceptional historical architectural value of the mosque, in addition to its judicial and religious roles, its relation with authentic socio-economic fabric of Manama Old Suq was registered on National Heritage List.
