Bahrain bans Muslims from consuming, importing booze

Gulf kingdom was previously known as a waterhole for Saudis living just across the bridge.

By ADAM GONN / THE MEDIA LINE
drinking liquor 311 (photo credit: AP)
drinking liquor 311
(photo credit: AP)
The Bahraini parliament has adopted an amendment forbidding the kingdom’s Muslims from consuming or importing alcohol.
Bahrain is a popular holiday destination or weekend getaway spot for Saudi Arabian youth unable to drink in their own country. The move by the all-appointed Upper House of Bahrain’s parliament will all but end such travel.
“The problem is not that they drink,” Bahraini blogger Mohamed Al-Maskati told The Media Line. “It is what is happening afterwards - car accidents, anti-social behavior - that is the problem.”
The sale of alcohol to non-Muslims will not be affected by the decision; another Bahraini blogger, who preferred to remain anonymous, told The Media Line that there was doubt as to how stringently the new law would be enforced.  
“I don’t think it will happen, because they can’t afford it - the sale of alcohol is too important,” the blogger said. “Bahrain is an island that is very close to Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates and in addition to this strategic location, it is also one of the most liberal countries in the region.”
“Over the last couple of years, there have been more and more people feeling that the traditional values are being threatened and western values are taking over,” the blogger continued. “If they pass this, there will be some loophole, like in Dubai, where if you are a Muslim you can dress in a shirt and tie and go into a bar and no one is going to ask if you are a Muslim.”
While drinking alcohol is forbidden for Muslims as per the Kuran, hotels and restaurants that cater to the region’s large expatriate and tourist populations are allowed to serve it.
 
Bahrain and other counties in the Gulf, most notably the United Arab Emirates, have invested heavily in establishing themselves as tourist destinations by founding global airlines and building massive hotels and shopping malls.   
 
Bars and restaurants selling alcohol tend to be located in large, urban hotels, not in areas where locals live.
 
Over the last couple of years, however, there has been growing anger over restaurants serving alcohol during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, during which faithful Muslims refrains from eating or drinking from the time the sun rises to sunset.
 
Many of those pushing for an alcohol ban during Ramadan argue that it is disrespectful of non-Muslims not to follow local customs.