A historic neighbourhood in Muharraq is set to regain its original name and identity after the Muharraq Municipal Council unanimously approved a proposal to officially restore the title of ‘Government District’ (Fareej Al Hukooma in Arabic) to the area east of the old Muharraq Casino, currently known as Fareej Al Oummal (workers’ houses).
The initiative, spearheaded by council’s services and public utilities committee chairman and area councillor Abdulqader Al Sayed, aims to reinstate the name on maps, signages and official documents, recognising the neighbourhood’s rich historical legacy.
The Government District traces its origins back to the late 1950s after a series of devastating fires struck several areas of Bahrain in the mid-20th century.
Among the worst was the 1951 blaze in Al Dhawawdeh, the 1952 fire in Mustafa’s Land (Al Adama), and the massive Muharraq fire in May 1954. These incidents left many families homeless, especially those living in traditional houses built from palm fronds (barasti), prompting a nationwide push to construct fire-resistant housing.
In response, the Bahraini government launched its first wave of low-cost stone and cement housing projects to support low-income workers and artisans.
In 1962, ownership documents were handed over for 285 such houses across Bahrain – 41 of which were built in Muharraq, forming what became known locally as the ‘Government District’.
However, as decades passed by, with more Bahraini workers staying in these houses, the area came to be more commonly referred to as Fareej Al Oummal (workers’ houses).
Mr Al Sayed said that councillors were now seeking to restore its original name as the area ‘was the seed of modern housing policy in Bahrain’.
“Changing the name to Government District isn’t just urban planning; it’s memory-keeping,” he said.
“It’s about preserving the history and identity of a place that represents an important chapter in Bahrain’s post-fire recovery and housing development journey.
“The people of Muharraq called it ‘Government District’ out of pride because the homes were built by the government and they symbolised stability, dignity, and hope.
“It was the forerunner to Isa Town and all the other model housing initiatives that followed. We want people, especially the younger generation, to walk through this area and know its story.”
Council chairman Abdulaziz Al Naar praised the initiative as an act of cultural preservation and recognition of the contributions made by working-class Bahrainis during a transformative era.
“Restoring the name ‘Government District’ is a tribute to the generations who helped build modern Bahrain from the ashes – quite literally,” said Mr Al Naar.
“These neighbourhoods were more than housing projects; they were communities born out of resilience, sacrifice, and national solidarity.”
Today, most of the original homes in Muharraq’s Government District have been converted into commercial spaces – shops, cafes, and restaurants – but many of their architectural features remain intact, a quiet testimony to the neighbourhood’s humble and historic beginnings.
These early government homes were built in neat rows with narrow alleys between them, and in Manama, they were popularly dubbed Fareej Al Linat, derived from the English word ‘lines’ due to their uniform layout.
Similar housing clusters appeared in areas like Sitra, Zallaq, East Riffa, Jasra and Budaiya. In Hoora and Manama, they were also known as ‘workers’ houses’, situated near landmarks such as the Jewish cemetery, Al Ahli Club and the Bahrain Girls’ Renaissance headquarters.
The council has forwarded the proposal to the Cabinet for approval.
If given a go-ahead, the Cabinet will work to introduce signages besides working with national mapping agencies to reintroduce the name formally.
Educational plaques or heritage markers may also be installed to inform visitors and residents of the area’s unique background.
“The move to restore Fareej Al Hukooma fits into broader efforts across the kingdom to celebrate and protect Bahrain’s urban and cultural heritage, particularly in older districts of Manama and Muharraq that played a vital role in the country’s mid-century transformation,” said Mr Al Naar.
mohammed@gdnmedia.bh
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