A long-standing obstacle facing the renovation and reconstruction of historic mosques and ma’atams has moved closer to resolution after the Northern Municipal Council unanimously approved a proposal allowing construction permits to be issued even when official property documents are unavailable.
The proposal submitted by council vice-chairwoman Zaina Jassim aims to support religious buildings that were constructed decades ago without formal documentation and are now in urgent need of repair.
Ms Jassim said many mosques and ma’atams across the Northern Governorate face serious structural challenges, but remain unable to undergo development due to missing or incomplete ownership records.
“These mosques and ma’atams are not just places of worship – they are fundamental social and community centres,” she said. “Their continued presence is essential to community life, and neglecting them because of documentation issues is simply not acceptable.”
According to the proposal’s justification, a significant number of religious buildings lack old construction permits or ownership deeds, making it legally difficult to renovate, rebuild or expand them despite their deteriorating condition. In many cases, this has hindered the provision of services to surrounding communities and disrupted religious activities.
“The absence of documents has become a major barrier to development,” Ms Jassim added. “Some buildings are no longer safe or fit for use, yet renewal efforts are frozen because of paperwork dating back decades.”
The technical committee reviewed the proposal and agreed that an exception mechanism was both necessary and legally feasible. It recommended approving construction permits on the condition that a certified land survey or official confirmation from the Survey and Land Registration Bureau is provided, clearly identifying the property’s boundaries, plot number, or confirming its reallocation as a mosque or ma’atam.
Ms Jassim welcomed the council’s unanimous support, describing it as a victory for communities across the governorate.
“This decision reflects an understanding of social realities,” she said. “It respects the historical role of these buildings while ensuring that safety, legality and proper planning are maintained.”
If endorsed at ministerial level, the measure is expected to accelerate the rehabilitation of ageing mosques and ma’atams, allowing them to continue serving worshippers and residents alike.
“Preserving these institutions means preserving the heart of our neighbourhoods,” Ms Jassim added.
Technical committee chairman Jassim Hejres said the recommendation strikes a balance between safeguarding public property and addressing community needs.
“We were keen to ensure that any exception does not compromise planning regulations or land ownership rights,” he explained. “Requiring an official survey certificate or land authority confirmation provides clarity, transparency and legal protection.”
Mr Hejres noted that existing legislation already allows, in certain cases, the rebuilding or renewal of structures based on their previous footprint and location – provided the site has not changed and construction remains within the original boundaries.
“This proposal uses those legal foundations to solve a real and widespread problem,” he said. “It enables development without opening the door to violations.”
Following the committee’s review, the council agreed to refer the recommendation to the concerned minister, calling for the formal adoption of the exception as an approved regulatory mechanism.
The move has been widely welcomed as a practical step towards resolving a long-standing issue that has affected religious infrastructure across Bahrain’s older residential areas.
Bahrain has entered the Guinness World Records on Wednesday with the highest density of houses of worship in a country with 2.577 per sqkm.
The announcement was made during a special event to mark the International Day of Peaceful Coexistence organised by the King Hamad Global Centre for Coexistence and Tolerance at the Sheraton Bahrain Hotel.
It was made by a Guinness official in the presence of Transportation and Telecommunications Minister, who is also the centre’s board chairman, Dr Shaikh Abdulla bin Ahmed Al Khalifa; Social Development Minister Osama Al Alawi; and Justice, Islamic Affairs and Endowments Minister Nawaf Al Maawda.
mohammed@gdnmedia.bh
&uuid=(email))