MPs banning alcohol? Not a chance!
30 Apr, 2008 
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MPs demand total ban on alcohol in Bahrain
MPs yesterday unanimously demanded a total ban on alcohol in Bahrain. They voted in favour of a parliament-proposed law banning the import, possession, sale or production of alcohol. But to become law, the proposal would have to be accepted by the government and the Shura Council.
MPs said the current law, initiated in 1956, allowing the import, possession, sale and production of alcohol under government supervision was unconstitutional and should be scrapped.
There is really no reason to panic. Trouncing on personal freedoms is nothing new for this parliament, the one whose job is ironically to do the impossible to protect them. Nor should we expect them even to read the crystal-clear constitution which specifically says:
The religion of the State is Islam. The Islamic Shari’a is a principal source for legislation. The official language is Arabic.
Which means that the Islamic Shari’a is not the exclusive source of legislation – thank God. Because had it been, then those bozos would have knocked us back to the stone ages already, and would have had no qualms about doing so. Their motivation of course is to earn those promised brownie points to tool those promised waiting nymphs in heaven, even at the expense of making hell seem like a better place than the life they want to design for us on Earth.
I’m not sure if I should be thankful for the Shura Council being there which a lot of people regard as the safety valve which would stop such idiotic schemes; I actually wish that it wasn’t there so that these morons would carry on with their schemes so much that people will have to actually rise up against them and kick their hairy butts out of office.
But as we do have the Shura Council whether we like it or not, and I am a bit busy this morning, let me end this quick piece by inviting those 40 morons to kiss my hairy padouka for all I care about them trying to rob what little personal freedoms we do have.
But in the case that they do – for some completely inexplicable reason – get their way and the government does ban alcohol, I will start distilling some good hooch myself and will make it available free to whomever wants, just to spite both!
I disagree, Mahmood. Threats of damnation have worked amongst the religiously superstitious for millennia.
Usually they can be ignored – but the danger comes when those who threaten damnation do so with the weight of direct action on their side. If their God says that they not only can threaten, but kill those who do not believe… Then one should worry.
Unfortunately, that is the core of what the religious establishment in the Middle East wants, and has had intermittently for 1400 years.
Ethan,
I disagree. Threatening people with perpetual hell fire in the afterlife has not worked has it? People still kill each other, steal and rape.
Regardless of what religion you subscribe to it is fair to say that religions overall have not eliminated any of these crimes. Have they? In fact, one could argue that religions have increased it. Religion for example, has had a hand in almost all wars declared by man on his fellow man.
You know it is very interesting reading everones comments on this subject. Mahmood, as you mentioned in the constitution, Bahrain is a muslim state as a muslim state, alchol should not be tollerated. Its funny, because you say that our minds have been conditioned, when you dont actually realise that it is your mind that has been conditioned into the western evolvment of no religion thought. Do you not understand that removing religion is the first and foremost factor that has made the muslim nations weak on the global scale? Being sold out for a few oil barrels, and empty promises of what seems to be a modern and pleasant life style? It is fine that the majority of you are pro alcohol but having said that, please disown the religion as you give the rest of us a bad name. And as you see from the comment above from Byron saying that his american ass and expatriates will leave Bahrain, i fail to see how that is a bad thing? This will result in more jobs being offered to the unemployed Bahraini Nation. And from a non-religion perspective, alcohol is a proven drug, which only has adverse effects. So just because your an addict to this drug, does this mean we should leave the option open for the new younger generation, who are just starting their lives? Should we legalise heroin, cannabis and exstacy while we are at it? You see, if it wasnt for the western thinking which your mind is conditioned to, who say drugs such as cannabis should be illegal while drink is socially acceptable although the effects are proven worse, you would want to legalise all forms of drug use.
Can you substantiate this with examples?
I for one would be interested to see what happens if all the foreigners up and left Bahrain…lol. Would be funny to watch most Bahrainis try and figure out how to do all the things they were previously unable to do as it was beneath them.
As for doing the higher skilled jobs…whats preventing you from getting those jobs now…its well known you get paid less from employers…so if you have the same skills and are routinely paid less…why arent you getting those job now….just wondering.
“Do you not understand that removing religion is the first and foremost factor that has made the muslim nations weak on the global scale?”
Can you substantiate this with examples?
Oh, no, Mahmood; that was the first thing that came to this western mind along with a lot of other not so nice stuff.
Personally, I think our friend is confused; perhaps he might consider the alternative that “Muslim Nations” are weak on a global scale because they are Muslim Nations. OK, OK, I don’t really believe that, but if one can play that game
//And from a non-religion perspective, alcohol is a proven drug, which only has adverse effects. So just because your an addict to this drug, does this mean we should leave the option open for the new younger generation, who are just starting their lives?//
Alcohol is a proven drug you are right .. and that is also true about so many medicines so are you telling me that you are going to ban those medicines as well ? if not then why banning alcohol. I dont drink cause I know its side effects and my capability
. Instead of focusing on banning the alcohol , MPS should focus on Education of the younger generation and give them enough knowledge to enable them to distinguish between good and bad.
Hussain,
I guess Mahmood is waiting for your response. Me too!
Hi Guys, Thanks for your responses to this issue.
I am going to first and foremost address the first issue, which is the fact that the removal of religion has made us weak.
What we need to understand, is that we are living in a world today where the few control the many. We are manipulated in our way of thinking, thanks to the higher agenda. In regards to religion, the western agenda on this one, is not to remove it completely, as this causes the muslims to rebel, but to simply make it detractive, and weaken it. There is a big difference. You dont remove a religon, you make the members choose not to practice, which is what we see today. This is because, if muslims, truely followed their faith, and genuinly believed in their religion, you are talking about a 1.4 billion strong community. Unfortunately, the islamic agenda, and the western agenda do not agree on the globalised market front, so unless we are conditioned to their policies and culture, we are actually a threat due to our strength. If we go back historically, it is only the malpractice of religion which caused the end to the power of the islamic empire.
You see, when you truely believe, this means that you are not seeking the donya, but you are seeking the pleasures of the hereafter. What this means, is that you can not be bribed, you can not be manipulated, and you can not be weakend by the threat of any materialistic effort. The west, can not control the east, whilst this is happening. Instead, capitalism, and materialism, is introduced, to make you fall in love with the material world we live in, which in turn makes you weak, as you are afraid of 2 things, 1) losing your material goods i.e. house, cars etc 2) Actually leaving this world. And more importantly, this love for materialism, has caused us to treat each other in a non-brotherly fashion, and also inspired arrogance within our hearts.
A prime example to your question, i must say, is Israel. 1 small country, with an even smaller population, surrounded by only muslims. Yet, we all sit back and watch the slaughter of innocent palestenians, and on a good day, we may go out and do a protest march. Why? This is because our love for this world, has made us soo weak, that we can not muster enough courage in order to assist our palestenian brothers, instead we sit back and watch as the americans and israelis slaughter our brothers. Now, in this instance, if we had a more proactive islamic state, would we not be able to avert such a situation? On the other hand, the major problem to this issue, is that the wealth and power which is given to our governments, who are your prime example of a non-muslim system, are more interested in maintaing power then to act according to our religion. What this has resulted in, is western military bases in all our countries in the mid east. Does this make you strong? If they dont like you tomorow, and want to get rid of you, do you even have a fighting chance? You dont even have an official army, its a joke! So what does this mean? As long as we play by their rules (western agenda) we are safe, if we play by our rules, we are finished.
Oil is a resource which is used in order to make us weak by keeping us happy and satisfied materialistaly to make us weaker spiritually and keep as at bay. The islamic nation or shall we just say the Arab nation, used to be warriors, today they are mice. For eg. Saddam invasion of Kuwait, the Kuwaiti army were no where to be seen. We only know how to abuse and torture our own people who are weaker, but not able to do anything on a global scale. We kick people who are down. This is not how an islamic state should be.
What we need to all recognise, if we go back to our basics, see each other us brothers, and stand together, then no system can hold us down. this is because the system relise on you not realising that they need you more than you need them.
Unfortunately, as muslims, we only take the negative aspects of western influence, and non of the positive. We are more than capable to start our own manufacturing industry, take care of our own economics, and be a thriving nation. We are not allowed to do this though, because we must be manipulated and under the control of the Global Government. Imagine, making your own cars instead of importing? Making your own Tvs etc. You have a large enough market, and will create ample jobs therefore reduce unemployment in a significant manner.
By the way, there are more than enough qualified labour forces in our countries to do higher skilled jobs. The problem is this continuous western manipulated mindset, which is even more sad, because we ourselves think that westerners are better than us, and smarter then us therefore they deserve the job and not us. And if you bahrainis and arabs agree to this, then this is indeed a sad day for all of us, and a prime example as to why we have become weak.
In regards to alchol and medicine. How can you compare the 2? I dont think i really need to get into it, as it is quite obviouse.
Is it only me or does anyone readying the above comment get a huge big neon flashing sign saying “CONSPIRACY THEORY RULES”?
Hussain, I think I can take every single sentence you provided and give you many examples of why and how you are wrong. I’m not going to do that now but just to remind you of my basic question which you have not answered yet:
Next, I am really intrigued by your statement:
Which I take to mean that we should just strap on the latest model of an explosive belt coupled with a nicely coloured bandana around our head and go to a central market and press the button?
Hussain. I urge you to reconsider your fast-held beliefs, especially in interpreting them in the way that you have which suggests that the world is just black and white, your way or the highway and that everyone in the world is steadfastly against you.
Hussain,
I am in danger of triggering Mahmood into critising me for not debating but for only being sarcastic but I can not help it. I will take the risk.
There is nothing in your response that deserves a response. Nothing. You have not even answered Mahmood’s question.
To help you in your deliberations and to get a view from the opposing camp, which I certainly advise you to do, you may find it useful to read an article by Andrew Stunich entitled; Islam Caused Islamic World’s Decline on the following link;
http://www.islam-watch.org/Stunich/Islam-Caused-Islamic-World-Decline.htm
Dood luck.
Hussain,
There are several things that strike me about your response; the first one is that you seem genuine in your response in the care the care and time you choose to present it. I would agree with some of the generalities you have talked about, but my overall response is WOW and too wonder about your age and exposure to this global experience you talk about.
“What we need to all recognise, if we go back to our basics, see each other us brothers, and stand together, then no system can hold us down. this is because the system relise on you not realising that they need you more than you need them.”
Well there is alot to say about the system including your own and the learned scholars who are not above breaking the rules to sell something to make a buck or gain more control. Rather your statement reminds me more about the civil rights movement here in America. Americans supported it because they saw black people as Americans; you seem to have this Muslim against the world mentality being stomped on but just let us get our shot and will stomp all over “them”. Sorry, your version of the Muslim religion/world just lost my vote.
Hang in there and keep THINKING and engaging people…all peoples.
I thought this discussion was about interdicting alcohol in Bahrain. I guess this discussion has advanced quite impressively. At the end of the day i guess all discussions come down to religion.
The removal of religion HAS NOT MADE US WEAK! People die everyday effing day cause they believe that their religion is the right one. Sadly, it has created a divide in a tiny nation like bahrain.
Now lets get back to discussing alcohol.
haha
If we don’t step up for our freedoms, even the freedoms we do not exercise, then tomorrow they will step all over the freedoms that I do exercise and no one will stand up for me.
Banning alcohol would hurt Bahrain economically since Bahrain has a reputation of being one of the more liberal countries in the region. Banning alcohol would lead to an exodus of expats from Bahrain, and a huge decrease in tourism (Saudi’s etc. . .). With our limited supply of oil, we are need of this variation in the country’s income in the long run.
I TOTALLY AGREE WITH H AND MAHMOOD I SOLUTE YOU !!
If banning alcohol, enforcing religion and suppressing freedoms in the name of religion would actually make us happy, then why aren’t Saudi’s happier than Bahraini’s?. The myth that suggests that happiness correlates with religion (as in the more religious the people, the happier they are) have been busted since forever. We have to look around us and understand that we are not a bunch of goat herders living in medieval times, we now live in a global world, where nations interact with each other and people from all around the world travel all over.
We cannot ban them from exercising their rights, and then expect them to give us freedom to do what we wish to practice from religious and cultural activities that might collide with their beliefs.
I currently live in Australia, and I have the right to practice my religion and my cultural and personal freedom are granted to me without questioning. How can we enforce a law that limits the rights of most of the people in the world when they visit our country and then expect them to grant us our freedoms in their countries. As an example, if we don’t allow them to consume alcohol here, why should they let us build the mosque in their countries, consume Halal food in their countries? why should they allow us to take days off work for Eid or Hajj if we ask for a work leave under religious occasions.
Enforcing religion comes from the heart, if a person refrains from an activity from his heart, then that is faith, but if a person wishes to consume alcohol, but cant find it, well, (Ina al a3mal belneyat).
if they getting 78 Drunk while on the wheels…That does not mean That an AVG of 2 guys driving Under the Influnce (DUI)
Are They getting everyone that is driving?…
I good Range estimate is about 20 to 200 Times that Number
So More Like
1520 15200 Per Month
50.67 506.67 Per Day
Roughly a Minimum of .025% Get into accidents
38.00 accidents / Month From DUI
1.27 …Per day
U do not need to sample
I totaly Agree ANN
Very True…
So how would explain Da Realtive Pay In Saudi
English Get less then Americans
Aussies Less then Americans
+ English Less then Aussies
Does that Mean When Americans Leave the english to a Job…they wont know what to do?
Thanks you
I Like this very much
It’s because while U are Busy with all these things.
We get take Bahraini Jobs…and soon your Job Ann…not only here…
London as well…
or is it that u are here Cause Raj took yours from Birmingham?
I guess its ok to take 3 to 4 times the salary as an exact quilfied Bahraini…or…1/4^2= 1/16 to an indian…but hay…U know walking out of JJ’s that late w/ that much boz in your blood…they are more skilled driving you home..U should pay 4 times “Justice is served”
In Bahrain We have Taxes…Taxis collect.
U know when u walk out that Joint (JJ’s)…You go Tax…
Da Tax Man is right there.
and Yes the other form of tax is Bombay Mix Tax…
They Mix you up with idiots talk to the point u give up.
Well…They tax u English for da stuff that happened there…+They Tax Bahrainis Da same way for getting da 4:1 Pay..so wake up Brother!!
Very Funny People here Mahmood