Public Eating During Ramadan in Bahrain May Lead to Jail Time

TDT | Manama
Email : editor@newsofbahrain.com

Publicly eating, drinking, or smoking during fasting hours in Ramadan can lead to legal action in Bahrain, with penalties including up to a year in prison or a fine. The law does not contain a direct clause on eating in public during Ramadan, but lawyers say such actions fall under offences linked to showing contempt for recognised religious rituals.

‘It’s well established that openly breaking the fast during Ramadan is against both Islamic teachings and the law,’ lawyer Isa Jassim told The Daily Tribune. ‘It is treated as a misdemeanour and carries a penalty of up to a year behind bars or a fine not exceeding 100 dinars.’

Though Bahrain’s Penal Code does not specifically name public eating during fasting hours as an offence, Jassim explained that it is widely seen as falling under Article 309, which prohibits acts that demean recognised religious customs. ‘The law applies to everyone, regardless of faith, nationality, or residency,’ he said.

For an act to be considered an offence, it must take place in a public setting, such as a street, park, or other open space. ‘The law does not make exceptions based on background—whether someone is a citizen, an expat, or a visitor, they are expected to follow the same rules in public,’ Jassim said.

Penalties range from a minimum of three months’ imprisonment to a year. However, courts have the discretion to impose a fine instead. ‘A judge can decide whether a fine of up to 100 dinars is more appropriate than a prison sentence, depending on the circumstances,’ Jassim said.

The application of such laws has been a recurring point of discussion in Bahrain and the GCC region, particularly regarding non-Muslims. While many businesses continue operating during Ramadan, authorities expect public decorum to be observed, with eating and drinking kept within private spaces.