INVESTORS could be welcomed to turn Al Sayah island into a state-of-the-art tourist destination, on the condition that any plans will include preserving the place’s historic features.
Area councillor Waheed Al Mannai told the GDN that he is open to the idea of converting the place, off Muharraq’s coast, into a touristic zone provided its heritage is protected.
“We want to open the island for investors because that may provide the best security against vandalism or looters,” he said.“Provided, of course, that the investors take care of the historical place.
“However, there are issues that can put those plans at risk, such as the new bridge currently being built.”
Mr Al Mannai explained that the new BD94 million bridge linking Muharraq and Manama, reclamation work for which started in January 2020, has since been rerouted to bypass the island.
The 550-metre bridge is an extension of the 7.8km-long North Muharraq Highway project which also includes the 4.2km-long Muharraq ring road.
Once completed, the project will connect north Busaiteen and Bahrain Bay.
However, the councillor fears that the construction activity and reclaimed land being worked on, may affect the water currents in the area.
“We have not received any study from the Works, Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning Ministry showing the land being built on, or if the bridge will adversely affect the water currents around the island.
“This lack of information makes it hard to plan, or to even oppose the bridge plan.
“If the water currents are tampered with, it could make it difficult for ships and fisherman to pass through the area, not even mentioning crossing it to get to the island to begin with.”
The island has a rich history and folklore, including a tale that the Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) once passed through Al Sayah.
A hungry genie, named Bu Gedo, was also rumoured to have once inhabited the island, supposedly demanded picnickers leave food for it.
A number of scientific studies conducted by researchers from Bahrain University concluded that the sounds attributed to Bu Gedo over hundreds of years were the natural ecological release of air during low and high tides.
Further studies by the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities found that the island could have once been a freshwater supplying depot built on reclaimed land more than 1,200 years ago – a rare example of an ‘extraordinary feat of engineering’.
The disruption of water currents is not Mr Al Mannai’s only fear. Al Sayah residents have been complaining of sand and dust entering their homes and damaging their property health and leaving them vulnerable to respiratory illness such as asthma, pneumoconiosis and silicosis.
“We are already in a lot of trouble as we seek solutions, both permanent and temporary, to the residents’ problems,” he said.
“And I’m afraid that the new bridge could possibly exacerbate the problems.”
There are around 630 homes with around 2,000 residents on the island.
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