Exploring Bahrain's Conservative Culture: A Social Overview

Bahrain is a small island country in West Asia with a population of around 1.5 million people. It is a semi-constitutional monarchy with a long history of outside influence, from the ancient Dilmun civilisation to the Portuguese Empire and Persian rule. Today, Bahrain is a high-income economy, known for its banking and tourism sectors.

Bahrain is a conservative society, with most women expected to cover their heads and arms in public. The media is tightly controlled and pro-government, and there are issues relating to women's rights and human rights more broadly. However, Bahrain is considered more liberal than many of its regional neighbours, with a degree of tolerance for different lifestyles and beliefs. Same-sex relations between adults over 21 are not criminalised, and alcohol is available in certain areas.

Bahrain's political opposition

Bahrain is a small island country in West Asia, situated in the Persian Gulf between Qatar and Saudi Arabia. It is a semi-constitutional monarchy, with a bicameral National Assembly and a king who enjoys wide-ranging executive powers.

Bahrain is a conservative country with Islam as its state religion. While homosexuality is legal and alcohol is tolerated in certain areas, the country has been criticised for human rights violations and the repression of political opposition.

In terms of political opposition, Bahrain has a unique system where political parties are illegal but operate as de facto parties under the term "political societies", which range from the communist left to the Islamist right. These societies include both pro-government parties and opposition groups.

One of the most prominent opposition groups was al-Wefaq, a Shia Islamist movement that once held nearly half of the 40 available parliamentary seats. However, in 2011, during the Arab Spring-inspired protests, al-Wefaq was banned from taking part in elections and its leader, Sheikh Ali Salman, was jailed. The group has since been disbanded by the government, and its members have been barred from participating in politics.

Other opposition groups include the National Democratic Action Society (Wa'ad), a secular-left party that was dissolved by the government in 2017, and the February 14 Youth Coalition, an unlicensed opposition group.

The 2011 uprising in Bahrain, which was mainly led by Shia demonstrators, resulted in a bloody crackdown by the Sunni monarchy. The government's response included conducting thousands of arrests, torture, and the use of overly broad definitions of terrorism to detain protesters and convict opposition leaders.

Despite the repression, some smaller opposition-linked groups are still able to operate legally, albeit with restrictions. However, the overall trend has been a turn towards greater repression and political exclusion in Bahrain.

Women's rights

Women in Bahrain are provided with freedoms in every aspect of their lives, and their personal liberties are respected by the laws of Bahrain and Bahraini society in general. Bahraini women have opportunities in all positions and industries, and the country was the first Gulf state to have women in high government rankings and roles, such as ministers and ambassadors. Bahraini women were also the first in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) to gain the right to vote and stand in national elections.

However, there are still areas where women's rights in Bahrain are lacking. While the secular part of Bahraini law advances women, the religious part, which includes Sharia law, holds them back. For example, there are no laws in Bahrain to protect women against domestic violence, and in Islamic court, a woman's testimony is worth half of a man's. While women have the right to vote and stand in elections, they are underrepresented in decision-making positions.

Bahrain has a complicated combination of religious and secular law, which stops many gender discrimination reforms from reaching their full potential. Nevertheless, the country's relatively liberal interpretation of Islamic law and openness to equality leave hope for the continued advancement of women's rights.

LGBTQ+ rights

Bahrain is a small island country in West Asia, situated between Qatar and Saudi Arabia. It is a semi-constitutional monarchy with a population of around 1.5 million, most of whom are Muslim. While same-sex sexual activity was decriminalised in 1976, and the country is relatively liberal compared to its neighbours, LGBTQ+ people in Bahrain still face unique legal challenges and discrimination.

Laws and Enforcement

Bahrain's Penal Code, enacted in 1976, does not prohibit private, non-commercial acts of homosexuality between consenting adults. However, authorities have used vague provisions against "indecency" and "immorality" to target sexual and gender minorities. While there is no explicit ban on same-sex relations, several parts of the penal code can be used to target LGBTQ+ people. For example, Article 350 of the Penal Code prohibits any sort of public indecency, and the punishment for those "imitating the opposite sex" can reach up to a year in prison.

In 2021, members of parliament proposed a bill to amend the penal code, including renaming one of its chapters "Debauchery, Prostitution, and Perversion", and adding articles that would criminalise raising LGBTQ+ flags, promoting LGBTQ+ ideas and beliefs, and attending LGBTQ+ gatherings. The bill would also introduce a fine of 3,000-5,000 dinars and up to five years' imprisonment for these offences.

In 2023, members of the Al Menbar parliamentary bloc called for a harsher crackdown on same-sex sexual acts, and the government was asked to conduct an official study into how to best combat them. In response, the Interior Minister said that "suspected" homosexuals were banned from entering Bahrain, and that salons and spas, where many male homosexuals work, were often inspected.

In 2024, several people were reportedly arrested from a local bar on claims of "immorality".

Social Attitudes

Bahrain is a conservative society, and LGBTQ+ individuals face entrenched social stigma and conservative views. In 2023, a member of the Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Sonya Janahi, spoke out against the acceptance of homosexuality, stating that it conflicted with Islamic and societal values. She urged regional governments to form a unified stance and claimed that around 50% of the member countries in the Arab League oppose homosexuality.

A 2011 World Values Survey found that 42% of Bahraini people believed that "homosexuality is never justified", and 18% said that they "would not like to have homosexuals as neighbours". While these figures are relatively low compared to other Arab countries and the world average, they still indicate a level of resistance towards LGBTQ+ rights in Bahrain.

Gender Recognition and Expression

Changing legal gender in Bahrain is possible but very limited. Courts have, on rare occasions, approved the issuance of new legal documents for those who have undergone gender reassignment surgeries, but these cases are assessed in accordance with Islamic understandings of sex and gender. Non-binary, intersex, or gender non-conforming options are not available.

Article 324 of the penal code prohibits "fojoor", which can be translated as 'immorality', and has been used to crack down on men who wear women's clothing in public. Several people have been arrested and sentenced to prison terms for wearing the opposite gender's clothing.

Discrimination and Protection

There are no laws that prohibit discrimination on the grounds of gender identity or sexual orientation in Bahrain. The state offers no protection from discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or sex characteristics.

In 2023, the US Department of State reported that discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity occurred, and that there were no approved LGBTQ+-related organisations in the country.

Same-Sex Marriage and Adoption

Same-sex marriage is banned in Bahrain, and there is no legal recognition of same-sex relationships. According to The National Personal Status Law (2017), which regulates marriage for Bahraini Muslims, marriage is defined as a contract between a man and a woman.

Same-sex adoption is also illegal, as adoption is not possible in Bahrain, regardless of sexual orientation.

LGBTQ+ Organisations and Protests

The formation of community groups or associations for support or promotion of LGBTQ+ rights in Bahrain faces legal and social barriers. The government body that controls the registration of associations may deny registration if it judges that an organisation's aims are contrary to morality or the maintenance of public order.

In 2023, reports emerged that a planned "peaceful protest" by the LGBTQ+ community of Bahrain was shut down after Islamist MP Mohammed Al-Hussaini incited against it. The owner of the related subreddit was reportedly arrested and outed in front of their mother by the police.

Alcohol consumption

Alcohol is available for purchase in special stores, such as restaurants, pubs, and clubs, and certain shops. However, it is not sold in supermarkets or cold stores. Some lounges and restaurants also offer alcohol, and there is even a drive-thru option available.

Bahrain's relatively liberal alcohol laws set it apart from some of its neighbouring countries, making it a popular destination for expatriates who wish to consume alcohol. Despite this relative liberalism, Bahraini society itself is considered quite conservative, although it is generally tolerant of people with different lifestyles, as long as the laws and customs are respected.

Dress code

Bahrain is a conservative Muslim country and has expectations about clothing that visitors should be mindful of. However, it is also considered one of the most tolerant countries in the Middle East when it comes to dress code. While there is no specific dress code, the general rule is to dress modestly when in public.

Women are expected to cover their hair with a headscarf and their bodies with long, loose-fitting clothing. This includes covering the shoulders, arms, and legs. Clothes should not be tight or revealing. In some places, such as the Al Fateh Grand Mosque, women are required to cover themselves completely, from head to toe, in loose-fitting clothing. In other traditional and public areas, such as souqs and shopping centres, the dress code is less strict. Women can wear skirts and shorts, but these should not be too short or revealing. Leggings can be worn underneath. Ordinary T-shirts or blouses are acceptable, but nothing with a low neckline or that reveals the midriff. Spaghetti straps and boob tube-style tops are not allowed.

Men are expected to wear long trousers and cover their shoulders and legs. Shorts are generally not allowed, except at beaches and hotel resorts. Sleeveless tops are also not permitted. Men should also avoid wearing speedos at the beach.

Frequently asked questions