Sprucing Of Old Manama Souq Remains A Pipe Dream

Manama

 For tourists Old Manama Souq offers little charm. A visit to this place would leave one highly disappointed considering the sad state of the tourist hub now. Decrepit buildings like HSBC and Jashanmal simply exude the feeling of forlorn milieu, which keeps away the visitors.

 “To save this tourist hub from becoming a thing of the past beautification of the old Souq is necessary,” says Abdul Karim Alfulaij, a prominent trader here.

 In his opinion, HSBC and Jashanmal buildings should be opened and spruced up. “There is no point in leaving such important buildings located at the heart of Manama empty and deserted. Use them or sell them - don’t leave them abandoned,” demands Alfulaij.   

 The ambience of the bazaars does not give the feel of the modern traditional bazaars. They look like the markets of the eighteenth century. “On the other hand the traditional old Souqs of Qatar, Dubai, Kuwait and even Saudi Arabia are just like paradise compared to our old Souq,” he adds.

 Apart from the abandoned buildings, there are abandoned empty plots. Such plots can be used for construction purposes or opened for car parking of the visitors. 

 Moreover, there is no shade on the cement seats placed on the roadside. During summer the temperature in the bazaars gets too high to let the customers come and do shopping. Steam fans can be fixed to cool down the temperature making the movement of the walkers easier.

 It is high time the authorities revived the charm and architectural beauty of Old Manama Souq to make a desirable tourist destination.