A proposal to rename Al Sayah as Busaiteen District sparked a heated war of words at Muharraq Municipal Council yesterday, with councillors clashing over whether the move would restore a fading identity or erase a piece of local heritage.
Busaiteen and Al Sayah councillor Mohammed Al Mahmood proposed the change, arguing that the historic Busaiteen name is gradually disappearing from everyday use, particularly among younger generations.
He said Al Sayah’s growing popularity, particularly among students of the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland-Bahrain, visitors to King Hamad University Hospital and those frequenting the area’s food trucks, had contributed to the shift.
As a result, Busaiteen was increasingly being overshadowed by Al Sayah, Mr Al Mahmood said, explaining that his urgent proposal would give the wider area a name that would preserve Busaiteen’s identity.
But Arad councillor Ahmed Al Meghawi strongly opposed the move, insisting that Al Sayah was not simply a modern label that could be discarded at will. He argued that the name was part of Muharraq’s heritage, referring to a protected island near Busaiteen and homes built on reclaimed land surrounding it that continue to carry the Al Sayah identity.
“The signs of both areas are there, so why do you want to cancel one?” he said.
The dispute prompted council chairman Abdulaziz Al Naar to suspend the debate, giving councillors time to consider the arguments.
A new vote must be held within 14 days. If the proposal is rejected, the issue cannot be reopened, while approval would send it to the National Naming Committee, chaired by Parliament and Shura Council Affairs Minister Ghanim Al Buainain, for further consideration.
Mr Al Mahmood has since submitted an amended proposal seeking to designate the stretch covering the former Covid-19 checkpoint, the food trucks and Busaiteen Corniche in Block 229 as Busaiteen District.
The proposed area is closer to the historic Al Sayah island, while Block 228, near Muharraq Municipality, the university and the college, would remain with the Al Sayah name.
However, Mr Al Meghawi also objected to the amended proposal, arguing that the change would not reflect how people actually identify the area.
“Keep it as it is, why force an unnecessary change?” he questioned.
“Historically, that place is Al Sayah because of the island, and any name change doesn’t reflect reality.
“Also, what would it cost to change addresses, signs and other government arrangements? In the end, both are in one constituency!”
Mr Al Mahmood has sought to strengthen his case by pointing to Busaiteen’s agricultural past.
“The name Busaiteen derives from the Arabic word ‘Bustan’, meaning garden, reflecting the abundance of gardens and cultivated land that once characterised the area made famous by the Seyadi Family Gardens,” Mr Al Mahmood told his colleagues at the meeting.
“Located in the north-western corner of Muharraq Island, Busaiteen was historically known for its palm trees, green orchards and freshwater artesian springs overlooking the sea.
“That’s why we are keen to promote and keep the name Busaiteen before Al Sayah.”
Mr Al Mahmood argues that recognising Busaiteen District would help preserve its identity as development and changing patterns of public use make Al Sayah a more familiar name among younger generations and visitors.
Mr Al Meghawi, however, maintains that Al Sayah’s historical significance deserves equal protection, pointing to the island, the reclaimed land surrounding it and homes that continue to carry its name.
The close relationship between the two localities is further reflected in their joint recognition by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as a single Healthy City.
mohammed@gdnmedia.bh
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