Shoppers could be fined from walking the streets in figure-hugging attire or scantily dressed as Bahraini politicians look to introduce a ‘decency code’ to prevent men and women wearing what they consider to be ‘improper and provocative clothing’.
Parliament’s foreign affairs, defence and national security committee placed the proposed legislation on hold for the past two years following a public backlash that it was too strict.
However, newly-elected MPs will have to vote on the matter following National Elections later this year.
Al Asala Parliamentary and Municipal Bloc, which is behind the proposal, highlighted a recent incident in which ‘young women in tight clothes’ were seen dancing to music in the Old Manama Suq.
“A few days ago, five expatriate females were filmed dancing around a public market in tight clothes,” said bloc president and Parliament’s services committee chairman MP Ahmed Al Ansari. “It was appalling.”
He told the GDN that the bill was drawn up following complaints from locals about a prevalent and public disrespect to the country’s religious and traditional values.
He said the proposed rules would require people to abide by the same dress code currently required to attend official functions, attending government ministries, or places of worship.
“Bahrainis and expats have been complaining about the indecent attitude of several individuals who want to turn the street into their own bedrooms,” he added.
“Fines for public indecency are set at BD20, but it will be left to the new Parliament to decide if that is enough to properly punish culprits or deter wrongdoing.”
He said the bill does not aim to force women and men to cover up, but to introduce an acceptable form of attire and behaviour in public places.
“No, we don’t want women covering up, or wearing veils, nor do we want men to stop wearing shorts or unbuttoning their shirts,” he said. “It is more about what is acceptable and what is not.
“For example, shorts, tights or a sports bra for females should only be worn inside sports facilities and not on a public walkway, garden or park, or while shopping in a mall or suq.
Provocative
“While, males shouldn’t reveal flesh in a scandalous manner such as only having one button of a shirt closed, or wearing shorts that seem like underwear.”
Malls and shopping centres have already introduced their own sets of ‘dress code rules’ that prevent any individual from entry if they are considered to be wearing ‘inappropriate clothing’.
The GDN earlier reported that signs had been erected at beachfronts urging bathers and joggers not to wear provocative clothes while visiting municipal facilities.
The same bloc last year presented a proposal for a nationwide crackdown on ‘indecent’ advertisements on roads and highways.
The proposal aimed at combating what members claimed were provocative images that exploited women.
Parliament’s public utilities and environment affairs committee chairman Khalid Bu Onk backed the move, saying that matters had spiralled out control lately under the guise of ‘freedom of expression’.
“Dancing, Zumba or Samba, whatever falls under the category of exercise and dance should be performed inside a closed gym, hall or studio and not out in the open, as was the case in the central market,” he said.
“Things have got out of control in Bahrain with men and women barely wearing anything showing up on the streets. It is good that some malls have taken measures to ban entry, but some men just unbutton their shirts and women remove their bras once they enter.
“I think a BD20 fine is too low, it should be higher. The fine should match the offence and be around BD50 to BD300.”
A current female MP, who asked not to be named in the run up for re-election for fear of being targeted for her views, backed the idea but stated it shouldn’t lead to the emergence of religious community police.
“Let’s be honest, there are many men and women who just disrespect this country’s values and traditions by walking around semi-naked or wearing tight or transparent clothes,” she said.
“What is right or wrong should be objective and not subjective, however. Does it mean police should go around slapping fines on people for wearing leggings, mini-skirts or shorts and where and when should the stricter rules apply?
“The matter needs careful consideration but I have sympathy with those who suggest things have got a little out of hand.”
The video, at the centre of the controversy, now circulating on social media, show teenage students of a dance academy performing a routine in Manama Suq amongst the market stalls.
mohammed@gdnmedia.bh
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