Closure of bars for flouting Ramadan rule sparks debate

A decision by the Ministry of Information to close the bars of five-star hotels guilty of not abiding by a ruling to ban the sale of alcohol in Ramadan is sparking a debate on the extent of individual freedoms in Bahrain.

The punitive action which has hit most of the five-star hotels and one four-star hotel for seven days, including the bustling Eid holidays, was described by hoteliers as "a serious blow to their earnings and a setback to tourism".

The ministry said that it took the decision to shut down "facilities" at the hotels because they had ignored its warnings not to sell alcoholic beverages during the month of Ramadan.

Hoteliers complained that the ministry had failed to warn them in advance about the decision not to sell alcohol in Ramadan.

"We would have taken the appropriate measures by not stocking beverages and by giving the personnel in charge days off.

"Because of the ministry's late instruction, we faced lots of personnel and logistic problems," they told the media.

Sources told Gulf News that the ministry move against the sale of alcohol during the holy month was prompted by fears that the Minister of Information, who is in charge of the tourism portfolio, would be quizzed after Eid by the Council of Representatives.

The 40-member constitutional institution is dominated by Sunni and Shiite Islamists who have been voicing their opposition to the sale of alcohol during Ramadan.

Businessman Rashid Al Zayani said that no curbs could be imposed on people's freedoms.

"What has happened to the Quranic order 'No compulsion in religion'?

"While we demand that people abroad respect the rights of Muslim minorities, we are here restricting those of expatriates," he said.

According to a senior official at a leading hotel "the decision by the Ministry of Information to close bars for seven days is oppressive and stains the reputation of Bahrain as a tolerant and broadminded country where people are allowed to enjoy their freedoms.

"Such decisions are taken to please some people with utter disregard to the higher interests of the nation," he said adding that rebuilding Bahrain's reputation would take years and millions of dinars.

Bahrain Chamber for Commerce and Industry board aspirant Nabeel Khalid Kanoo said the ministry decision compounded "an ugly situation during the Eid days." He said "there were no concerts, festivals or activities that would make thousands of people spend some days here."

"There is an urgent need to set up an independent tourism authority and draw up an adequate strategy that would seriously address the problems plaguing the sector and put an end to bizarre decisions and peculiar moves," he said.

"The decision to close bars stains the reputation of Bahrain as a tolerant and broadminded country where people are allowed to enjoy their freedoms," a senior official at a leading hotel said.