Hamala mall chaos

Family-friendly public space disrupted weekly by hundreds of unruly minors

What should be a relaxed, family friendly open air mall in Hamala has instead become a source of weekly frustration for visitors. The mall, home to restaurants, cafés and a dedicated children’s play area, sees its atmosphere shift dramatically every Thursday and Friday. Regular visitors estimate that between 200 and 300 minors, all believed to be under 18, gather at the mall during peak hours. A space intended for dining, leisure and family outings is instead overwhelmed by noise, disorder and intimidation. Teenagers are seen running through walkways, shouting loudly and seeking attention.

Confrontations

Verbal confrontations break out, foul language is used openly, and random visitors are targeted with loud remarks or awkward questions, often aimed at provoking reactions for amusement. The disruption extends beyond public walkways. During a visit to the mall, The Daily Tribune personally witnessed large groups entering a supermarket within the mall without any intention of shopping.

Damage

Glass cups displayed for sale were seen being broken, while food items, including chocolates, were taken without payment. Families told the Daily Tribune that their primary concern is the impact on children. The repeated use of explicit language in open areas has left parents deeply uncomfortable. Several visitors said they no longer feel the mall is suitable for family outings. Some have already reduced their visits, while others are actively seeking quieter alternatives where visitors are not exposed to shouting, insults or aggressive behaviour. Despite the apparent belief among the teenagers that their actions make them appear confident or impressive, visitors insist the reality is very different. The dominant reaction is irritation and growing resentment.

Evasion

Police officers do attend the mall, but their impact remains limited. When police vehicles arrive, the teenagers scatter into smaller groups and move to areas away from officers’ view within the same mall. Once out of sight, they regroup and resume the same disruptive behaviour. This cycle has repeated itself week after week, raising doubts about whether short term enforcement alone can resolve the issue. Responsibility Attention is now turning to mall management. Other malls across Bahrain faced similar challenges and acted by restricting entry for unaccompanied minors, restoring order and protecting family oriented environments. With many malls now enforcing such policies, visitors believe this mall has become a gathering point for teenagers barred elsewhere. Given its open air design and winter popularity, families are asking a simple question. When will the mall return to being the calm, safe and welcoming space it once was?