Bahrain to spread word of harmony
By SOMAN BABY
Monday July 21 2003

BAHRAIN has become the first Arab country to back the Friendship Caravan, a high-profile event aimed at building bridges of communication between Arab and Americans.

About 70 Bahrainis, including musicians, dancers, businessmen and scholars, are expected to take part in the Pilot Caravan, scheduled to be held in the US cities of Frederick and Gaithersburg in October.

Bahrain will also play a key role in the promotion of the Arab world in the US through its support of the Friendship Caravan, said president Michael Kirtley.

The Friendship Caravan is a year-long cultural event which will see a caravan of people, animals, and high-tech interactive exhibits travel across the US with the aim of promoting cross-cultural communication between Americans and Arabs.

The Caravan will provide an opportunity to showcase Arab culture and modern development to Americans, at a time when misconceptions are blurring understanding on both sides, Mr Kirtley told a Press conference at the Sheraton Hotel last night.

"The Information Ministry's Foreign Media Directorate is giving its full backing to the event, with Bahrainis playing a central part in the Pilot Caravan, which is to visit Gaithersburg in Maryland, US, from October 4 to 12," said Information Ministry foreign media affairs acting director Shaikh Mohammed bin Isa Al Khalifa.

"Bahraini artists, intellectuals, business leaders, and women leaders are expected to be among the participants in the Maryland event, which will also feature satellite teleconferences between schools in Maryland and those in selected Arab nations, notably in Bahrain."

The pilot caravan will also try to promote events such as the Formula One motor racing, due to start in Bahrain next year, said Shaikh Mohammed.

Bahrain is the first Arab country to back the Friendship Caravan and recognise its importance, said Mr Kirtley.

"It is backing the project because its good relations with the US mean that it is in an ideal position to further understanding of the Arab world among Americans," he noted.

"By showcasing Bahrain, the event also offers the opportunity to promote investment in the country from the US.

"The Pilot Caravan also aims to promote bilateral understanding through dialogue and education with a series of forums planned in Gaithersburg, Maryland, between American and Bahraini students, business leaders, and intellectuals."

The Pilot Caravan will see a group of Bahraini artists showcase Arab traditional culture.

Traditional Bahraini music groups will take part in the Gaithersburg event, giving performances of folk music and dance.

A fashion show by Bahraini designers will give the people of Gaithersburg a chance to see some of the glamour of the Arab world, said Mr Kirtley.

The Friendship Caravan will also feature traditional and contemporary Arab art with an exhibition of the work of Bahraini artists in Gaithersburg.

The exhibition will highlight both paintings and sculpture by Bahraini artists, as well as traditional Arab handicrafts.

A number of films on Bahrain, looking at its culture and heritage as an example of the development of the Arab world, will be shown in as part of the Pilot Caravan.

Bahraini women have long been at the forefront of women in the region (and the Friendship Caravan will provide an opportunity for Americans to learn more about their achievements, said Mr Kirtley.

"They will discuss issues that affect Bahraini women and their role within society, a touchstone issue for many Americans," he added.

Mr Kirtley and board member Linda Smythe were on a weeklong visit to Bahrain at the invitation of Crown Prince and BDF Commander-in-Chief Shaikh Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa.

They addressed various civic societies and the three Rotary Clubs in Bahrain. "We are grateful to the Crown Prince, whose patronage enabled Bahrain to become the first official sponsor of the Friendship Caravan in the Arab world," said Mr Kirtley.

"It shows Bahrain's vision to understand how important it is to build bridges with the American people.

"I invite all Arab countries to join Bahrain in promoting this high-profile people-to-people event across the US."

Mr Kirtley also thanked the Foreign Ministry and the Information Ministry, which have put together an entire programme for the Pilot Caravan.

"We are also grateful to the Rotary Clubs of Manama, Salmaniya and Adliya and business leaders in Bahrain who have pledged their support to the event," he said.

People who require more details of the event should visit the Friendship Caravan's website: www.friendshipcaravan.org

Updated: September 7, 2003