21 September 2007

Pearl Roundabout to be Torn Down

Pearl Roundabout to be Torn Down
21 September 2007

Although once considered a national landmark, the Pearl Roundabout is to be torn down to make way for a new six-lane highway to combat the ever-increasing congestion in Manama. The Pearl Roundabout consists of 6 arms representing the brotherly GCC countries of Bahrain, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, UAE and Oman, which are adorned with a huge pearl, stating Bahrain as the pearl of the gulf.



What do you think of this for news? This event follows the tearing down of the Bahrain Map on Athari Highway a few days ago. Sure, the map wasn't the biggest national monument we have, but it was a well-known landmark, and it does hold some value to us.

But now its gone. As simple as that.

Over the years, i've seen thousands of palm trees torn down to make way for new highways and buildings. I've seen our public beaches and corniches turn into inland spaces, as land reclaimation pushes the sea further and further away from us. I've seen our traditional sites and cultural destinations all but wiped out to make way for newer business and money making-machines, and now, i'm seeing our landmarks destroyed to build infrastructure for the 'New Bahrain'.

But let me help you breathe a sigh of relief. The above article is false; I made it up. But is this future really that far away from the truth?

24 comments:

Capt. Arab said...

That's kinda sparks a memory for me, remember the stories our dad's and uncles and even our grand-parents tell us about. Things like there used to be this and there used to be that... It has come to a point that we are a nation of today, getting advanced and sophisticated too fast and with nothing to hold on to. On the same token I remember Ramadan had a different meaning for me (back in the days about 25 years ago), something that I can't find today which is unity amongst everybody in this Holy month. God one Bro.

Anonymous said...

Don't want to read much into it .. but good riddance! It's symbolism -- joining all GCC countries -- is hypocritical to say the least! Also, we are hardly a pearl now .. are we?

Anonymous said...

If this piece was true, people in the nearby apartment complex will be really pissed off lol

إبتهال سلمان said...

It's so possible for this to come true, if not today maybe tomorrow .. I will not be surprised any more, they are tearing down their own people everyday, so why not the landmarks.

Anonymous said...

it was clear since they started building the new area ( bahrain harbour and city center etc ) that they were changing the whole area .
so it was so expected

Seroo said...

That's really cruel ammar. The tears had already welled up by the time I read the end of your article.

I may never believe you again.

Anonymous said...

The roundabout used to look huge, standing tall in an open area. Now it's dwarfed by fly-overs and giant towers.
Anyway, I think a highway will be more useful :p
What's next? Arad fort?

Navy Girl said...

heeeeeeey :( i loved it !! its very nice !!

Ammaro said...

Capt Arab; yes, things have changed... Maaaaan, we sound like our parents back in the day...

SillyBahGirl; I won't doubt that we used to be the pearl of the gulf, but I think that title has been stripped away a long time ago..

Anon; lol

ebtihal; True, it wouldn't come as much of a suprise...

Lizardo; sad really though, isn't it?

Seroo; I didn't lie dear, there's a sad truth to this article. Want some sport news?

Mohd Issa; I actually got the same thing from a foreigner who left Bahrain around 97... they came back last year and they said the pearl roundabout was lost in all the new construction, brought a tear to her eye...

Navy girl; yes, we all do

Unknown said...

La, you made it up. Nothing to worry about then! :p In all honesty though, things change, in due time things fall out of place, and sooner or later these things happen whether we like it or not.

Shionge said...

I am sad that it has to be torn down for something new...same here in Singapore, so many old buildings have to make way for new and somehow we lost our heritage too :(

Anonymous said...

That would really suck!

But after the Bahrain Map and Isa Town Gateway (before they rebuilt it) It could become a reality.

I think they should tear down the horrid Riffa Clock Tower Roundabout!

SillyBahrainiGirl I disagree with you, why do you think we're not a pearl anymore?

I think we are now even more of a pearl than ever before!

Missy said...

ammar 6ayaaa7t galby! I don't know why, I have something for that roundabout at night. lol

Anonymous said...

I almost had a heart attack when I read about such a plan for my favorite roundabout in Bahrain. Well, I like the one with the clock tower, too, but come on, the Pearl. THE PEARL. Makes me wonder how much of what you have written here previously is not true, too? ;) hopefully no tricking us on the money management crash course ;) BECAUSE I DID JUST WHAT YOU TOLD US TO DO. lol

eshda3wa said...

i felt sad reading that
but your rite
in the name of development we r breaking down land marks and even behavioral traditions

i does mke me wonder if one day well make up and not be able to identify ourself

Anonymous said...

hmm guess i'm one of the few who got excited at reading ur fake article. while i do agree with most of the comments about how bahrain is losing some of its main 'trademarks' (i was v sad about the map!), for some reason knowing how bad congestion is in manama, it was worth losing this one!

perhaps there's another solution, but according to a line i heard in a movie recently: you cant stand in the way of progress. and since bahrain keeps just moving its traffic bottlenecks from one location to another, i'm anxiously awaiting a solution!

Missy said...

hey, which map?

Ammaro said...

N; true, I did make it up, but it proves a point. Take a look at some of the replies; some people felt tears, because it means so much to us, but you never know, one day they just might rip it apart...

Shionge; I don't even want think about the heritage that has been pushed out of the way to make room for all that modern infrastructure in Singapore..

Yaqoob; the clock tower, lol

Missy; we all have a thing for it :(

So be it; HEY! I specifically stated at the end of the article that I MADE IT UP :p And its good to see youre following the money tips. Lend me some when you become a millionaire :p

eshda3wa; sometimes I feel lost...

MSB; We don't necessarily need to 'lose' them, at least move them out of the way! they do that in other countries, they move whole castles for godssake! Here laaaa, lets just blow them up and move on.. We need solutions but we should keep our landmarks too! Whats our new landmark? Bahrain Fniancial Harbor?

Missy: click on the link in the article! Bahrain Map, share3 el 5aree6a! its gone!

Reem B. said...

it's always sad when a landmark is torn down.. even if it's not officially a land mark :S God knows i feel sad if a "ba8alla" gets shut down if it's a ba88ala in the same fereeej I grew up in for years and years !! hehehe

Bas walla it hurts :P

M said...

Glad to know it is false knews =P
Hmmm, Your post made me think and reflect on OUR current status and reality in Dubai!
Our freej will be removed..Imagine?
Becuase of "business bay" they are trying to open and connect the creek with the beach (jumeira beach).
It is painful just to think about it...All those projects going through different phases and stages and with them they get to change people's memories of the place.

Ammaro said...

cancarian/dynamic; i know, dubai has been completely ripped apart and turned around. i used to feel lost just living there a few years, im sure it feels bad for those who grew up and lived there all their lives...

Reem B. said...

:( Very sad.... very harsh.....

Missy said...

LOOOOLLLLLLLLLL,,, 9ij wallah?! :|
ammar I pass by that road EVERYDAY :S


omgggg 7di 3amya! *SHOCKED!!!!!!!*

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