Manama: Conservative parliamentary blocs have begun lobbying to ensure a complete alcohol ban in hotel outlets during Ramadan, an MP said yesterday.
Brotherhood movement MP Mohammad Khalid told Gulf News that although Ramadan would start during the parliament's recess, efforts would be made to push the government to implement the ban similar to last year.
The parliament public session is expected to start in the second week of October, but Khalid threatens to quiz the concern officials if the government would go lenient on implementing the ban.
"More than 90 per cent are conservative Sunni and Shiite MPs and they are supporting the ban, so pushing the government to take action against violators is an easy task," he said.
Last year, eight bars from five hotels were shutdown during the Eid Al Fitr holiday for violating the alcohol ban in Ramadan. The decision was taken by the Minister of Information Dr Mohammad Abdul Gaffar after MPs asked for action to be taken against them.
Objection
"We have been pushing for an alcohol-free society throughout the year by proposing alcohol ban in Bahrain in the beginning of first legislative term in 2002, but for some reasons the proposal didn't reach the public session for voting," he explained.
Former MP Abbas Hassan objected to the parliament's ban move and highlighted that the ban would create black market for alcohol and hotels' illegal actions. He said that studies highlighted that the consumption of alcohol was high in countries that are banning it. Hassan said that Bahrainis were influenced by the Islamic cultures and don't need a ban to stop drinking alcohol.
Businessmen lawmakers who represent majority of Consultative Council (Shura) members have been criticising the ban decision for its negative affects on tourism and the personal freedom.
Shura member Jamal Fakhro told Gulf News that banning alcohol wouldn't make Bahrainis better Muslims than others from Islamic countries, but would affect the business of hotels. "Many restaurants are selling ham in Bahrain, but that doesn't mean that Muslims are eating ham or Bahrainis aren't conservatives or religious."
He said that people should be allowed to lead their own lifestyles and have religious freedom as conservatives wouldn't buy alcohol with or without ban.
Fakhro called upon MPs to concentrate on serious issues and efficiently practice their legislative and supervision power, rather than waste their times on shallow matters.
Suad Hamada is a journalist based in Manama.
