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Job losses warning over Bahrain alcohol ban plan
by This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it on Thursday, 7 May 2009Posted on Sunday, 18 October 2009
The Real Bahrain.
Posted by Sam at 14:27 UAE time
"Control" is a failed concept. You see it in all the countries where they ban the freedom to choose. It's becoming a very hostile world and censoring/ banning is become now a format of all every institute. Soon teh world will divide and an eye for an eye will make thsi world go blind.
Just reason by looking at countries that have already done so you realise it's more a white wash and a breeding ground for the black market.
They tried to ban cable TV and it flurished in the black market. Even alcohol will do so eventually. But what will happen in the process it will hurt what little economy Bahrain has from tourism.
I being born in Bahrain know that the youth in bahrain have a bigger issue with drugs than alcohol. And Drugs its already banned there. The MPs need to really focus on priorities.
This will only make the outsider view bahraini's as another fanatic race of people who have no room for other cultures or thoughts.
Its not about what comes on the TV it's about your right to change the channel.
But one day they will learn how democracy too can fail when it led by house of MPs who know nothing about administration.
I wish all the best to Bahrain. I hope I'm wrong about this Final outcome.
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Posted on Sunday, 28 June 2009
Alcohol ban plan
Posted by Afra at 00:49 UAE time
for all those who are talking about the set back in freedom: alcohol is a toxic substance which cost the health systems around the world billions of dollars every year. it is a killer in itself, a cause of cancer and a cause of car accidents. tourism based on alcohol and sex trade is the worst kind and all countries should avoid it, being a muslim should strengthen this point. good for you bahrain, this way you get rid of those who seek to pollute you and open your arms to those seeking quality time
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Posted on Friday, 5 June 2009
Sami unplugged!
Posted by Ian at 12:30 UAE time
Sami
What ridiculous comments. There is a significant weekly 'flood' of Saudi Nationals who head across the Causeway to partake of the freedoms that Bahrain offers. Have you been blind to this? I do see an advantage for Bahrain in the banning of alcohol, but that is simply a reduction in the number of trafic accidents caused by the combination of Saudi's, alcohol and their cars! Wake up and smell the coffee mate!
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Posted on Thursday, 14 May 2009
What is the goal behind the ban?
Posted by Tim at 11:19 UAE time
The effect on the economy is a big issue, but it is not THE issue. Is Bahrain serious about freedoms and acceptance of different cultures or not? I lived there for 14 months and despite the country's shortcomings it has my affection for not trying as hard as its neighbours to modify the behaviour of expats. It seemed somehow more sophisticated and worldly-wise in this. But on one hand Bahrain is set to scrap the sponsorship system, and on the other to blanket ban alcohol......what message are its leaders trying to convey to potential new residents?
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Posted on Saturday, 9 May 2009
They will suffer as a result
Posted by jo at 23:04 UAE time
Although I certainly would respect any decision to move towards a more conservative Bahrain through the banning of alcohol, I think the impact on the economy would be catastrophic. Alcohol is a source of "freedom" for both expatriates and tourists. As a result, with alcohol expatriates can live in Bahrain with the ability to have the same freedoms they do at home. Saudis and Kuwaiti tourists also opt for frequent visits to Bahrain because they don't have such freedoms at home. From expatriates, to visiting Saudi's, to American and British sailors, let's face it, alcohol is a major factor in terms of Bahrain's economic sustainability. With alcohol (and prostitution) Bahrain has welcomed Saudi's and military men with freedoms that are not so easy to get ahold of, in Saudi, or on a navy ship. It's a sleezy side to Bahrain yet they are wealthier for it.
I'm sure they will survive if they ban alcohol (as people) and maybe Bahrainis will be happier for it, but likely with much much less money in their pockets...
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Shame on you Mr Sami
Posted by Saeed at 12:38 UAE time
I am a muslim and I have to say "Same on you" my Sami for making these remarks. The prophet PBUH strictly forbit making such comments on other races and religions adn thier way of life. He preached tolerance for all other religions. People like you are a bad name to the Islam religion. SHAME ON YOU....
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Filth
Posted by Mike D at 11:28 UAE time
What's really FILTHY is the xenophobia, racism, bigotry and self-righteousness in comments like Sami's.
I could go on about how the filthiest people I've seem in Bahrain are the "tourists" who flock across the Causeway every weekend in search of all manner of forbidden pleasures.
But I won't. What I would say is that I an GENUINELY SHOCKED that a respectable publication like Arabian Business does not see fit to edit filthy posts like Sami's.
There seems to be a double standard going on: Arabian Business is rightly sensitive to Arab and Muslim sensibilities when deciding whether or not to publish posts by non-Arabs and non-Muslims.
Unfortunately, what's good for the goose doesn't seem to be good for the gander.
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The arrogance of the Western Expat...
Posted by Quicksmile at 11:25 UAE time
As a fellow Western Expat, I marvel at how arrogant my expat brothers and sisters can be. In the past, they complained about a lack of democracy in the GCC. Bahrain institute a parliament... the parliament table a vote to ban whatever, and a whole lot of western expats cry foul...?
They justify their flawed logic on "most Saudis come over the causeway and indulge..." Firstly, Saudi has a population of almost 30 million... its by far the biggest state in the GCC and to suggest we have even 10% of Saudi's come over is ridiculous! Second, at least half the cars crossing the causeway are non saudi's, people running away from Saudi to come indulge, and thirdly, Saudi banned liquor and it is still by far the biggest economy in the region! In other words, it is an economy built up not on the back of the liquor industry. There are many many western companies there... I don't see them leaving?
The bottom line is... Muslims feel uncomfortable with alcohol being available, Muslims are the vast majority of the citizens in Bahrain, their representatives tabled a motion that works for their constituents... let democracy be... you are all from democratic countries?
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Go for it Bahrain!!
Posted by Joe at 10:38 UAE time
Speaking selfishly as a Dubai resident working in the Hospitality Industry, I say "Go for it Bahrain!". Your loss will be Dubai's gain. Emirates and Saudia would both benefit and could add a few more flights.
I used to live in Bahrain and I had to leave that "rock". Without clubs and the ability to have a drink once in a while I doubt ex-pats will want to stay. And it will be Bahrainis losing most of the jobs. Bahrainis are usually paid more and work less than other ex-pats so Bahrainis will be the first ones let go.
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Filthy?
Posted by Robert at 10:21 UAE time
Sami, I drink a beer, have a glass of GOOD whiskey, enjoy a Mujito very much, and that make me FILTHY? In my country, Holland, a BIG melting pot in terms of religion we have respect for another, something that cannot be said of you. Respect others and they respect you, be disrepectfull and.............
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Posted on Friday, 8 May 2009
Bahrain alcohol ban
Posted by Nigel Smith at 16:28 UAE time
I'm not sure what Sami means by "filthy" but most of us older Westerners who have worked in the Middle East have a continuing respect for other cultures, especially Islam, who for religious reasons choose to ban the drinking of alcohol. However they must recognize that there are a pretty substantial number of their own brethren who go to Bahrain just so they can drink alcoholic beverages.
It all comes down to economics. I'll be very sad not to be able to have a glass of beer after a long days work in the heat.
For those not aware, Americans went through a ban on alcoholic drinks 90 years ago, from 1919 until 1933, Prohibition, which history was to show in many ways actually increased the drinking and badly affected the economy. History will judge Bahrain on the Governments decision.
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Bahrain - democracy at work
Posted by IMB at 14:05 UAE time
Bahrain – your rite, your call, your future....your delusions – good look.
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Proposed alcohol ban in Bahrain
Posted by Azizurrab at 12:33 UAE time
None of the economy in world depends on alcohol sale, if it would have been so, the current recession will never crop up because no one has left drinking. Bahrain government has got a very good opportunity to prove it and I personally welcome the decision and advise the people to support the idea.
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Filthy People
Posted by Frequent Visitor at 10:36 UAE time
Sami,
I am a British businessman who regularly stays in Bahrain for 2-3 weeks at a time and although I enjoy a drink, I am certainly not 'filthy' - I shower at least once every day.
I have visited Saudi, Kuwait and other Gulf countries during Ramadan and respect your beliefs and culture by not drinking then, but I do enjoy watching a live band and having a drink with my dinner after a hard day's work.
If this ban goes through, Bahrain will become a very dull place and will lose the lucrative weekend influx of Saudis.
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Bahrain economy will prosper without alcohol
Posted by sami at 05:58 UAE time
I have a strong feeling that the economy of Bahrain will prosper without alcohol sine bahrain is not dependent on western tourists and majority of visitors are from nighbouring countries who are not interested in the presence of alcohol. Banning alcohol will clean the country from filthy people.
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