Any illegal tents that pop up in residential areas or commercial districts during the holy month of Ramadan will be immediately dismantled and removed, the authorities have stressed.
The warning comes as Civil Defence and municipal officials urged people to follow proper regulations and obtain the necessary licences.
Families and businesses often put up tents during the holy month to host gatherings for friends and customers but not all seek the required municipal approval.
The rules exist to ensure the facilities meet health and safety guidelines, particularly with temporary electricity connections and the smoking of sheesha posing a major fire risk.
“The municipality will remove all unauthorised tents at the expense of violators according to the law of public road works,” Capital Trustees Board chairman Saleh Tarradah reminded representatives of community societies present at a recent majlis.
“Municipalities will not be liable for any damage to the contents or the tent at the time of removal either.
“We wish to remind citizens and residents of the importance of complying with the conditions of the licence, in addition to maintaining general cleanliness of the area in co-operation with the municipalities during the holy month.”
The rules apply to tents in residential areas as well as those erected by hotels, restaurants and other businesses.
Those who wish to apply for a Ramadan tent licence must submit an application letter with a copy of the applicant’s ID card; they must also obtain the approval of the concerned municipality if the tents are in a residential area, and the approval of the Civil Defence.
The GDN reported last year that teams from the Civil Defence, in co-operation with other government bodies, inspected residential neighbourhoods, where people often put up tents for gatherings and Ramadan majlises.
According to the Civil Defence, several areas witness a cluster of tents including Manama, Muharraq, Riffa, Isa Town and Hamad Town.
Under Bahrain’s law, Ramadan tent owners face fines of BD50 if they fail to remove their tent after the stipulated period, with fines increasing for ignoring any notices.
“All safety and security awareness details are now available on the newly-launched National Civil Protection Platform,” added Civil Defence representative First Lieutenant Mohammed Al Houti during the majlis.
“We intend to reach our safety and security message to wider audiences and it comes through you, community representatives, especially as we approach Ramadan and we don’t mind entering WhatsApp groups or whatever platform that brings us closer to people and in multiple languages if needed,” he added.
“Ramadan is the most active month of the year and with it comes more community activities and social events.
“Whether it is proper electrical wirings or the safe use of gas cylinders, or even setting up a tent, people have to be cautious, knowing that their lives and others around them could be at stake from faulty connections or gas leakages.”
“At the moment, we have the first batch of general Civil Defence volunteers that will be ready to provide assistance to mosques, ma’tams, clubs, societies and even neighbourhoods and we are seeking to get more onboard,” he added.
Members of the public can be reassured that the volunteers can be easily identified by their badges and documentation, to prevent imposters cashing in on the service.
Fire extinguishers have been distributed and other ‘incentive gifts’ will be offered to those who maintain safety requirements.
Awareness posters and brochures are being distributed and fire experts from the Civil Defence will conduct awareness campaigns, including advice on what steps to take in the case of a tent fire.
l The platform https://www.ncpp.gov.bh/ also provides further details on inspection visits to educate Ramadan tent visitors.
mohammed@gdnmedia.bh
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