Homage to late author Khalid Al-Bassem paid

Manama, Dec. 20 (BNA): Isa Cultural Centre hosted today a ceremony in homage of author and journalist Khalid Al-Bassem. It was attended by Bahrain Journalists Association (BJA), the authors community, the Bahrain History and Archaeology Society, the Culture Association in Khobar, poet Ali Sharqawi, intellectuals, politicians and media persons including mainly Advisor to His Majesty the King for Media Affairs Nabil bin Yaqoob Al Hamer and Information and Parliament Affairs Minister Isa bin Abdulrahman Al-Hammadi. The ceremony, which is supported by the Information Ministry and sponsored by Al-Ayyam Publishing institution, kicked off with a minute of silence on the soul of late Khalid Al-Bassem. Then, after a recitation of some verses from the Holy Quran, a short documentary was shown on the life of Al-Bassem as well as his literary and journalistic contributions. Marking the occasion, the Information and Parliament Affairs Minister stressed that the death of Khalid Al-Bassem was a loss to the authors and press community in Bahrain as well as the GCC and Arab cultural and media movement. He described Khalid Al-Bassem as a pioneer in literature who dedicated his life to promoting noble national and humanitarian values. He said Al-Bassem's writings will stand witness to the richness of his literary work and paramount contribution to defending the nation and its hard-won gains. Al-Hammadi pointed out that Al-Bassem's writings have enormously contributed to developing Bahrain and GCC press since 1981 and enriched the Arab library in the cultural, literary and historical fields. He affirmed that Khalid Al-Bassem deserved the respect of the Intelligentsia and media figures which earned him the first place in a referendum on the best columnists in local press in 1999 and the GCC Creativity Award in October 2015. He also pointed out the popularity of some of his books in Britain, noting that Khalid Al-Bassem has left a bright record laden with achievements and creativity.