A PROPOSAL has been put forward to showcase traditional antiques dating back 200 years collected by Bahrainis as part of a tourism initiative.
The Southern Municipal Council wants to turn the homes of traditional antique collectors into tourist destinations.
Under the proposal, council’s chairman Bader Al Tamimi has called for a government assessment committee to be formed to survey the homes and the collections.
He said only a select group would be chosen for the project, which would in return make them eligible to receive financial support.
This follows calls put forward by Muharraq Governor Salman Bin Hindi who suggested in July that homes and antique collections be added to a series of tourist attractions in the governorate to showcase the country’s heritage.
“There are around 2,000 homes across Bahrain that have rich antique collections dating back to 200 years, but not all could be listed as tourist destinations,” said Mr Al Tamimi.
“Mr Bin Hindi’s suggestion created the platform for my proposal, which would now see concerned ministries and government authorities surveying the homes of those who would apply to be placed on the tourist map.
“Eventually, the list will shrink to 100 homes, depending on assessment, considering that we don’t want the selections to be repetitive.
“Those selected will be also eligible to receive financial allowances as support to maintain their museums and belongings.”
Mr Al Tamimi said some of the collections include rare coins, textiles, cooking materials and documents that do not exist anywhere else in the Gulf – adding that they were in possession of private collectors.
“People are not only interested in visiting historic sites, seeing ancient artefacts or handicrafts, or going shopping at suqs or malls, they love to know more about the lifestyle that was in Bahrain,” he explained.
“Some homes in Muharraq, Riffa or Budaiya are even better than the privately-owned Bait Al Othman Museum in Kuwait, which is frequently visited by tourists for its rare collections in multiple departments.”
However, Northern Municipal Council vice-chairman Yaseen Zainal said the move needed proper mechanism for selection and financial support.
“This proposal will see the involvement of the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities (Baca) and Tamkeen amongst others, who will be contributing in the technical and financial aspects, and for that there has to be a proper mechanism and thorough assessment of those chosen,” he said.
“This move is long overdue, but should it start it will see more tourist interest and for that we want the best of homes and collections showcased.”
The proposal has been referred to the Cabinet for review.
Parliament last month approved a proposal to preserve a home from the first batch of social houses distributed to families in 1968 in Isa Town.
MPs want it turned into a national monument and tourist attraction, by furnishing it to reflect the bygone era, and showcasing items, currencies and equipment from that period.
The project has been supported by the Housing Ministry and Baca.
mohammed@gdn.com.bh
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