A municipal proposal to ban alcohol in areas where families gather is gathering pace, as it is being reviewed by a second government body.
The Muharraq Municipal Council last month voted in favour of the proposed ban on serving liquor in shopping complexes and family leisure areas in the Muharraq Governorate.
It followed reports that alcohol was being served in full view of families and children, citing the case of an outlet in The Lagoon, Amwaj Islands.
Muharraq Municipal Council chairman Ghazi Al Murbati told the GDN yesterday that the proposal has been reviewed by the Works, Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning Ministry, which has forwarded it to the Industry, Commerce and Tourism Ministry as the issue falls under the latter’s purview.
“Let’s be honest, we are a conservative society, it’s not right that we have public places like those,” said Mr Al Murbati.
“Even if they are first class restaurants allowed to sell alcohol, we have a right to uphold our customs and traditions and we do not want those things in our areas.
“If they want to open a first class restaurant that’s fine, but it should not be allowed to sell alcohol.
“We said it was in some places, but all of those places are for families; if I go with my children and my family and I see alcohol being served it would not be acceptable, I don’t think anyone would accept it.”
The council’s legislative, administrative and financial affairs committee chairman Bassem Al Majdami faced public backlash when he presented the proposal last month.
However, he claimed the move was misinterpreted by some people as calling for a blanket ban on all alcohol vendors in Muharraq.
“The proposal does not seek a blanket ban on alcohol, only in places that are family-oriented or where children can see people drinking,” said Mr Al Majdami.
“Otherwise, business can still continue as normal if this (proposal) is passed.
“We will get a response to the proposal within a week and then we shall see about the implementation.”
He added that the proposal also includes a ban on any new investment projects open to the public.
In June 2016, municipal councillors voted to ban new businesses in Muharraq from selling alcohol even if they had been granted “tourist-class” status.
However, this was eventually rejected by the government.
In 2006, the same council’s bid to impose a blanket ban on all alcohol sales in the governorate under an “alcohol-free zone” regulation failed after it was told that existing licences could not be revoked.
The Works, Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning Ministry said at the time that these businesses were operating under existing laws that regulate the tourism industry in the country.
However, councillors managed to impose the decision on the understanding that it did not say anything about not granting licences to new applications for alcohol sales.
ghazi@gdn.com.bh
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