Intra-Islamic Dialogue Conference High Committee Discusses Organisational Plans.


Manama: Bahraini daily newspapers today focused on local events that happened over the past 24 hours, highlighting significant developments and engagements across various sectors in the Kingdom. Among the key events was the discussion by the Intra-Islamic Dialogue Conference High Committee on organisational plans, shedding light on Bahrain’s active role in facilitating dialogue among Islamic nations.

According to Bahrain News Agency, the Executive and Legislative Authorities in Bahrain have been engaged in discussions on budget options for the fiscal years 2025-2026. This crucial dialogue aims to address economic strategies and fiscal policies that will guide the country’s financial planning and development in the coming years.

In other significant engagements, HH Shaikh Mohammed bin Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa visited several families to mark the Diwali celebrations, reflecting Bahrain’s commitment to cultural inclusivity and community engagement. The SCIA President also received Egypt’s Grand Mufti, highl
ighting the strong diplomatic and religious ties between Bahrain and Egypt.

On the international front, the President of Guyana received the credentials of the Bahraini Ambassador, marking a step forward in strengthening diplomatic relations between the two countries. Additionally, the Industry Minister led Bahrain’s delegation in several important meetings, including the 76th Trade Cooperation Committee in Doha, the GCC Ministerial Committee for Standardisation Affairs, and the 53rd meeting of the GCC Industrial Cooperation Committee.

Highlighting the importance of family and social development, the Social Development Ministry Undersecretary participated in the 30th Anniversary of the International Year of Family Conference, reinforcing Bahrain’s commitment to social welfare and family development.

The sports sector also saw significant activity with a press conference held for the 3X3 Basketball World Tour and the attendance of HH Shaikh Khalifa bin Ali and the Secretary-General of the BFA at the AFC Ann
ual Awards Ceremony. Meanwhile, the AFC President inaugurated the AFC conference, signaling Bahrain’s active involvement in regional sports affairs.

Furthermore, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Undersecretary emphasized Bahrain’s support for global peace and justice, while the AGU and SFD strengthened their cooperation to complete the King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Medical City project. The UN-Habitat celebrated United Nations Day with the Buthoor Al Bahrain campaign, and Bahrain Polytechnic unveiled its new brand identity, showcasing the Kingdom’s dedication to education and innovation.

Peugeot TotalEnergies Dominates Final WEC Practice Session in Bahrain.


Bahrain: Peugeot TotalEnergies surged ahead in the third and final World Endurance Championship (WEC) Free Practice session at the 2024 WEC 8 Hours of Bahrain, powered by Bapco Energies. The Bahrain International Circuit (BIC), known as ‘The Home of Motorsport in the Middle East’, welcomed fans this morning for an exciting day of world-class racing and family entertainment.

According to Bahrain News Agency, the WEC Qualifying is scheduled to commence at 4pm this afternoon, divided into separate sessions for the Hypercar and LMGT3 classes. This will pave the way for the much-anticipated main event on Saturday. Fans can still purchase grandstand tickets, priced at BD5.5 for adults and BD2.75 for children, available at the gate, online at bahraingp.com, or via the BIC Hotline.

In a bid to support environmental sustainability, all ticket sales will contribute to the Green Ticket Initiative, a collaborative effort between BIC and Bapco Energies aimed at significantly increasing mangrove coverage in the Kingdom b
y 2035. Additionally, race-goers can enjoy an exclusive Open Paddock experience, offering access to the paddock area and a chance to meet the WEC’s top drivers.

Off the track, visitors can indulge in various entertainment options, including the ‘Space Jam: A New Legacy’ Experience, celebrating the popular Warner Bros Pictures film. On the racing front, the top performers in the Hypercar category were the overall fastest in the session.

Meanwhile, at the BIC, Janne Stiak and Colin Boenighausen secured pole positions for the first two races of the 2024/2025 Porsche Carrera Cup Middle East (PCCME) season, held in conjunction with the WEC 8 Hours of Bahrain. Stiak claimed the top grid spot for today’s race at 5.45pm, while Boenighausen will lead the second race on Saturday at 11am.

Stiak’s best lap time of two minutes and 03.556 seconds narrowly edged out Boenighausen by 0.047 seconds, with James Wallis placing third. Saud Al Saud will start as the leading ProAm driver, and Petr Brecka leads in the Masters cat
egory for the first race. For race two, Thomas Kiefer is the top ProAm driver, and Brecka maintains his lead among the Masters competitors.

Strong Winds and Rising Sand Forecasted in Bahrain.


Manama: The weather forecast for Bahrain indicates partly cloudy conditions with rising sand in specific areas during the day. The Meteorological Directorate has issued a warning for strong winds, which are expected to be mainly northerly at speeds of 12 to 17 knots, potentially reaching 20 to 25 knots at times.

According to Bahrain News Agency, the sea state is predicted to vary between 1 to 3 feet inshore and 3 to 6 feet offshore. The temperature is expected to reach a maximum of 31ºC and a minimum of 22ºC. Humidity levels are forecasted to range from a maximum of 80% to a minimum of 25%. Further information and updates are available for those needing more detailed weather insights.

Shura Chairman Congratulates Newly Elected Iraqi Speaker.


MANAMA: Ali bin Saleh Al Saleh, Chairman of the Shura Council, congratulated Mahmoud Dawud al Mashhadani on his election as Speaker of the Iraqi Council of Representatives. The Speaker wished Speaker Al Mashhadani success, emphasising the interest in strengthening cooperation with the Iraqi parliament.

According to Bahrain News Agency, the congratulatory message was sent as a gesture of goodwill and to express the desire for enhanced collaboration between the legislative bodies of the two nations. The message highlighted the importance of fostering strong ties and mutual understanding in parliamentary affairs.

Housing Ministry Engages in National Tree Week with Planting Initiative.


Manama: In support of the national action plan for achieving carbon neutrality announced by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, and under the initiative of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, the National Tree Week has been established for the third week of October each year. Amna bint Ahmed Al Rumaihi, the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, participated in planting 100 trees in four housing cities: Salman Housing City, Khalifa Housing City, Al-Hidd Housing City, and Sitra Housing City.

According to Bahrain News Agency, the minister highlighted that the National Tree Week initiative supports Bahrain’s afforestation goals, which aim to plant 3.6 million trees by 2035 and increase green spaces across the Kingdom to meet environmental objectives. She affirmed the ministry’s commitment to enhancing green areas in its housing projects.

Minister Al Rumaihi also said that the ministry’s efforts to green its housing initiatives began with a proj
ect in Al-Hidd Housing City and extended to Sitra Housing City, where residents were provided with plantlets to encourage gardening within their homes. She commended the partnership with the private sector and community initiatives, underscoring their support for afforestation projects throughout the Kingdom, including in Bahrain’s housing cities.

Muharraq Municipality Participates in National Tree Week.


Muharraq: In line with Bahrain’s national efforts toward carbon neutrality, announced by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, and in observance of the National Tree Week, launched by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, Shaikh Mohammed bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, the Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture Ministry Undersecretary, participated in the National Tree Week activities hosted by Muharraq Municipality at Arad Fort Walkway.

According to Bahrain News Agency, the National Tree Week aims to raise awareness about the importance of trees in combating climate change and promoting sustainability. The initiative is part of Bahrain’s broader strategy to achieve carbon neutrality and enhance green spaces across the nation. The event at Arad Fort Walkway included various activities designed to engage the community and encourage participation in environmental conservation efforts.

Shaikh Mohammed emphasized the critical role of trees in achieving environmental
goals and highlighted the government’s commitment to expanding green spaces. The National Tree Week serves as an opportunity for public and private entities to collaborate on initiatives that support Bahrain’s environmental objectives.

The involvement of Muharraq Municipality underscores the importance of local participation in national environmental initiatives. The event also featured educational workshops and tree-planting activities, aiming to instill a sense of responsibility toward the environment among participants.

Tourism and Exhibitions Authority Announces Exceptional ‘Celebrate Bahrain’ 2024 Season.


Manama: Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority (BTEA) has announced the launch of its promotional campaign for the Celebrate Bahrain 2024 season, which will be enriched with a variety of events and entertainment activities throughout December. The Heritage Village Festival, Muharraq Nights Festival, and Manama Nights will each showcase the distinctive aspects of Bahraini identity. These festivals will culminate in a spectacular fireworks display across eight locations in the Kingdom of Bahrain.

According to Bahrain News Agency, Fatima bint Jaffar Al Sairafi, Minister of Tourism and Chairperson of BTEA, confirmed the authority’s commitment to delivering an exceptional season this year that highlights Bahrain’s unique identity. She stated: “We aim to present innovative and diverse events that cater to all age groups, fulfilling the aspirations of citizens, residents and visitors to the Kingdom of Bahrain. We are also keen to spotlight Bahrain’s rich historical heritage and offer a comprehensive tourism expe
rience through Celebrate Bahrain, with the objective of enhancing Bahrain’s position as a leading tourism destination in the region. We hope that this exceptional season will positively impact the attraction of more tourists to the Kingdom, in a way that contributes to economic development and achieving the goals of the Tourism Strategy 2022-2026.”

Sara Ahmed Buhiji, CEO of BTEA, expressed pride in launching the Celebrate Bahrain 2024 season in collaboration with partners from both the public and private sectors. This initiative reflects the spirit of teamwork and underscores the commitment of all to social responsibility and national pride by highlighting Bahrain’s status as a premier tourism destination. She added that the season will include a variety of activities aimed at reviving authentic Bahraini culture and providing an exceptional experience. The celebrations will feature fireworks illuminating the skies of the Kingdom in eight different locations, offering citizens, residents, and visitors an exce
ptional experience to view the shows from multiple angles.

This year’s promotional campaign will kick off with comprehensive tourism packages and initiatives in key target markets, along with collaborations with a select group of Bahraini social media influencers. Special offers and promotional packages will be presented in coordination with a number of hotels, airlines, and businesses, as well as destination management companies and travel agents, aimed at providing a comprehensive and integrated tourism experience for visitors.

Furthermore, the events accompanying the Celebrate Bahrain season will highlight the genuine Bahraini identity. This includes the third edition of the Muharraq Nights Festival, organized by the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities (BACA), which will take place along the Pearling Path from the Bu Maher Coast to the Pearling Museum – Siyadi Majlis. For the first time, all houses along the path will open their doors to festival attendees, showcasing exhibitions and collection
s that narrate the stories of the flourishing pearl economy era in Bahrain. The Muharraq Nights will offer a unique experience at the “Pearling, Testimony of an Island Economy,” included on UNESCO’s World Heritage List.

BTEA will also revive the spirit of the past in the Old Manama Souq through the Manama Nights events. The activities will also feature the Heritage Village Festival, along with several unique musical performances and theatrical shows being presented for the first time. For more information on current promotional campaigns and activities accompanying the Celebrate Bahrain season, please visit the following website: