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Discuss this article (12 Comments)Bahrain MPs vote for blanket ban on alcohol sales
by This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it on Wednesday, 06 May 2009
BAN VOTE: MPs in Bahrain have voted for a blanket ban on alcohol sales. (ITP Images)
MPs in Bahrain have voted in favour of a blanket ban on public sales of alcohol at Bahrain's hotels, restaurants, clubs and off-licences.
Under the proposal, hotel guests would be allowed alcohol only in their rooms while consumption in private homes would continue to be allowed, with suppliers providing home delivery.
MPs had already voted earlier to ban alcohol sales at Bahrain International Airport, including in the duty free shops and on Gulf Air flights, Gulf Daily News reported on Wednesday.
The proposal must now go to the government's Cabinet, which has the power to reject it.
Hotel and restaurant operators in Bahrain, quoted by the paper, said that any blanket ban could have a detrimental impact on the economy.
READERS' COMMENTS
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Relax
Posted by james, manama, Bahrain on Friday 2 October 2009 at 01:21 UAE time
Bahrain enjoyed alot of things for many years for being viewed as the "most westeri friendly" GCC nation. As one of the 5000 people santioned at its US Naval base and frequent patron of Manama's many bars I can tell you that complete ban will make Bahrain very un appealing to US sailors as a duty station. Frankly no one will want to be stationed her for more than six months. If that happens it is likely the US will not get sailors to come here and eventrully close the base in a more favorable location to take people to. In turn of that happens they will lose thier free trade agreements they enjoy for hosting the base. In reality I thinnk if they truly wanted to ban alchohol they could have done so quickly. They just had to do something to sooth the vain muslim world when they found thier city on western magizines citing Manama as a party place for westerners. They had to do somethng to ease the arab cries of "infidel" so they picked on the smallest group the one and two stars. No the arab nations see movement in parliment to address the problem and expats continue to drink in the 3 4 and 5 star parties. Really smart on thier part. If a total ban is what they sought they could do it and fast if the government wanted.
Posted by james, manama, Bahrain on Friday 2 October 2009 at 01:21 UAE time
Bahrain enjoyed alot of things for many years for being viewed as the "most westeri friendly" GCC nation. As one of the 5000 people santioned at its US Naval base and frequent patron of Manama's many bars I can tell you that complete ban will make Bahrain very un appealing to US sailors as a duty station. Frankly no one will want to be stationed her for more than six months. If that happens it is likely the US will not get sailors to come here and eventrully close the base in a more favorable location to take people to. In turn of that happens they will lose thier free trade agreements they enjoy for hosting the base. In reality I thinnk if they truly wanted to ban alchohol they could have done so quickly. They just had to do something to sooth the vain muslim world when they found thier city on western magizines citing Manama as a party place for westerners. They had to do somethng to ease the arab cries of "infidel" so they picked on the smallest group the one and two stars. No the arab nations see movement in parliment to address the problem and expats continue to drink in the 3 4 and 5 star parties. Really smart on thier part. If a total ban is what they sought they could do it and fast if the government wanted.
Alchohol Ban in Bahrain
Posted by Fat Expat, Bahrain on Thursday 7 May 2009 at 19:55 UAE time
So the MPs want to ban alchohol. They say they have popular backing and after living here for many years I believe them. This is how democracy works and they say they are ready to take the rough with the smooth. That's fine. Most of the letters here are from expats worried about their tax-free party in the Gulf. They don't care about what the Bahrainis think. Guys, what happens in Bahrain is Bahrain's problem. With the world in the state it's in, people will still come here to live and work even if it becomes totally dry - in the same way that people still go to live and work in Saudi.
As for the economy, well, the people who want to see alchohol stopped (amongst other things) are often the people who feel disenfranchised, who haven't been invited to the party, and who haven't enjoyed any economic benefits from the alchohol trade on this island - unless you wish to count the boys in blue/white who stand at bar doors for less than BD200/ a month. Hey, maybe somebody will think of a way to reconfigure the economy without needing booze or fat-bellied, tax-avoiding compound men from Britain and their squawking wives and kids. I'm sure the 2 billion Chinese and Indians might have some ideas. They've been making overtures to the M.E. as a whole - and unlike the Western World, they're on their way up. Bahrain wont sink into the sea without that oh-so-vital dusting of Brits, Europeans, South Africans and trendy Lebanese.
Come to think of it, with the news that KFC is now setting up Halal branches in Muslim-heavy areas of the UK, I think Bahrain has less of an extremist Islamist problem than England does. I'll stay here.
Posted by Fat Expat, Bahrain on Thursday 7 May 2009 at 19:55 UAE time
So the MPs want to ban alchohol. They say they have popular backing and after living here for many years I believe them. This is how democracy works and they say they are ready to take the rough with the smooth. That's fine. Most of the letters here are from expats worried about their tax-free party in the Gulf. They don't care about what the Bahrainis think. Guys, what happens in Bahrain is Bahrain's problem. With the world in the state it's in, people will still come here to live and work even if it becomes totally dry - in the same way that people still go to live and work in Saudi.
As for the economy, well, the people who want to see alchohol stopped (amongst other things) are often the people who feel disenfranchised, who haven't been invited to the party, and who haven't enjoyed any economic benefits from the alchohol trade on this island - unless you wish to count the boys in blue/white who stand at bar doors for less than BD200/ a month. Hey, maybe somebody will think of a way to reconfigure the economy without needing booze or fat-bellied, tax-avoiding compound men from Britain and their squawking wives and kids. I'm sure the 2 billion Chinese and Indians might have some ideas. They've been making overtures to the M.E. as a whole - and unlike the Western World, they're on their way up. Bahrain wont sink into the sea without that oh-so-vital dusting of Brits, Europeans, South Africans and trendy Lebanese.
Come to think of it, with the news that KFC is now setting up Halal branches in Muslim-heavy areas of the UK, I think Bahrain has less of an extremist Islamist problem than England does. I'll stay here.
Alcohol Ban in Bahrain
Posted by Robin Watson, Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain on Thursday 7 May 2009 at 14:14 UAE time
This should see a big wake up of the money men in Bahrain, huge losses for all those who invested in Shopping Malls, Roads and Buidlings which are all dependent on the Saudi weekenders. As a westerner I welcome the ban so I will have commodities at realistic prices, the Asians who cause traffic devestation will be gone from the roads so the country can return to what it used to be like 20 years ago. Look forward to new beaches built on the abundance of unused reclaimed land and happy Bahrainis not worried about the dirt and the spitting that these people leave in our streets.
Posted by Robin Watson, Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain on Thursday 7 May 2009 at 14:14 UAE time
This should see a big wake up of the money men in Bahrain, huge losses for all those who invested in Shopping Malls, Roads and Buidlings which are all dependent on the Saudi weekenders. As a westerner I welcome the ban so I will have commodities at realistic prices, the Asians who cause traffic devestation will be gone from the roads so the country can return to what it used to be like 20 years ago. Look forward to new beaches built on the abundance of unused reclaimed land and happy Bahrainis not worried about the dirt and the spitting that these people leave in our streets.
Proposed alcohol ban in Bahrain
Posted by Frequent Visitor, London, United Kingdom on Thursday 7 May 2009 at 11:23 UAE time
I have visited Bahrain on business, several times, over the past five years.
I enjoy the vibrant night life, particularly the many bars and hotels with live bands and the friendly atmosphere at the British Club.
A blanket ban on alcohol will destroy the international appeal of Bahrain and devastate their economy.
The real problem is not the majority of good humoured and responsible drinkers, but drunk drivers.
I have seen far more serious and frequent traffic accidents in Bahrain than there are in Dubai - and that's saying something!
The courts and police in Bahrain must come down heavily on the Bahrani and Saudi nationals who drive under the influence of excessive alcohol and believe they can get away with it, by using their money, influence and local connections.
In my experience, there are very few ex-pats, U.S. military or visitors who drink and drive, as taxis are relatively plentiful and cheap.
It is the rich, young (and one assumes, predominantly Muslim?) guys who like to race, burn rubber and spin their flashy cars around on the hand brake, who are the real danger in Bahrain.
I've twice seen these guys crash into cars and immediately run away from the scene, abandoning their own vehicles.
They are potential killers and should be treated as such by the authorities.
Posted by Frequent Visitor, London, United Kingdom on Thursday 7 May 2009 at 11:23 UAE time
I have visited Bahrain on business, several times, over the past five years.
I enjoy the vibrant night life, particularly the many bars and hotels with live bands and the friendly atmosphere at the British Club.
A blanket ban on alcohol will destroy the international appeal of Bahrain and devastate their economy.
The real problem is not the majority of good humoured and responsible drinkers, but drunk drivers.
I have seen far more serious and frequent traffic accidents in Bahrain than there are in Dubai - and that's saying something!
The courts and police in Bahrain must come down heavily on the Bahrani and Saudi nationals who drive under the influence of excessive alcohol and believe they can get away with it, by using their money, influence and local connections.
In my experience, there are very few ex-pats, U.S. military or visitors who drink and drive, as taxis are relatively plentiful and cheap.
It is the rich, young (and one assumes, predominantly Muslim?) guys who like to race, burn rubber and spin their flashy cars around on the hand brake, who are the real danger in Bahrain.
I've twice seen these guys crash into cars and immediately run away from the scene, abandoning their own vehicles.
They are potential killers and should be treated as such by the authorities.
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