A proposal to construct prayer rooms along Bahrain’s public walkways, parks, gardens and corniches has prompted broader policy clarification from the Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture Ministry.
Municipal Affairs Under-Secretary Shaikh Mohammed bin Ahmed Al Khalifa explained that the kingdom’s recreational areas are designed primarily for leisure, sports and community activities. Their development, he said, is guided by strict planning standards that define the scope and nature of the facilities permitted within these zones.
The ministry’s clarification follows a recommendation to introduce a prayer room at the Sitra Bridge Walkway and Corniche.
However, Shaikh Mohammed stressed that the issue is not limited to a single location or governorate; rather, it reflects a wider planning philosophy applied to public recreational spaces across Bahrain.
According to Shaikh Mohammed, approved designs for walkways and parks typically include seating areas, shaded walking paths, play zones, green spaces, restrooms and service facilities directly related to recreational use. Prayer rooms, he noted, are not considered part of the basic components of such facilities under current design frameworks.
He further explained that adding prayer rooms would introduce new operational and organisational demands, including continuous cleaning and maintenance, regular supervision, and the allocation of space originally intended for leisure or essential service functions aligned with the nature of the walkway or park.
“Such additions require dedicated operational mechanisms to ensure they are ready for use at all times, which goes beyond the intended scope of these recreational sites,” he said.
Space limitations were also highlighted as a practical concern, as many existing walkways and corniches were developed within tight spatial parameters to prioritise open-air movement, landscaping and public comfort.
Despite these constraints, Shaikh Mohammed expressed appreciation for the interest shown by municipal councils, particularly the Capital Trustees Board, in enhancing public facilities and addressing community needs. He affirmed that proposals of this kind are valuable and will be considered in the planning and design of future large-scale parks and public sites.
“For now, however, the ministry’s position is clear: the primary function of walkways and parks remains recreational, and any additions outside that framework must be carefully assessed in light of design intent, operational feasibility and spatial constraints,” he said.
Shaikh Mohammed reiterated the ministry’s commitment to developing public facilities that meet community aspirations while upholding established planning standards to ensure these spaces remain functional, accessible and enjoyable for all.
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