A disputed residential area situated between the villages of Galali and Samaheej could be renamed as ‘Raya’, drawing on the historical legacy of Ayn Raya, an ancient water spring in the region.
The area in question lies between Muharraq Governorate Constituency Five – which includes Galali, Amwaj Islands, Dilmunia and Diyar Al Muharraq – and Constituency Six, which includes Dair and Samaheej.
Both communities have long claimed the area as part of their own, with conflicting proposals over what it should be called.
The decision to name the area ‘Raya’ was picked from three proposals which also included ‘West Galali’ and ‘North Samaheej’. The final choice was seen as a symbolic compromise ‘rooted in shared historical geography and social ties’.
Muharraq Municipal Council has unanimously approved the move and referred it to the Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture Minister Wael Al Mubarak for review.
Council Vice-Chairman Saleh Buhazaa, who represents Constituency Five, said the plan reflects a desire to bring clarity and unity to the residents of the disputed area.
“We wanted a name that reflects the shared heritage of both villages, without leaning too far toward one side,” Mr Buhazaa said.
“By naming it ‘Raya,’ we are honouring a historic natural spring that connects both communities geographically and emotionally.”
He noted that the Ayn Raya spring itself is located in Samaheej (Constituency Six), but its water channels have historically extended toward Galali (Constituency Five), symbolising a natural link between the two villages.
Meanwhile, technical committee chairman Fadhel Al Oud, who represents Constituency Six and played a leading role in the discussions, echoed Mr Buhazaa’s sentiments.
“This was never just about a name. It was about giving identity and recognition to a place that has grown into a thriving residential and commercial hub,” Mr Al Oud said.
“Choosing the name ‘Raya’ honours the past while looking forward to the future.”
The renaming has also received enthusiastic backing from MP Khalid Bu Onk, Strategic Thinking Bloc spokesman and the area MP representing Constituency Five.
Mr Bu Onk hailed the decision as a ‘landmark compromise’ that brings overdue clarity to a growing neighbourhood caught in bureaucratic limbo.
“Raya, if it gets called this, is not located in Samaheej nor Galali, although addresses show it as Galali,” said Mr Bu Onk.
“Also, living in that area are people from Samaheej, who believe it is an extension to their historic village and natural spring and not Galali,” he added.
For years, residents have been divided over the area’s name, with postal services, civil documents, and even GPS systems inconsistently referencing it as part of Galali or Samaheej.
This ambiguity, Mr Bu Onk argued, has created identity confusion and complications in service delivery.
“A halfway agreement on the name is fair and gives the area an identity – I have been pushing for this for a very long time,” he said.
“With this name, the area now has a sense of place. It respects the historical roots while fostering cohesion among residents.”
The name Raya is derived from Ayn Raya, a historical freshwater spring that has been a vital source of life and culture in Muharraq for generations.
While the spring itself lies within Samaheej, the water network once extended to the lands now occupied by residents of Galali.
Naming the area after this shared natural landmark is viewed by many as ‘an elegant resolution to a sensitive issue’.
It also signals a rare victory for community-driven identity within the kingdom’s urban planning framework.
If approved, the government will have to update maps, postal codes and signs.
The change will also be reflected in municipal and civil records to ensure consistency across services.
Municipal officials have pledged to engage residents in the implementation process to ensure a smooth transition and to raise awareness about the historical and cultural significance of the new name.
“We see this as a beginning, not an end,” said Constituency Five MP Dr Hisham Al Asheeri.
“It opens the door to further co-operation between constituencies in Muharraq on infrastructure, service development and cultural preservation,” he said.
“The renaming of this area as ‘Raya’ represents not only a geographical clarification, but a symbolic bridge between two historic communities. With unity and history at its heart, the name sets the tone for a future of shared identity and mutual respect in Muharraq.”
mohammed@gdnmedia.bh
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