A groundbreaking proposal to introduce water-saving sensor taps in mosques, ma’atams (community halls) and Quran centres across Bahrain has been submitted by two top municipal leaders.
The initiative, jointly presented by Southern Municipal Council chairman Abdulla Abdullatif and Muharraq Municipal Council chairman Abdulaziz Al Naar, comes amid growing concerns over water conservation and sustainability.
The proposal, now set to be forwarded to Justice, Islamic Affairs and Endowments Minister Nawaf Al Maawda for review and possible implementation, is part of a wider push by municipal councils to promote eco-friendly infrastructure in public and religious facilities.
“We have noticed the enormous volume of water used daily in mosques and other religious venues, especially during ablution (wudu),” said Mr Abdullatif.
“Many times, water is left running unnecessarily, and this amounts to wastage of a precious national resource. We believe installing automatic sensor taps will offer a practical and cost-effective solution.”
He explained that the idea builds upon successful examples already implemented in certain commercial venues.
“Some shopping malls and complexes have already installed sensor taps in ablution areas within their prayer rooms,” added Mr Abdullatif.
“These systems have proven to be efficient, hygienic and sustainable.”
“This is an investment in the future. We must lead by example in our places of worship. Islam encourages cleanliness and conservation – and our facilities should reflect these values in action.”
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Mr Al Naar
Mr Al Naar noted that the move is also aligned with the kingdom’s long-term environmental and resource conservation goals.
“This is not just about saving money, although that is certainly a positive outcome,” he said.
“It’s about building a responsible culture, where every drop of water is valued, especially in religious settings that encourage stewardship and moderation.”
According to Mr Al Naar, many of the mosques and community halls still rely on manual taps that may be left running due to oversight, particularly during busy prayer times or large gatherings.
“With sensor taps, water will only flow when needed, cutting down waste dramatically.”
The proposal calls on the Justice, Islamic Affairs and Endowments Ministry to implement a phased plan, starting with newly-built religious facilities and gradually retrofitting older buildings with sensor-based plumbing systems. Councillors have also called for collaboration with the Electricity and Water Authority (EWA) to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of mass installations and to explore possible subsidies for upgrading existing facilities.
The councillors stressed that the move will also enhance hygiene – a particularly relevant benefit in the post-pandemic context.
“Avoiding contact with shared surfaces, such as faucet handles, is another benefit of this proposal,” noted Mr Al Naar.
“It supports public health, while also supporting our sustainability agenda.
“If approved, Bahrain would become one of the first countries in the region to roll out such a nationwide initiative focused specifically on worship spaces, reinforcing its role as a regional pioneer in sustainability reforms.”
Both council chairmen hope the ministry will respond swiftly to their proposal and consider forming a technical committee to study implementation mechanisms. They also suggested awareness campaigns in mosques, ma’atams and Quran centres to highlight the importance of water conservation.
The initiative is expected to be discussed further during upcoming council meetings starting next month, with potential input from the Supreme Council for Environment and the Electricity and Water Affairs Ministry, as well as from architects and contractors involved in public infrastructure development.
mohammed@gdnmedia.bh
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