Al-Amn Magazine

level of carbon dioxide produced by the decomposition of organic matter, causing the tree›s roots to lack the oxygen they need for respiration. Unlike other trees, the roots grow from the lower parts and move upward against gravity in search of an outlet for breathing, rather than downward. The leaves of mangrove trees contain salt glands, each consisting of more than one cell. These glands act as pumps that push excess salts out of the tree›s body and maintain salt balance within the tree. When we sit in an old Bahraini house, and contemplate the ceiling from which the dung beetle protrudes, we see many formations reflected in our eyes by the presence of the dung beetle. We might imagine them as ghostly faces, long hands or feet, or endless forests, especially when we associate them with the creature behind them. Sheikh Isa bin Ali House The house of Sheikh Isa bin Ali Al Khalifa is located in the heart of Muharraq, the old capital of Bahrain, next to the Grand Mosque, and is surrounded by neighborhoods, homes, and commercial markets. It was built by Sheikh Hassan bin Abdullah bin Ahmed Al-Fateh around 1800 AD, and subsequently inhabited by his sons and grandchildren. It is considered one of the oldest houses in Muharraq. Sheikh Isa bin Ali Ghabban used it as a residence and seat of government during his 61-year reign, from 1868 to 1932 AD. The house is divided into four main sections: the family wing, the sheikh›s wing, the servants› wing, and the guest wing. It has two main entrances: one on the north side, which is the main entrance, and the other for guests and access to the Grand Mosque. The house is distinguished by its simple layout and architectural design, as well as its plaster carvings with a local flair. Beit Al Jasra This house was built by Sheikh Hamad bin Abdullah Al Khalifa in 1907. In the 1930s, the late Sheikh Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Ruler of Bahrain (1942-1961), resided there. This house witnessed the birth of the late Sheikh Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa on July 3, 1933. It consists of four rooms on the ground floor and one room on the upper floor, in addition to other house facilities. The house is considered a classic example of ancient Bahraini architecture, distinguished by its simple construction. It was constructed from sea stones, clay, plaster, and palm trunks for the interior and exterior walls, as well as palm trunks, danjal, basjal, and manqour for the ceilings. The house was built using architectural styles that suit Bahrain›s hot climate. The walls are thick to insulate against external heat. The air intakes (badkir) surrounding the roof of the house bring air inside, while the ventilation holes in the room help refresh the interior air. Some necessary additions were made to the building, such as the Majlis, which was built opposite the house and was constructed in the same architectural style of that period. Facilities were also built to serve museum visitors on the other side of the building. The courtyards surrounding the house were planted with trees for which Bahrain was famous, such as palm trees, almonds, pomegranates, mulberries, bananas, and aloe vera. The borders were decorated with flowers, saffron, and basil. Bin Matar Building This building was constructed by the Bin Matar family in 1905 by the renowned builder of the time, Musa bin Hamad. Salman bin Hussein bin Matar used it as his permanent majlis. However, in the early 1940s, the building was converted into a clinic run by general practitioner Bandar Kar, who moved from it to another clinic in the 1950s. This distinctive building became the headquarters of the Al-Islah Club, which occupied the ground floor. The Bin Matar family resided on the upper floor until 2002. Al Amn Bureau Sheikh Isa bin Ali House Beit Al Jasra