Eid open house to start today

Manama

Despite soaring temperatures, hundreds of visitors are expected to throng into the two-day Eid Open House at the Ahmed Al Fateh Islamic Centre (Grand Mosque) in Juffair, which starts today. 

The Eid Open House, which is being held since 1998, attracts people from all faiths every year and offers non-Muslims the opportunity to experience Arab culture and hospitality. Last year the Grand Mosque had received 1400 visitors on the first day itself.

Non-Muslims can visit the Grand Mosque today and tomorrow between  9am and 5pm. The guests will have the opportunity to wear traditional Arabic clothing and enjoy Bahraini sweets, cakes, pastries, dates and Arabic tea and coffee. The two-day Open House at the Grand Mosque offers guests a unique insight into Islam. Activities available include a Haj corner, henna painting, Arabic calligraphy, gifts corner and a children's corner. Entrance and all the attractions are absolutely free of charge.

Ahmed Al Fateh Mosque is part of an Islamic Centre. The Centre includes the mosque, a department for Qur'anic studies and an Islamic library. Construction work of Ahmed Al-Fateh Centre began in 1984. It was opened in 1988 by the late Amir of Bahrain, Shaikh Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa. The mosque occupies an area of 6,500 square meters and it can accommodate up to 7000 worshippers. Daily congregational prayers as well as Friday prayers are held at the mosque.

The Kingdom of Bahrain has adopted a policy of modernization while preserving the Islamic values and the Arab character of the country. Ahmed Al Fateh Islamic Centre was established with a mission that reflects and promotes this policy. The mission of Ahmed Al Fateh Islamic Centre is to facilitate and promote accurate knowledge of Islam while presenting Bahrain as a modernized tolerant Islamic country where a diverse and multicultural community enjoys living together in peace.