His Excellency Dr Saad bin Saud Al Fuhaid, President of Arabian Gulf University (AGU), stated that the Royal Decree issued by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa designating 2026 as the “Year of Isa Al Kabeer” reflects a profound national vision to honour Bahrain’s illustrious history, bolster its renaissance, and commemorate the historical figures who contributed to building the nation and establishing its foundational pillars.

Celebrating His Highness Isa Al Kabeer highlights his pivotal role as the architect of the modern Bahraini state and the leader of its institutional renaissance. His Highness’ legacy is rich with achievements that have strengthened Bahrain’s political, economic, and cultural stature across different eras.

Dr Al Fuhaid noted that this noble royal initiative underscores His Majesty the King’s dedication to preserving the nation’s historical and cultural identity and spotlighting key moments in its journey. In the same vein, he commended the ongoing projects in the historic city of Muharraq, which served as a centre of wise governance during Isa Al Kabeer’s reign. These initiatives aim to deepen awareness of Bahrain’s history and figures, including the restoration of the Isa Al Kabeer Palace and the development of Muharraq while maintaining its authentic character.

His Excellency also commended the attention given to this initiative by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister. Such support strengthens efforts to preserve national identity and sustain Bahrain’s cultural and civilisational heritage. He also affirmed the role of academic institutions, especially AGU, in documenting and embedding this heritage within societal and academic consciousness.

Dr Al Fuhaid added, "Since its establishment in 1980, AGU has benefited from Bahrain’s unwavering support, which has provided a nurturing environment that has helped position it as a leading educational institution at regional and international levels. Bahrain’s pioneering role in supporting higher education and scientific research has been instrumental in enabling the university to fulfil its academic and research missions, contributing to regional development and human capacity building."