A government licensing arrangement that allows food and beverage outlets offering sheesha to obtain final approval without prior clearance from the municipal council and the relevant municipality is set to be challenged by Muharraq Municipal Council.
The council will vote on the issue at its first meeting of the new term today, with chairman Abdulaziz Ahmed Al Naar spearheading the move.
Mr Al Naar said the council was not seeking to block sheesha businesses but wanted municipalities to have a formal say before licences were issued, particularly where activities could affect residents and surrounding neighbourhoods.
“We are not against investment or the opening of restaurants and cafés, but there must be a proper balance between commercial activity and the rights of residents,” he said. “Municipal councils are closest to the people and are the first to receive complaints about smoke, unpleasant odours, noise, traffic congestion and other problems resulting from activities of this nature.”
The matter has been already approved by the council’s general-secretariat, which includes the chairman, vice-chairman and committee chairmen during the two-month summer recess, to seek mandatory municipal approval before final approval is granted for opening, adding or transferring food and beverage service activities involving sheesha.
It wants the requirement to be incorporated into Bahrain’s Sijilat commercial registration system, in co-ordination with the ministries of Industry and Commerce and Health as well as other relevant authorities.
Mr Al Naar said the issue was particularly important because sheesha establishments could have an impact extending beyond the premises themselves.
“A sheesha outlet does not operate in isolation. Its location, ventilation, smoke emissions, odours, customer traffic and operating hours can all have an impact on neighbouring homes and businesses,” he said. “We believe the municipality must be able to assess these factors before a final licence is granted.”
According to the documents reviewed by the council, the current Sijilat requirements list the Industry and Commerce Ministry’s pre-approval for food and beverage service activities and separate preliminary approval for sheesha services, while other approvals involve the Health Ministry, General Directorate of Criminal Investigation and Forensic Science and Civil Defence.
The municipal council argues that its own approval should form part of the process.
The move is based on Article 19 of the 2001 Municipalities Law, which gives municipal councils powers relating to public health, environmental protection and regulations governing restaurants, cafes and other establishments that may cause disturbance or harm to health.
The council also cited Article 43 of its internal regulations, under which its general-secretariat may exercise council powers between sessions in urgent matters, subject to its decisions being presented at the following council meeting.
Mr Al Naar said the council had received numerous complaints from residents about the effects of sheesha activities. “We have a responsibility to listen to citizens and act when legitimate concerns are repeatedly raised,” he said.
“Municipal councils should not simply be informed after a business has opened. We should have the opportunity to examine whether the proposed activity is suitable for the location in the first place.”
He said the council would seek co-operation rather than confrontation with the relevant ministries. “Our objective is a clear and practical regulatory mechanism that protects residents while supporting legitimate businesses,” Mr Al Naar added.“The final decision should take into account both economic activity and the health, environmental and social interests of the community.”
The council’s letter to Municipalities and Agriculture Minister Wael Al Mubarak asks that the Cabinet takes the necessary regulatory measures and keep the council informed of progress.
mohammed@gdnmedia.bh
&uuid=(email))