Conversion In Bahrain: A Legal Grey Area?

Bahrain is an Islamic country with laws based on the teachings of the Quran. One such law is that it is forbidden to try to convert a Muslim to another religion. Non-Muslim visitors should be aware that open displays of non-Muslim beliefs can be seen as offensive and should be avoided. The import of religious material can also be questioned and seen as suspicious. Other religions are respected in Bahrain and can be freely practised by the expatriate community.

Converting Muslims to another religion is forbidden

Bahrain is an Islamic country and its laws are based on the teachings of the Quran. One of the laws of the country is that it is forbidden to try and convert a Muslim to another religion. This means that attempting to convert a Muslim to another religion is illegal in Bahrain. Visitors who are non-Muslim should be aware that this law is actively enforced and open displays of non-Muslim beliefs can be seen as offensive in the eyes of Bahrainis and should therefore be avoided.

Islamic Religious Values in Bahrain

Islamic religious values are greatly respected in Bahrain. Showing any disrespect towards religious beliefs or practices is considered deeply offensive and is very likely to result in a heavy fine and/or imprisonment. Other religions are respected in Bahrain and can be followed with freedom, but non-Muslim visitors should be aware that attempting to convert Muslims to their own religion is forbidden and will be punished.

Cultural Sensitivity in Bahrain

Bahrain is a relatively liberal country compared to its neighbours in the region, but many Bahrainis hold conservative social views. Visitors and expatriates are expected to respect local traditions, customs, laws and religions at all times and be aware of their actions to ensure that they do not offend, especially during the holy month of Ramadan and Shia religious festivals. Bahrainis observe some religious anniversaries that may not be celebrated in neighbouring Gulf countries.

Laws and Customs in Bahrain

Bahrain has a number of laws and customs that apply to visitors, some of which may be overlooked by travellers. It is important to be aware of these laws and customs to protect your own personal safety. For example, it is forbidden to bring drugs into the country or to drink alcohol and drive. Stealing is considered a major crime in Bahrain and there are very strict penalties for drug offences. Homosexuality is considered an offence in Bahrain and public displays of affection such as hugging and kissing are likely to offend local people.

Non-Muslim visitors should avoid open displays of their religious beliefs

As an Islamic country, Bahrain has a number of laws based on the teachings of the Quran. One such law is that it is forbidden to try to convert a Muslim to another religion. Non-Muslim visitors should be aware that open displays of non-Muslim religious beliefs can be seen as offensive and should therefore be avoided. This includes the import of religious material, which may be seen as suspicious.

Bahrain is a liberal country compared to its neighbours, but many Bahrainis hold conservative social views. Visitors should be mindful of this and respect local traditions, customs, laws, and religions at all times. This is especially important during the holy month of Ramadan and Shia religious festivals. While other religions are respected in Bahrain and can be freely practised by the expatriate community, non-Muslim visitors should be cautious about how they express their beliefs.

Islamic religious values are highly respected in Bahrain, and showing any disrespect towards religious beliefs or practices is considered deeply offensive and may result in heavy fines and/or imprisonment. Visitors should be aware that Bahrainis dress conservatively in traditional attire and may take offence at people dressing inappropriately or not in accordance with Islamic values. Clothing that is transparent, exposes the body indecently, or displays offensive pictures or slogans is not acceptable. During the month of Ramadan, these rules are even more strictly observed.

In addition to dress codes, there are other cultural norms that non-Muslim visitors should be mindful of. For example, public displays of affection, such as hugging and kissing, are likely to offend local people. Homosexuality is considered an offence in Bahrain. It is also important to be cautious when taking photographs, especially of people, as this can be seen as disrespectful.

The import of religious material may be questioned

Bahrain is an Islamic country, and its laws are based on the teachings of the Quran. One such law is that it is forbidden to try to convert a Muslim to another religion. Non-Muslims should be aware that open displays of non-Muslim beliefs can be seen as offensive to Bahrainis and should be avoided.

The import of religious material can be questioned and seen as suspicious. This is because the government prohibits anti-Islamic publications and mandates imprisonment for "exposing the state's official religion to offence and criticism". The law also prohibits publications and broadcast media programs that violate the fundamentals of Islam, undermine national unity, or promote division and sectarianism. It is also a crime to mock or disdain a religious group.

Islamic religious groups must register with the Ministry of Justice, Islamic Affairs, and Endowments (MOJIA) to operate. Non-Islamic religious groups must register with and receive a license from the Ministry of Social Development (MOSD) as a civil society organization in order to operate.

The Ministry of Information Affairs determines which materials are governed by the law prohibiting anti-Islamic publications. The Ministry of Education (MOE) also needs to approve religious groups if the public education curriculum is involved.

The government does not permit publications that it perceives as criticising Islam or other religions. The Ministry of Information Affairs reviews all books and publications before issuing printing licenses, and the MOJIA reviews books that discuss religion.

Examples of restrictions on religious material

• In May 2023, a criminal court sentenced three members of the Al Tajdeed Society (Shia) to one year in prison for undermining Islamic values. The case was filed by the MOSD and several Shia clerics, who alleged that the group was "misinterpreting" the Quran.
• In February 2023, two leaders and one member of the Al Tajdeed Society were arrested due to videos they posted on YouTube in which they discussed and questioned some tenets of Islam. They were charged with insulting religious texts and "violating the foundations of Islam".
• In May 2023, the MOE undertook an initiative to eliminate antisemitic language and language critical of Israel from textbooks used in K-12 curricula. This included the removal of content on the Israel-Palestinian conflict and the "Jerusalem Poem" from a grade six Arabic language textbook.

Non-Islamic dress can be considered offensive

While Bahrain is considered one of the most tolerant countries in the region, it is still an Islamic country, and there are dress standards that tourists and residents are expected to observe. Non-Muslim visitors are not required to dress in traditional Islamic clothing, but they should be mindful of dressing modestly and conservatively when in public, especially in religious sites. This is to show respect for the country's Islamic culture and values.

In general, women should wear clothes that cover their shoulders and knees, and it is recommended to carry a scarf to cover their hair if needed. Men should wear long trousers instead of shorts. These guidelines apply to places like souqs, central markets, and villages, as well as religious sites such as mosques. In private spaces like resorts and beaches, the dress code is more relaxed, and swimwear is allowed.

It is important to note that Bahrainis can be offended when people dress inappropriately or not in accordance with Islamic values. Clothing that is transparent, indecently exposes parts of the body, or displays offensive pictures or slogans may not be acceptable and can result in being asked to leave certain public places. Any form of nudity, including topless sunbathing, is strictly forbidden.

During the holy month of Ramadan, modesty is promoted, and these dress guidelines are followed more closely. It is also important to respect religious beliefs and practices during this time, as showing any disrespect is considered deeply offensive and can result in fines and/or imprisonment.

While non-Islamic dress is not explicitly mentioned as offensive, adhering to conservative and modest dress standards is essential to avoid causing offence and to respect the cultural and religious values of Bahrain.

Other religions are respected and can be followed

While Bahrain is an Islamic country and its laws are based on the teachings of the Quran, other religions are respected and can be freely followed. However, it is forbidden to try to convert a Muslim to another religion, and non-Muslim visitors should be aware that open displays of non-Muslim religious beliefs can be seen as offensive. The import of religious material may also be questioned and viewed with suspicion.

Bahrain is considered a liberal country compared to its regional neighbours, but many Bahrainis hold conservative social views. Visitors and expatriates are expected to respect local traditions, customs, laws, and religions at all times, especially during the holy month of Ramadan and Shia religious festivals. Islamic religious values are highly respected in Bahrain, and any disrespect towards religious beliefs or practices is considered deeply offensive and may result in heavy fines and/or imprisonment.

Bahrainis are known for their friendliness and tolerance towards visitors, but it is important to respect their culture and values. The laws in Bahrain are designed to ensure that everyone, regardless of their faith and nationality, respects each other. Visitors and residents should avoid conduct or behaviour that might be perceived as breaching these norms, as it may lead to prosecution resulting in fines, imprisonment, or deportation.

While Bahrain does not criminalise same-sex activity between consenting adults over the age of 21, sodomy is illegal, and there have been reported cases of individuals being punished for homosexual behaviour. Additionally, public displays of affection, such as kissing and hugging, are generally not tolerated and are considered offences against public decency.

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