19 May 2022
Bahrain Culture Authority Al-Fadhel Minaret Illumination Ceremony Restoring its Identity after restoration works, H.E Shaikha Mai: Manarat Al-Fadhel is one of the most important edifices that shaped the identity of Manama, and it is the first of our projects along Al-Khalifa Road
The Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities celebrated the restoration of Al-Fadhel Mosque’s original Minaret, on 19 May 2022, in the presence of H.E Shaikha Hala Bint Mohammed Al Khalifa, Director General of Culture and Arts at the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities, along with diplomatic personalities, culture lovers in the kingdom of Bahrain, and media.
Speaking on this occasion, H.E Shaikha Mai Bint Mohammed Al Khalifa, President of the Culture Authority, said : “We have worked non-stop for four years to achieve an architectural cultural project, which was aimed to restore and revive one iconic most prominent landmark that has had shaped the city of Manama. Indeed, Al-Fadhel Mosque Minaret, as we see it illuminated today, sends rays of light and hope to the whole world, heralding the birth of new citadel, namely Manama, a hub once again of cross-routes, a symbol of civilizational co-existence and human intercourse convergence, and as a beacon for cultural production”.
In addition, H.E expressed her thanks and gratitude to Her Highness Shaikha Mariam bint Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa for her strong belief in the project and her relentless support for its implementation, which reflects a unique vision and keenness to enhance the status of our historical cities. H.E also extend her thanks to Bahrain and Kuwait Bank, headed by PhD. Abdularahman Ali Saif, the bank’s CEO, for the generous support, turning the dream to restore Al-Fadhel’s minaret into reality, appreciating the group’s permanent support for the cultural movement in the Kingdom of Bahrain.
H.E rejoined: “Al-Fadhel minaret will certainly contribute to enhance the visual identity of the city of Manama, thanks to with its ancient history and beauty of its design, once welcoming the visitors arriving the Manama port (fardha). H.E also pointed out that this project is the first of many projects that the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities is working on along Al Khalifa Road, the most important of which is the Bahrain Hotel in order to enhance the historical status position of Manama city.
Moreover, H.E Shaikha Hala Bint Mohammed Al Khalifa, spoke on behalf of the President of the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities, welcoming the attendees and thanking all the supporters and shareholders, the architects and engineers who supervised the project, led by the world-renowned Italian architect, Mr. Roberto Nardi, founder of the Centro di Conservazione Archeologica (CCA) and architect Mario Afaki from Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities. H.E also thanked all the parties that contributed to the success of the project: the Ministry of Works, Municipalities, Planning and Urbanism, the Sunni Endowments Department and Batelco.
For his part, Dr. Abdurrahman Saif, Group CEO of BBK, expressed the bank’s pride in contributing to this wonderful heritage project embodied in restoring the historical identity of Manarat Al-Fadhel, and said: “By committing ourselves to support and contribute to the success of this project, we confirm once again our strong commitment to advancing our social responsibility towards the Kingdom of Bahrain, and diversifying our support for development and Bahraini society through various aspect, such as education and health, as well as culture and heritage”.
Dr. Saif said in a statement on this occasion: "Today, we are anchoring the name of BBK to a prominent historical landmark in Bahrain, and we are strengthening our position in front of its visitors, citizens and residents, adding one more landmark to the list of social projects implemented by the bank in many parts of Bahrain, supported by our management and our shareholders.
The CEO of the group commended the efforts of the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities, headed by Her Excellency Shaikha Mai Bint Mohammed Al Khalifa, to implement this qualitative project with local and international expertise and to carry out the difficult and complex restoration process of the Al-Fadhel Lighthouse, restoring its original and aesthetic identity and brilliance in this wonderful form, very close to the headquarters of the Bahrain and Kuwait bank in the heart of the capital, Manama. Dr. Saif also said, "It gives us great pleasure that the completion of the Manarat Al-Fadil project, which began four years ago, coincides with our celebrations of the 50th Anniversary of the launch of BBK this year, making these celebrations a national character that reflects our close association with the economic, social and cultural progress of the Kingdom."
Mr. Roberto Nardi, founder of the Centro di Conservazione Archeologica (CCA), for his part, thanked the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities, led by H.E Shaikha Mai Bint Mohammed Al Khalifa, and all the supporters of the project. Addressing the audience, Mr. Nardi highlighted the details of the project’s work, as he indicated that the team worked on restoring the original identity of the minaret based on many archival photos, while applying a detailed and accurate analysis of the arrangement of the mosaics that were historically installed on the minaret, which contributed to the final restoration work.
Indeed, the meticulous architectural intervention process of recovering the minaret's original identity required a team of 35 people from the Centro di Conservazione Archeologica (CCA). This huge team worked continuously for 2,200 day in order to restore its original visual identity, needed more than two million pieces of mosaic, stained glass and Buccino marble used, an 18-storey scaffolding was installed, and special installations were outsourced in a project that lasted nearly 4 years. The project to restore the identity of Al-Fadhel Minaret also included the installation of a new internal and external lighting system to give the lighthouse a new and special luster at various times of the day, as well as installing a protection system from birds and modern loudspeakers for the call to prayer. Extreme care was taken during the restoration project to use flexible materials that are resistant to climatic changes during the year and are suitable for the climate of the Kingdom of Bahrain., he added.
Worth to mention that Al-Fadhel Minaret, which is 39 meters long, was built in 1938, as it was attached to the Al-Fadhel Mosque, which was built by members of the Al-Fadhel family, led by Shaikh Ali bin Khalifa Al-Fadhel and his brother Shaikh Mubarak bin Khalifa Al-Fadhel in 1768. Ever since, the minaret has undergone a number of urban changes since its establishment, until the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities launched a project to restore its original identity in 2018. The project was implemented by a specialized team from the Centro di Conservazione Archeologica (CCA). Rome, which was tasked with carrying out restoration work to restore the architectural identity of the minaret, in cooperation with the architect and engineering team of the Culture Authority.
