Manama: A Bahraini lawmaker has urged the country's civil society, political societies, media, and upper chamber to support a drive by the lower chamber to ban alcohol in Bahrain.
"There is a pressing need to enact a law that protects the Bahraini society from the dangers and damages associated with alcohol," Abdul Halim Murad said.
"The arguments that the ban would harm the local economy and deter investors are totally fallacious. Countries progress and prosper thanks to their investments in knowledge, industry, financial services and technology, not through alcohol," said the MP representing Al Asala, Bahrain's largest Salafi group.
The lower chamber last week voted unanimously for a total ban on the import, sale, production and consumption of alcohol in Bahrain's territory "on land, sea and in the air".
However, the bill will have to be approved by the more liberal upper chamber amid expectations that it would be blocked.
Under the proposed legislation, violators would face up to three years in jail and a fine of up to 500 Bahraini dinars, or both, and the punishments would be doubled for repeat offenders.
Several people have said that the bill to ban alcohol was introduced by the lower chamber for electoral purposes with the next legislative elections due in October or November.
However, Abdul Halim denied the claims, saying that the bill was first submitted five years ago and did not seek to take advantage of people's strong emotions and gain political mileage.
"The drive to have alcohol banned in Bahrain started in 2005, but it was regretfully stalled. We tried again in 2007, and the bill was submitted to the government to re-draft it as a potential law. The government returned it to the lower chamber in February 2010 and we debated it on March 9, so it is not a move for electoral purposes as has been alleged," he said.
The MP said that only a limited number of people benefited financially from the sale of alcohol.
"We have to be careful not to follow those who propagate destructive ideas and views while making dirty money. They are keen one exploiting others while disobeying divine orders," he said. "We urge the members of the upper chamber to take all this into consideration when they review the bill," Abdul Halim said.
