‘Bahrain Through Stamps’ book wins international award

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Writer Younis Hashim Al Kooheji’s “Bahrain Through Stamps” book has won the silver medal at the London International Stamp Exhibition, which is one of the most prestigious international book exhibitions. 

In a statement to the Bahrain News Agency (BNA), Younis Al-Kooheji, member of Bahrain History and Archaeology Society, as well as member and former president of the Bahrain Philatelic Society, said that the award is third to be granted to this book thanks to the uniqueness of its content, noting that it contains stamps that stand witness to Bahrain’s progress throughout eras and ages.  

He indicated that the medal reflects Bahrain’s distinction at the international levels, given the fierce competition during the exhibition in which 338 books from 62 countries competed. 

Author Al-Kooheji valued highly the support of the Information Affairs Minister, Ali bin Mohammed Al-Romaihi, who inaugurated the book in 2016 while opening the Media Centre of the Summit of the Supreme Council of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). 

He added that the “Bahrain Through Stamps” book is among the distinguished publications of the Bahrain News Agency, expressing his appreciation for the Ministry of Information Affairs for its encouragement of such quality publications, and for publishing the book. 

He pointed out that the book contains more than 400 cards, which is the first of its kind in Bahrain and the second in the GCC, after the similar book published by Ali Raees from Kuwait. 

He noted that the idea of the book emerged during the meetings of the Bahrain Philatelic Society, noting that it is the outcome of his efforts to collect stamps, and the support of the Bahrain Philatelic Society’s members, particularly Saleh Al-Hassan.

Regarding the book, Al-Kooheji said it includes stamps issued in Bahrain, consists of 400 pages in Arabic and English, and contains 20 chapters focusing on various topics and fields, noting that the stamps document prominent Bahraini palaces, houses of worship, monuments, natural landmarks, marine activities, heritage professions, cities, oil industry, ports, hotels and horse races, among others. 

The “Bahrain Through Stamps” book documents the Kingdom’s political, cultural and social history as well as its human and urban development over the years. It won the bronze medal in Bangkok and the silver medal in Sharjah.

It is the fruitful outcome of BNA’s efforts to enhance the national march through publications that highlight the important phases in the kingdom’s history and document its civilisational and developmental achievements across various fields.