MOSQUES on the verge of collapse have been given a new lease of life, thanks to an initiative launched by a passionate Bahraini.
The project is the brainchild of Jassim Al Abbas who has helped restore seven places of worship believed to have been built between 400 to 800 years ago.
The 45-year-old researcher at the Jaffari Waqf Directorate in the Justice, Islamic Affairs and Endowments Ministry said he was keen on preserving the nation’s heritage.
“I started this out of love, as I like old things that remind me of my father and grandfather,” he told the GDN.
As a test, the project started off with Al Lajma mosque in Nabih Saleh.
“In 2017, I got in touch with contractors to hire workers to restore the mosque which was old and small,” said Mr Al Abbas.
Care was taken to ensure that the edifice was restored to its original glory without losing the traditional touch.
The process involved using materials such as sandalwood, bamboo and teak wood.
“Many old mosques in Bahrain have been inspired by Turkish, Egyptian and Persian architecture,” said Mr Al Abbas.
“Our focus was on restoring not just the mosque but also retaining its traditional Bahraini look.
“Our aim was for our children to see perhaps a modern rendition of Bahraini heritage and ancestry, local culture and identity.
Successful
“Following the successful restoration of Al Lajma mosque, we went on to restore more mosques in Murqoban, Mahazza and Al Kharijiya villages in Sitra and Ma’ameer village.”
Despite being the main visionary, project planner and designer, Mr Al Abbas gave credit to the community.
“The biggest hurdle in this project was the lack of budget,” he said.
“We wanted to complete this process legally, and would not accept any monetary donations,” he added, saying each restoration project cost around BD1,000 to BD4,000.
“We have members of the community donating traditional materials that they have salvaged from the wreckage of their old demolished homes; this reduced the budget tremendously.”
He said the contributions from the community and online support follows a resurgence of interest in Bahrain’s history.
“It’s important to take a break and look at our past, to find something that make us unique in the eyes of the world.”
He said he was waiting for an approval from the authorities to restore any mosque in the country, and even find potential sponsors to fund the project.
“With a proper budget 12 mosques can be restored every year across Bahrain, and these could become tourist attractions.”
Meanwhile, worshippers had mixed feelings about the initiative.
“The intention to restore the mosque was noble indeed,” a 65-year-old resident of Nabih Saleh told the GDN as he prepared to pray in Al Lajma mosque.
“But, perhaps due to the lack of budget, or due to inexperienced workers, the quality of the restoration is fading quickly as the donated materials were not of the highest quality.”
On another visit to a restored mosque near Al Kharijiya graveyard, a worshipper said: “We appreciate what he did to this place.
“He really took the mosque back in time to 100 years ago.
“But the wall has started to crack and the paint has begun to peel off.
“However, we respect Jassim’s dedication and the passion he invests in his restoration projects and wish him the best of luck in what he does.”
&uuid=(email))