Manama: As part of efforts to enhance community presence and highlight its role in maintaining security and safety, and in line with its commitment to raising public awareness, the Ministry of Interior directorates participated in the 2025 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix through a dedicated pavilion at Bahrain International Circuit (BIC).
According to Bahrain News Agency, the pavilion showcased the ministry's key responsibilities, technological initiatives, and awareness campaigns, emphasising its commitment to effective engagement with all segments of society. In its first participation within the ministry's pavilion, the Information and eGovernment Authority (iGA) highlighted its latest technological projects, including the unified application for individual services 'MyGov', the upgraded version of the eKey application (Key 2.0), and a range of other digital services.
Lulwa Sami Ibrahim, Director of Communications and Marketing at the iGA, emphasised the importance of taking part in this major international event. She said that participating in the ministry's pavilion provided an ideal platform for direct communication with the public and raising awareness of e-services.
Major Fatima Gharib, Head of Internal Relations at the Public Relations Directorate, said that the main idea behind the ministry's pavilion this year was to highlight the modern role of the police by showcasing its latest technology-based services and using technology in awareness efforts to promote public safety. The pavilion featured interactive VR games and demonstrations by the General Directorate of Civil Defence, the General Directorate of Traffic, the Operations Directorate of the Public Security Presidency, the Directorate of Protocol and VIP Protection, and the National Ambulance Centre. It also included a display of the official uniforms used by the ministry's various directorates.
Major Fawaz Mohammed Ali, Head of the Cyberspace Child Protection Unit, underlined the importance of raising awareness among parents and children about cybercrime. The unit presented live examples of risks and reporting mechanisms.
Major Kholood Yahya Ibrahim, Head of Awareness and Education at the General Directorate of Traffic, highlighted the importance of participation by showcasing e-traffic services and educational videos, in addition to presenting the latest patrol vehicles equipped with modern cameras for monitoring traffic violations and responding to public inquiries.
Captain Rashid Abdulrahman Al Shaikh, from the Public Security Presidency's Community Affairs Division, said the participation of the community police reflects its central role in further developing community partnership and building trust with the public by preventing crime and intervening early in minor disputes. He added that mobile field teams at the venue helped guide visitors and familiarise them with the facilities, reinforcing the concept of security as a shared societal responsibility.
Captain Mohammed Al Ghanim, from the National Ambulance Centre, said that the participation was part of community partnership and inter-agency cooperation to raise public awareness about the importance of working with ambulance teams and how to respond correctly to emergencies. He also highlighted the first responder motorcycle initiative aimed at enhancing response time to incidents.
Captain Mohammed Ibrahim Al Rayyes, from the General Directorate of Civil Defence, said the pavilion displayed primary response mechanisms for handling various emergency reports. He added that it also included an informational display explaining types of fire extinguishers and how to use them, helping raise preventive awareness among visitors.
Captain Salman Mohammed Al Mohaisen, from the Operations Directorate of the Public Security Presidency, said the participation aimed to showcase the latest technologies and advanced equipment used in rescue patrols, which contribute directly to faster response to reports and handling various emergencies.
As part of the participation of the General Directorate of Verdict Enforcement and Alternative Sentencing in the ministry's pavilion, Captain Khalid Adel Al Khaja, from the Verdict Enforcement Directorate and a member of the Fael Khair initiative, highlighted that the participation aims to raise visitor awareness of the importance of the initiative, which supports individuals in financial distress who are subject to judicial rulings. He noted that donations could be made through available electronic platforms.
First Lieutenant Maryam Mohammed Al Tamimi, Head of Financial Affairs at the Directorate, added that the participation also aimed to introduce visitors to alternative sentencing and the open prison programme, explaining the role these initiatives play in rehabilitating individuals within society.
The Police K9 Unit of the Special Security Force presented its operational mechanisms and areas of specialisation through demonstrations on the roles performed by police dogs in various security tasks, as well as an overview of the tools used and how they are applied depending on the mission and security situation.
Several visitors expressed admiration for the ministry's pavilion. Raja Al Jouri noted the event's focus on children's awareness, Adnan Al Khatib said the pavilion was informative in introducing Civil Defence and traffic services, Dr. Ammar Jaffar Al Ekrie commended the high quality of organisation, and young visitor Jassim Mohammed Al Matawa expressed his admiration for police cars and their role in assisting the public.