Bahrain’s underground tattoo trade may soon find out that operating illegal studios will have even more obstacles put in place to deter the practice.
Municipal officials are pushing for new legislation to combat what they describe as a ‘growing’ illegal sector that threatens both public health and cultural values.
Southern Municipal Council chairman Abdulla Abdullatif is spearheading the move, calling for a crackdown on parlours, stricter customs checks on imported tattoo equipment and inks, and closer enforcement to track down underground tattooists operating from their homes.
“Tattoo inking is illegal in Bahrain and no licences are issued for tattoo parlours,” Mr Abdullatif told the Gulf Daily News. “Despite this, we have seen a rise in clandestine operations – sometimes hidden inside salons, hairdressers, and even residential apartments.
“It is feared that some of these so-called artists are offering tattoo services in unsanitary and unsafe conditions.”
Mr Abdullatif
Currently, violations fall under the 2018 Public Health Law, with penalties capped at BD1,000. Mr Abdullatif believes this is not nearly enough of a deterrent.
“The existing law treats tattooing like any other public health violation, but we are talking about something that directly pierces the skin, enters the bloodstream and can spread life-threatening diseases. We believe this practice must be dealt with separately under the law, with far stricter penalties.”
The chairman emphasised the dangers of tattooing, pointing out that unsanitary needles, contaminated inks, or poor procedures could lead to serious complications.
“If tattoo ink enters the bloodstream, it can clog arteries and cause heart attacks, lead to infections, or even sepsis – a life-threatening condition,” he explained.
“Tattoo equipment can also spread blood-borne diseases such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C and antibiotic-resistant staph infections if not sterilised properly. These risks are too great to be ignored.”
In addition to health risks, councillors have raised alarms over tattoos they deem indecent or culturally offensive.
“We are not only concerned about the health aspect, but also about cultural values,” Mr Abdullatif stated. “Tattoos placed on certain parts of the body, or those carrying inappropriate shapes, words, or meanings, can offend social sensitivities in Bahrain.
“We request that the relevant authorities address both sides of the issue.”
One of the challenges, Mr Abdullatif admitted, is that while tattooing in Bahrain is illegal and parlours cannot be licensed, the law does not prohibit individuals from obtaining tattoos abroad.
“This legal gap has contributed to the increasing demand for tattoo services here,” he fears. “As a result, we have seen illegal parlours mushroom across the kingdom, exploiting young people and using social media to promote themselves. In reality, there appears to be little being done to track them down. In my opinion, the situation is already out of control.”
He revealed that the Southern Municipal Council is working closely with MPs and the other municipal councils and the Capital Trustees Board to draft a separate law criminalising tattooing, one that would specifically target tattoo artists and unlicensed outlets with harsher punishments.
“The penalties under the current Public Health Law are inadequate,” he claimed. “We are co-ordinating with MPs to propose a new legal framework that treats tattooing as a standalone crime, not just a violation, so offenders can be punished severely.”
Mr Abdullatif also called for tighter controls at Bahrain’s entry points to prevent tattooing equipment and inks from entering the kingdom unchecked. “Stricter monitoring of shipped items is essential,” he argued. “Tattoo needles, inks and related materials are making their way into the country, fuelling these illegal businesses.
“If we cut off their supply chain, we will significantly reduce their ability to operate.”
The chairman stressed that the council’s campaign is not intended to restrict personal freedoms but to protect public health and maintain cultural integrity.
“Tattooing is a dangerous, illegal practice in Bahrain,” he said. “Our responsibility is to safeguard people from health hazards, protect families from unnecessary risks, and preserve our cultural values. This is why we are calling for tougher laws, stricter enforcement and public awareness campaigns.”
He added that the council will continue to push for stronger measures until the issue is properly addressed.
Permanent tattoos are considered haram (forbidden) in mainstream Islam because they are seen as changing Allah’s creation. However, non-permanent forms of body art, such as henna, are permitted and encouraged for women.
Some Muslims with existing permanent tattoos may need to discuss their situation with religious authorities, while others, particularly in more progressive circles, may view them as permissible cultural or personal expressions.
Mr Abdullatif made clear his view. “The rise of underground tattooists is a threat to society,” he said. “We cannot stand by while unsafe practices spread diseases, exploit young people and undermine our cultural norms. This is why decisive action must be taken now.”
mohammed@gdnmedia.bh
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