Muharraq may soon bear the name of Bahrain’s beloved traffic mentor

TDT | Manama

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A parliamentary proposal seeks to immortalise the legacy of the late Abdulaziz Mohammed Bouhiji — a man hailed as a pioneer in road safety and public awareness in Bahrain — by naming a main road in Muharraq after him.

The urgent motion has been submitted by Parliament Speaker Ahmed Al Musallam, alongside MPs Hamad Al Doy, Hisham Al Awadhi, Abdulwahid Qarata and Ab dulla Al Dhaen. Together, they have urged the government to rename a key thoroughfare in Bouhiji’ s beloved Muharraq, the govern o - rate he devoted much of his life to.

“This is a call to honour Abdulaziz Bouhiji for his decades of work in public awareness, traffic safety, media, and community outreach,” said Mr Al Musallam. “Naming a major road in Muharraq after him is the least we can do to recognise his legacy.”

Bouhiji’s contributions to Bahrain’s road safety culture are difficult to overstate. In 1973, he laid the foundation for the country’s first traffic awareness unit within the General Directorate of Traffic — a groundbreaking step at a time when the concept of road safety was still in its infancy.

His voice became a trusted presence on Bahraini radio for over 40 years, offering daily advice to drivers and promoting cautious, responsible behaviour on the roads. His efforts helped embed safety values into the nation’s daily life.

Bouhiji also championed early education in traffic awareness, establishing Bahrain’s first traffic-themed nursery and contributing to road safety curricula for schoolchildren.

His influence was felt far beyond Bahrain. Recognised by the Arab Road Safety Organisation as an “Arab Expert,” Bouhiji also advised other Gulf countries on public awareness and media strategy in traffic safety.

Supporters of the proposal believe that naming a road after him would be a fitting tribute — not just to the man, but to the movement he sparked.

A street carrying his name would stand as a permanent symbol of his service and a reminder to future generations of the power of public education.