Halat Bu Maher
Halat Bu Maher
حالة بو ماهر | |
|---|---|
Neighborhood | |
  Halat Bu Maher Location in Bahrain | |
| Coordinates: 26°14′46″N 50°36′54″E / 26.24611°N 50.61500°E | |
| Country |  Bahrain |
| Governorate | Muharraq Governorate |
Halat Bu Maher (Arabic: حالة بو ماهر), sometimes abbreviated to simply "Al Hala" (Arabic: الحالة), is a neighbourhood of Muharraq, Bahrain. It used to be a separate island, but after coastal expansion via land reclamation and dredging, the island has merged with Muharraq Island, and the former settlement integrated as a neighbourhood of Muharraq city.
Historical Significance
[edit]Located at the southern tip of Muharraq city, the neighborhood is home to Bu Maher Fort, a historic structure that is part of the UNESCO-listed Bahrain Pearling Trail.[1] The fort, constructed in 1840, is believed to have been built on the remnants of a 16th-century Portuguese fortification. The area also played a key role in Bahrain’s public health history, serving as a quarantine camp in the early 20th century for travelers arriving by sea or air. In 1930, it was specifically used as a quarantine station for smallpox containment.[2] The Al Hala Club football team is based here.[3][4]
Key Features
[edit]- Bu Maher Fort – A partially restored historical fort, with a single remaining tower.
- Visitor Center – The starting point of the Bahrain Pearling Trail, providing insights into the country’s pearling heritage.
- Halat Bu Maher Health Center – A 24-hour medical facility offering a range of healthcare services to the local community.
- Strategic Location – Overlooks and controls the straits between Bahrain and Muharraq, as well as the bay between Muharraq Town and Arad Fort.
Modern developments
[edit]Halat Bu Maher is now physically connected to the Muharraq mainland via a narrow isthmus and is also accessible by boat from the Bahrain National Museum. It is home to the Al Hala Club, a local football team. The neighborhood continues to serve as an important cultural, historical, and community hub within Bahrain, blending heritage preservation with modern infrastructure.[4][3]
References
[edit]- ^ Clear coastline! Archived 2012-03-31 at the Wayback Machine, Gulf Daily News, April 15, 2008
- ^ Toorani, Mohamed Qasim (2020-07-01). "Halat Bu Maher: the past and present use of quarantine in Bahrain" (PDF). Eastern Mediterranean Health Journal. 26 (7): 764–767. doi:10.26719/emhj.20.083.
- ^ a b admin (2014-02-22). "Bahrain: Portuguese Fort of Halat Bu Maher". Colonial Voyage. Retrieved 2025-02-17.
- ^ a b emhj. "Halat Bu Maher: the past and present use of quarantine in Bahrain". World Health Organization - Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean. Retrieved 2025-02-17.
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