HRH Crown Prince opens Al Khamis Mosque visitor centre
His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister, today visited the historic Al Khamis Mosque, where he inaugurated a new visitor centre.
During the visit, His Royal Highness praised Bahrain’s rich national identity, which, he said, informs every aspect of the nation’s cultural development. The Crown Prince also noted the Kingdom’s vibrant Islamic architecture is demonstrated by the country’s mosques and historic buildings, and offers tourists a unique proposition that showcases Bahrain’s location as a meeting point between the world’s civilizations.
The Crown Prince went on to note that Bahrain’s traditions represent an important component of the country’s culture, and that they receive continued support from His Majesty the King.
His Royal Highness praised the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiques’ (BACA) efforts to preserve the Kingdom’s historical landmarks, and its role in the construction of the new visitor centre at Al Khamis Mosque.
The Crown Prince noted the importance of preserving the mosque, which was built in an important Islamic era, and represents the role of mosques in spreading the values of tolerance and acceptance within Bahraini society. His Royal Highness also welcomed the vital educational and scientific role mosques have played throughout history.
His Royal Highness toured Al Khamis Mosque’s new visitor centre and listened to a presentation given by BACA President, Shaikha Mai bint Mohammed Al Khalifa, and the researcher of Al Khamis area, Archeology Professor Dr. Timothy Insoll. The presentations highlighted archeological information about various Islamic monuments and artifacts in the area, particularly those excavated from Bilad Al Qadeem since 2001.
Shaikha Mai expressed gratitude and appreciation for His Royal Highness’ continued support to Bahrain’s culture and antiquities, and highlighted that the inauguration of the visitor centre, which holds the slogan, “If monuments could speak”, has embodied the country’s historical importance and cultural heritage.
She went on to explain BACA’s vision of establishing a number of museums linked to archeological and heritage sites within the Kingdom, with the aim of broadening knowledge of Bahrain’s history.
