Allah's Vision: Bahrain And Beyond

Bahrain is a small island nation in the Persian Gulf, bordering Saudi Arabia to its west and Qatar to its east. It is a predominantly Muslim country, with 94% of its population practising Islam. The country is, however, markedly more liberal than its neighbours, with relaxed rules and customs when it comes to religious beliefs.

Bahrain has a reputation for being a decadent hotspot for Saudis, with nightclubs, alcohol, and prostitution. However, this is not a recent phenomenon. Bahrain has long been known as a place where Muslims from the Gulf states can enjoy a break from their more rigid societies.

A common belief among Muslims is that Allah cannot see into Bahrain, or that a black cloud hangs over Bahrain that Allah cannot see through. This belief has led to the misconception that alcohol is allowed in Bahrain, when in fact, it is prohibited in most Muslim countries.

While Bahrain is more liberal than its neighbours, it is not without its problems. The country has experienced serious challenges due to a lack of full democracy and sectarian tensions between the Sunni ruling elites and the majority Shia population.

Bahrain's relaxed Islamic laws

Bahrain is a predominantly Muslim country that gained full independence from Britain in 1971. Its legal system draws from English common law, codified systems, and Islamic law. The country's constitution, adopted in 1973, states that "Bahrain is an Arab Islamic State" and affirms Islam as the official religion, with sharia law as the main source of legislation.

While Bahrain's laws adhere to Sharia, the Islamic system of law, the country is considered to have a relatively relaxed and friendly culture compared to other Muslim countries in the region. This is partly due to its long exposure to the British legal system and influence from expatriates and tourists.

• Alcohol Consumption: Non-Muslims are allowed to purchase and consume alcohol in licensed establishments. While public drunkenness may lead to fines and detentions, the sale and consumption of alcohol are not prohibited as strictly as in some other Muslim countries.
• Dress Code: Although modesty is encouraged to avoid offending local beliefs, the dress code in Bahrain is relatively relaxed. Women are advised against wearing tight or revealing clothes but are not required to cover their heads when outside, unlike in some other Muslim countries.
• Entertainment: Bahrain has a more vibrant entertainment scene compared to its neighbouring countries. It is often referred to as the "Las Vegas of the Middle East", with casinos and a lively nightlife.
• Religious Freedom: The Bahraini constitution guarantees freedom of conscience and the freedom to perform religious rites. While Islam is the official religion, the country accommodates followers of other faiths and allows non-Muslim residents to practice their religious rites and build places of worship.
• Social Norms: Bahrain is known for its relatively liberal social norms, especially when compared to its neighbouring countries. Unmarried couples living together, for example, is not uncommon, although it is not officially permitted.

However, it is important to note that there are still strict laws in Bahrain, particularly regarding certain crimes. These include apostasy, murder, adultery, homosexuality, theft, and sex outside of marriage, which are considered serious offenses. Additionally, the country has faced criticism for its treatment of Shia Muslims, who make up a majority of the citizen population but have faced discrimination in various sectors.

Alcohol consumption in Bahrain

The Bahrain alcoholic beverages market was valued at $25,580 thousand in 2018 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 2.5% to reach $30,405 thousand by 2025. This growth is attributed to factors such as high disposable income, an increasing number of distribution channels (bars, cafes, restaurants), and a surge in demand for premium products. However, the high cost of premium/super-premium products and a growing preference for non-alcoholic beverages due to health concerns are expected to restrict market growth.

The market is segmented based on type and distribution channel. Based on type, the market includes beer, distilled spirits, wine, and others. Distilled spirits are particularly popular among the younger population and are characterised by unique tastes and experiences. The "others" segment includes alcoholic beverages with low alcohol content, preferred by those who are less fond of alcohol.

Based on distribution channels, liquor stores dominated the market in 2017, owing to the increased demand for alcoholic beverages and the availability of well-known brands at various price points. However, the internet retailing segment is anticipated to grow the fastest during the forecast period due to increased internet penetration, high spending potential, improved transport logistics networks, and a surge in tech-savvy youth in Bahrain.

While alcohol is legal in Bahrain, there are strict laws against drunken behaviour in public and driving under the influence. Such offences can result in fines, imprisonment, deportation, and the withdrawal of driving licenses.

Prostitution in Bahrain

Prostitution is common in Manama, with most of it taking place in bars and hotels. Some prostitutes, mainly Russian, solicit customers in malls, and there is also some street prostitution. Most prostitutes in Bahrain are foreign nationals, including Russians, Thais, Filipinos, Ethiopians, Bangladeshis, Chinese and South Koreans. Each hotel or bar tends to have one nationality of prostitutes. In some cases, women knock on guests' doors late at night in hotels, looking for customers.

Many of the customers are Saudis, who drive to Bahrain where laws are less strict than in their homeland, particularly concerning sex and alcohol. In 2009, Manama was ranked 8th in the top 10 "sin cities" of the world by AskMen magazine, which led to a crackdown where 300 prostitutes and pimps were arrested in the first week.

Prostitution is addressed in the Bahrain Criminal Code, with various articles prohibiting related activities and imposing penalties, including imprisonment and fines. The country's Aliens Act also allows immigration officials to deny entry to individuals convicted of prostitution elsewhere, as well as on unspecified "health reasons".

Prostitution has a long history in Bahrain, dating back to the post-World War I era when many foreign workers, particularly from Persia, Iraq and India, entered the country, fuelling the demand for prostitution. There were designated areas for brothels in Gulba, west Manama, and Muharraq, where both male and female prostitutes worked. After independence from Britain in 1971, British citizens could enter Bahrain without a visa for three months, leading to some British prostitutes working in the country for short periods.

The opening of the Saudi causeway in 1986 further increased the demand for prostitution, as many Saudis visited Bahrain due to its more relaxed attitude towards sex and alcohol. Over the years, prostitutes of different nationalities have come to Bahrain, including Filipinos, Sri Lankans, Russians, and Bosnians.

Bahrain is a destination country for women subjected to sex trafficking, with victims coming from Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, the Philippines, Nepal, Egypt, Jordan, Yemen, Thailand, Syria, and Kenya. The country has taken some steps to combat sex trafficking, with the government convicting 17 sex traffickers in 2015 and imposing prison terms, fines, and deportations. However, there are still concerns about the effectiveness of these measures, with some cases remaining unresolved and allegations of government officials' involvement in human trafficking.

The country's reputation as a decadent hotspot

Bahrain has gained a reputation as a decadent hotspot, particularly for Saudis seeking a break from the strict social rules of their homeland.

The country has been described as the "ultimate escape valve" and the "Las Vegas of the Middle East". It is a place where Saudis can drink alcohol, attend concerts, and swim in resort pools with friends—all forbidden activities in their own country.

This reputation is due in part to Bahrain's more relaxed attitude towards Islamic law. While Bahrain is a predominantly Muslim country, it does not enforce Islamic law on visitors or residents. This has made it a popular destination for Saudis seeking to indulge in activities that are banned in their own country, such as drinking alcohol and visiting nightclubs.

The country's reputation is also enhanced by its proximity to Saudi Arabia. The King Fahd Causeway, which connects the two countries, is just a few minutes' drive from the Persian Gulf port of Dammam and about five hours from Riyadh, the Saudi capital. This convenient location makes it easy for Saudis to cross the border and take advantage of Bahrain's more permissive social atmosphere.

In addition to its nightlife and entertainment offerings, Bahrain has also been associated with human trafficking and the sex trade. There have been reports of women, particularly from Russia, being lured to the country with false promises of jobs in the hospitality industry, only to find themselves forced into prostitution.

The combination of these factors has contributed to Bahrain's reputation as a decadent and indulgent destination for those seeking to escape the restrictions of their own countries, particularly in the case of its neighbour, Saudi Arabia.

The country's diverse population

Bahrain's population includes descendants of Africans, primarily from East Africa and mostly of the Sunni faith; Lurs, Achomis, and other groups following the Shia faith; indigenous inhabitants, who are predominantly Shia; Indians who traded and settled before the age of oil; and Jews, most of whom are of Mesopotamian and Persian descent and have lived in Bahrain for centuries. The country also has Sunni Arabs from Persia, Bahraini Sunni Arabs, and urbanised Sunnis of Bedouin ancestry.

Non-nationals make up over half of Bahrain's population, with immigrants constituting about 52.6%. Of these, the majority are from South and Southeast Asia. As of 2020, there were roughly 350,000 Indians, 150,000 Bangladeshis, 110,000 Pakistanis, 40,000 Filipinos, and 8,000 Indonesians. Additionally, about 4,000 to 8,000 people from the United Kingdom live in Bahrain.

Bahrain's population is diverse in terms of religious affiliations. While Islam is the official religion, with 74% of the population being Muslim, there are also significant Christian and Jewish communities. As of 2022, about 12% of the population was Christian, and there were around 40 Jewish citizens. Foreigners, mostly from South Asia and other Arab countries, made up 52.6% of the population in 2020, with 50.9% of them being Muslim and the rest following other religions, including Christianity, Hinduism, Buddhism, Baháʼí, and Sikhism.

Arabic is the official language of Bahrain, but English is widely spoken and taught in schools as a compulsory second language. Other languages spoken include Persian, Urdu, Hindi, and Tagalog, reflecting the diverse origins of the expatriate population.

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