http://www.gulf-daily-news.com/NewsDetails.aspx?storyid=284728
VICE WARNING
By MOHAMMED AL A'ALI , Posted on ยป Sunday, August 15, 2010
PROSTITUTES are allegedly using the cover of Ramadan to continue plying
their trade, according to a Manama councillor.
They are "setting up shop" in Ramadan tents, wearing semi-decent
clothing, but making their availability plain to potential clients, says Manama
Municipal Council member Abdulmajeed Al Sebea'a.
He said he was concerned that the Interior and Culture ministries would
turn a blind eye to such acts in the name of protecting tents' businesses and
Bahrain's tourist image during Ramadan.
Mr Al Sebea'a said his concerns were based on what happened last year and
he was worried that similar incidents will re-occur.
He also inspected a number of hotels in the days leading up to Ramadan
and claimed he saw a number of working girls operating in tents.
"Since Ramadan tents are now open, I call on the government to take
action against groups of prostitutes wearing semi-decent clothing, who are
distributed around tables to offer themselves to customers," said Mr Al
Sebea'a, who is area councillor for Adliya, Segaiya and Mahooz.
"A number of hotels encourage the continuation of prostitution during
Ramadan through tents, considering that the number of customers drops
considerably during this month and there are fewer options for such activities."
Mr Al Sebea'a, who regularly assembles reports on prostitution in the
Capital Governorate, is demanding the government take immediate action.
"I don't think that sending a memo to hotels and monitoring them daily
will be a problem, considering many officials visit Ramadan tents as part of
the country's social scene.
"It just needs someone being a bit harsh with those prostitutes and it
wouldn't be a problem for officials to leave their tables for five minutes and
take action and then continue whatever they are doing.
"I am not against tents, but they are being run in an unorganised manner
that allows the integration of those prostitutes and makes it very hard to
single them out."
Mr Al Sebea'a said that the authorities concerned should also start
preparing for hotels that will be opening more outlets during the Eid holidays,
where there are more opportunities for prostitution.
"The fear is that Ramadan and Eid will pass without any action being
taken and I am here begging that authorities concerned to take firm action," he
said.
"Families like to enjoy both occasions and with those prostitutes around
as chocolates many feel offended."
An Interior Ministry spokesman said that Mr Al Sebea'a claims would be
investigated.
The councillor claimed last June that Bahrain was facing an invasion of
"sex tourists" from around the Gulf in the summer holiday season.
He said it was cheaper and easier to travel to Manama than visit the Far
East. [email protected]
