Virtual look at Bahrain history

August 14, 2009

Stunning new images of one of the country's most historic sites has been created by Bahraini artist and computer graphics pioneer Khalid Al Muharraqi.

The digital images of Al Khamis Mosque, which is now a ruin, have been painstakingly drawn up for Ramadan.

They feature in a series of videos that will take viewers of Bahrain Television on a virtual tour of the ancient structure, depicting how the mosque might have looked when it was built at least 1,000 years ago.

Mr Al Muharraqi, who is most commonly known for his futuristic images of Bahrain, told the GDN that before he could start he had to delve into history books to find out more about architecture of the past.

"I sat with historians to discuss how these sorts of buildings were built at the time". "I went to the museum and studied books and just tried to make them as accurate as possible," he said.

He has created five four-minute videos depicting the mosque at different times of the day, which will be aired at prayer times.

"There is one for the morning, one for noon, one for the afternoon, one for sundown and one for night time - and the lighting and sound effects on the videos reflect the different times of the day".

"It shows a camera moving through the mosque, re-created from the ruins that are there now, with a voiceover to accompany it".

"It is basically like a four-minute journey through the mosque."

The mosque is believed to be the first in Bahrain, built during the era of Umayyad Caliph Umar II.

Considered to be one of the oldest relics of Islam in the region, its foundations are thought to have been laid as early as 692AD. However, conflicting reports suggest it was built in the 11th century. Rebuilding of the mosque took place in the 14th and 15th centuries.

"The cool thing about it is that whether you are Muslim or not, for anyone with any kind of interest in history, the videos will be appreciated," said Mr Al Muharraqi. than@gdn.com.bh

Source:  Gulf Daily News

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