May 23, 2013

Members of Parliament in Bahrain voted on May 22 to ban pork as part of new amendments to the law, some of which have Islamist overtones.

They approved amendments to the Penal Code that include criminalising the sale, import, export, production and possession of all pork products, except for products authorised for medical use.

Anyone who defies the ban would face up to two months in jail or a fine of up to BHD300 (US$795.69), or both.

Of the 29 MPs present, 24 voted in favour of the amendments, none voted against them, and five abstained.

However, the amendments will now go to the Shura Council for review after the summer recess, meaning pork is still legal in Bahrain as of now.

The pork ban is not without opposition. Ebrahim Al Daisi, Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) food and agriculture committee chairman, earlier accused MPs of trying to force their will on the public.