AGP Executive Report

What’s On: Bahrain’s week ahead brings a Qawwali performance by Yousuf Khan Nizami at Cultural Hall on 25 October, alongside an AI and digital-economy exhibition and a regional mixed-media art show. Arts & Heritage: A gallery in Riffa, built in a Bahraini artist’s childhood home, is drawing visitors with contemporary art and a distinctive setting. Community: Zain Bahrain has set up a toy donation box at Zain Tower, collecting used toys for families in need and encouraging reuse. Bahraini Talent: Two education leaders were recognised by the US Embassy in Manama after completing an exchange programme focused on educational technology and English-language teaching. Regional Reading: The Arab Reading Challenge will name its winners on 29 October; this year’s record participation topped 40 million students across 60 countries. Style & Lifestyle: Bahraini label Touchless showcased its 3D-printed handbags at Dubai Fashion Week, while a new 10-year U by Emaar and Visa partnership promises lifestyle rewards across Bahrain and the wider Gulf.

Education: The US Embassy in Manama honoured two Bahraini education leaders for completing an exchange programme on technology in English-language teaching. Community: Zain Bahrain is collecting second-hand toys at Zain Tower to support families in need and reduce waste. Fashion: Bahraini label Touchless showcased its 3D-printed handbags at Dubai Fashion Week, drawing attention from international fashion names. Women’s Finance: A new investment-literacy competition for women in Pakistan was launched with AAOIFI chairman Sheikh Ebrahim bin Khalifa Al Khalifa of Bahrain as chief guest. Culture: Bahraini tea master Budoor Steele is taking her “A Bowl of Peace” Japanese tea ceremony to Paris, featuring local pottery and Bahraini embroidery. What’s On: Bahrain International Garden Show returns to Exhibition World Bahrain from March 24 to 28, 2027, with ideas and products for gardeners, farmers and landscape designers. Music & Memorabilia: Bahraini producer DUST has released a 16-track album exploring time, while Michael Jackson memorabilia due to feature in a major exhibition in Bahrain includes his iconic rhinestone glove.

Bahraini Fashion: Manama-based label Touchless brought its 3D-printed handbags to Dubai Fashion Week, showcasing designs that have attracted international fashion attention. Community: Zain Bahrain has set up a public toy-donation box at Zain Tower with the Rashid Alzayani Foundation, supporting families in need and reuse. Shopping: Max Fashion’s White Wednesday sale offers 25–60% off in Bahrain through October 31. Culture Abroad: Bahraini tea master Budoor Steele is presenting a Japanese tea ceremony in Paris, with locally made pottery and Al Naqda embroidery highlighting Bahrain’s heritage. Music: Bahraini producer DUST has released a 16-track album exploring time, memory and the contrasts of everyday life. Coming to Bahrain: Michael Jackson’s stage-worn costumes and memorabilia are on display in Ireland from October 30, ahead of a major international exhibition in Bahrain.

Shopping: Max Fashion’s White Wednesday sale is live in Bahrain through October 31, with discounts of up to 60% on clothing, footwear and accessories. Higher Education: Bahrain’s Higher Education Council held a workshop with QS and Ahlia University to help local institutions prepare for the 2028 rankings. Heritage: A Bahrain National Museum exhibition honouring Isa Al Kabeer has opened, organised by the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities. Culture Abroad: Bahraini tea master Budoor Steele is taking her “A Bowl of Peace” Japanese tea ceremony to Paris, featuring local pottery and Al Naqda embroidery. On the Arts: Bahraini producer DUST’s new 16-track album explores time and human experience across a mix of musical styles. Weekend Plans: Live music, workshops and long Friday brunches feature in this week’s Bahrain guide, while a November lineup of craft workshops offers a chance to learn traditional skills.

Bahrain Abroad: Entrepreneur Budoor Steele is taking her “A Bowl of Peace” Japanese tea ceremony to Paris, with locally made pottery and Al Naqda embroidery bringing Bahraini heritage to the showcase. New Music: Bahraini producer DUST has released a 16-track album exploring time, memory and life’s contrasts. Heritage: A new Bahrain National Museum exhibition honours Isa Al Kabeer, inaugurated by Deputy Prime Minister Shaikh Khalid bin Abdulla. Weekend Plans: Friday’s island lineup includes TUL8TE live, a Diwali market, craft workshops and traditional Bahraini music. Local Crafts: November offers a chance to learn 10 Bahraini crafts.

Bahraini Culture Abroad: Tea master Budoor Steele is taking her “A Bowl of Peace” project to Paris, where she’ll demonstrate the Japanese tea ceremony using locally made pottery and a kimono featuring Bahrain’s Al Naqda embroidery. New Music: Bahraini producer DUST’s 16-track album explores time, memory and the contrasts between wealth and poverty, light and darkness. Heritage: A new Bahrain National Museum exhibition dedicated to Isa Al Kabeer has been inaugurated by Deputy Prime Minister Shaikh Khalid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa. Weekend Plans: Island events include TUL8TE live at Beyon Al Dana Amphitheatre, a Diwali market, craft workshops, an art exhibition and traditional Bahraini music.

Bahrain Heritage: A new exhibition dedicated to Isa Al Kabeer, ruler of Bahrain and its dependencies, has opened at the Bahrain National Museum. Deputy Prime Minister Shaikh Khalid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa inaugurated it on behalf of King Hamad. Weekend Plans: Friday’s calendar features Egyptian singer TUL8TE at Beyon Al Dana Amphitheatre and a Diwali market at Galleria Mall, alongside workshops, traditional music and brunches. Traditional Crafts: BACA’s November workshops offer hands-on introductions to Bahraini crafts, including woodcarving, embroidery, pottery, weaving and making prayer beads. Coming Up: The Royal Bahrain Concours returns to the Royal Golf Club in Riffa on November 6–7, showcasing collector cars and luxury hospitality.

Weekend Picks: Bahrain’s calendar features Egyptian singer TUL8TE at Beyon Al Dana Amphitheatre on Friday, a Diwali market in Zinj, craft sessions, traditional music and long brunches. Bahraini Crafts: BACA’s November workshops offer hands-on introductions to woodcarving, embroidery, jewellery design, pottery, weaving and boatmaking. Living Heritage: University students are documenting Fan Al Sawt, Bahrain’s traditional musical art, to support a national UNESCO nomination. Culture & Community: A redevelopment of the American Mission Hospital in Manama will turn its historic Women’s and Children’s building into a healthcare museum, celebrating Bahrain’s history of faith, education and care. Local Leisure: A Rafa Nadal Tennis Center is set to open at Amwaj Islands. Rights: During French President Emmanuel Macron’s Bahrain visit, 32 rights groups urged him to raise concerns over alleged arrests, torture and citizenship revocations.

Luxury & Events: Bapco Energies has joined the Royal Bahrain Concours as official energy partner. The collector-car showcase returns to Riffa on November 6–7. Bahrain in the Spotlight: French President Emmanuel Macron arrived in Bahrain on his Gulf tour, securing a commitment for 100,000 tonnes of diesel monthly to help ease fuel pressure in France. Living Heritage: A youth forum at the Bahrain National Museum is documenting Fan Al Sawt, a traditional musical art, for a planned UNESCO nomination. Culture & History: Plans to redevelop the American Mission Hospital include turning its historic Women’s and Children’s building into a healthcare museum, honouring Bahrain’s legacy of faith, education and care. Lifestyle: U by Emaar and Visa are preparing a 10-year rewards partnership spanning Bahrain, with benefits across dining, travel, wellness and entertainment.

Lifestyle Rewards: U by Emaar and Visa have signed a 10-year deal bringing premium rewards across dining, travel, wellness and retail to customers in Bahrain and the wider Gulf. Living Heritage: A youth forum at Bahrain National Museum is training 28 University of Bahrain students to document Fan Al Sawt, a traditional musical art being prepared for a UNESCO heritage nomination. Education: Applied Science University ranked first in Bahrain and 37th in the Arab region in the 2027 QS rankings, and earned a QS Five Stars Plus rating. Community & History: A ceremony celebrated Bahrain’s “Faith Triangle” — American Mission Hospital, Al Raja School and the National Evangelical Church — as the hospital’s historic women’s and children’s building is set to become a healthcare museum. Workers’ Rights: Unpaid wages made up 80% of cases handled by the Migrant Workers Protection Society in the second quarter, as the group helped expatriates with financial, legal and repatriation needs. What’s On: Trevor Noah is set to perform at Terminal 4 by Beyon on December 5.

Live Entertainment: Trevor Noah is set to bring his 2026 stand-up tour to Terminal 4 by Beyon on December 5. Women’s Health: An October campaign by NEZO Salt and Aster Clinics offers free breast examinations at participating clinics in Bahrain and across the region. Women in Leadership: Al Salam Bank has launched the second edition of Qaedat, a programme focused on developing women’s leadership and professional skills. Young Designers: Infracorp’s new Architecture Challenge invites Bahrain students and recent graduates to propose ideas for a landmark project, with entries open until November 18. Sport: The Rafa Nadal Tennis Center is set to open at Amwaj Islands in partnership with HARVE.

Health & Wellbeing: NEZO Salt and Aster Clinics are offering free breast examinations in Bahrain and three other Gulf countries throughout October, with further screening recommended by doctors when appropriate. Women’s Leadership: Al Salam Bank has launched Qaedat 2.0, a programme to build women’s leadership skills and support their professional development. Healthcare: Bahraini endocrinologist Professor Dalal Alromaihi received a regional award for her work in diabetes care and medical education, while Salmaniya Medical Complex is preparing a phased four-year overhaul, including 48 additional critical-care beds. On Stage: Trevor Noah is set to bring his stand-up tour to Bahrain on December 5 at Terminal 4 by Beyon. Heritage: Around 30 volunteers joined archaeologists near Bahrain Fort to uncover pottery, glass and other finds at the annual Ancient Pottery Quest. Active Living: A Rafa Nadal Tennis Center, with tennis and padel courts, fitness facilities and coaching, is planned for Amwaj Islands in late 2027.

Heritage: Around 30 residents joined archaeologists at Hilla, near Bahrain Fort, uncovering pottery, porcelain, a coin and glass-bangle fragments during BACA’s annual community dig. Sport & Wellness: A Rafa Nadal Tennis Center is planned for Amwaj Islands, with tennis, padel and fitness facilities expected to open in late 2027. Music & Arts: Bahrain’s International Music Festival continues through November; an oud concert featuring Bahraini and Chinese musicians celebrated cultural ties, and an art exhibition is open through November 23. Creative Bahrain: A proposal to host an Arabian edition of Gordon Ramsay’s Hell’s Kitchen aims to showcase local food and talent. Women in Sport: Three Bahraini sailors are competing in Oman’s Arab Women’s Sailing Championship, part of a regional event with more than 100 participants.

Heritage: Around 30 volunteers joined archaeologists at Bahrain’s Hilla site near Bahrain Fort, uncovering pottery, Chinese porcelain, a coin and glass-bangle fragments from the Islamic period. Food & Entertainment: A proposal would bring an Arabian edition of Gordon Ramsay’s Hell’s Kitchen to Bahrain, with supporters pitching it as a showcase for local talent and hospitality; the show is not confirmed. Music: The Bahrain International Music Festival continues through October and November. A recent oud concert paired Bahraini musician Mohammed Al Bakri with Chinese performer Joo Zhao in a celebration of musical exchange. Youth & Education: Three Al Taawon Secondary students developed a multiplayer game through the Education Ministry’s Gaming 100 elective, blending combat challenges with physics questions. Health: Arabian Gulf University Hospital has received Platinum Accreditation from the National Health Regulatory Authority, while two Bahrain-based healthcare leaders were named among the Arab world’s 2026 healthcare leaders. Active Living: A Rafa Nadal Tennis Center is planned for Amwaj Islands, with six tennis courts, three padel courts and training for all ages; it is expected to open in late 2027.

Property & Leisure: Cityscape Bahrain returns to Exhibition World Bahrain on November 24–28, bringing developers and buyers together to explore local projects and investment opportunities. Sport & Wellness: A Rafa Nadal Tennis Center is planned for Amwaj Islands, with six tennis courts, padel, fitness and recovery facilities; it is expected to open in late 2027. Arts & Culture: Bahrain’s Oud Night paired local musician Mohammed Al Bakri with Chinese oud player Dr Joo Zhao, celebrating cultural ties as the International Music Festival continues through October and November. BACA’s annual fine arts exhibition is also open until November 23. Young Creators: Three students at Al Taawon Secondary School have built a multiplayer game inspired by the Education Ministry’s new Gaming 100 course, blending combat challenges with physics questions. Work & Opportunity: Bahrain’s new temporary-work rules let foreign workers take jobs with another employer for up to 90 days, while MPs are set to debate steps to improve job security for Bahrainis on temporary government contracts. Healthcare: Two Bahrain-based leaders, Dr Mariam Al Jalahma and Dr Sheriff M. Sahadulla, were named among the Arab world’s healthcare leaders for 2026.

Bahrain-China Culture: An oud night at the Cultural Hall paired Bahraini musician Mohammed Al Bakri with Chinese oud player Dr Joo Zhao, celebrating musical traditions and growing cultural ties. The Bahrain International Music Festival continues through October and November, with more than 20 performances. Jobs and Security: MPs are set to debate a bill requiring authorities to review the status of Bahrainis on temporary or part-time government contracts after one year; it would not guarantee automatic permanent employment. Healthcare: Two Bahraini leaders, Dr Mariam Athbi Al Jalahma and Dr Sheriff M. Sahadulla, have been named among the Arab world’s 35 leading healthcare figures for 2026. Youth and Arts: Students at Al Taawon Secondary School built a video game through the Education Ministry’s Gaming 100 course, while Al Riwaq Art Space is showing Dr Mayasa Al Sowaidi’s exhibition on identity and memory until November 23.