D. Suhair bint Sanad Al-Muhannadi
On a quiet summer morning, among the alleys of the ancient Manama market, and between the fragrant scent of spices and the echo of vendors shouting, “Take the fruit of Bahrain,” one senses the simplicity of life and the depth of the values that represent the fabric of Bahraini society. I saw a young man wearing a uniform bearing provocative expressions. The eyes exchanged questioning looks, while the elderly man whispered, smiling: “My son, Bahrain is pure and its people are good. Be courteous.” Role Model,” here and in this spontaneous scene, the meaning of public taste becomes clear: respecting others and preserving the psychological and aesthetic security of the place, and as stated in the Holy Qur’an: “And speak good to people,” so good speech and responsible action in the public space are part of our religion and our civilization.
In this context, a proposal for a law on preserving public taste was recently referred to the Foreign Affairs, Defense and National Security Committee in the House of Representatives, to be on the parliamentary discussion table, in a step that reflects the state’s awareness of the importance of regulating public behavior in accordance with Bahraini values and customs, without the law having yet entered into force. The proposal aims to create a safe and respectful public environment, during which it is prohibited to appear in offensive or indecent clothing, and any A statement or action that harms others, or exposes them to danger, and legalizes writing or drawing on walls, with progressive financial fines for those who violate the law, in a way that balances legal deterrence and societal awareness.
From a realistic experience, in one of the public parks, some teenagers wrote on the walls phrases that were out of public taste, and the visitors noticed their discomfort, but directed police intervention with simple awareness-raising quickly restored order, which makes it clear that the law, no matter how strict, must be accompanied by social and cultural awareness, and here the past meets the present, as in the old Bahraini proverbs: “He who does not know you, does not value you” and “A person is hidden in his modesty,” which connects between the individual and society and encourages consideration of others, becoming part of daily awareness and not just a legal text.
The proposal is not only a protection of social values, but it is also a philosophical tool for establishing a balance between freedom and discipline, between the individual and society, as stated in the noble hadith: “None of you believes until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself.” It contributes to protecting public and private property, creates an attractive environment for investment and tourism, and reflects Bahrain’s ability to keep pace with the modern era without compromising its cultural essence.
While the law remains on the table of representatives, in the stage of discussion and study, the opportunity arises to enrich it with cultural and awareness initiatives, and educational competitions for children and youth, to make public taste a living culture in societal awareness, and not just a legal obligation. Visual campaigns, educational scenarios, and simulation experiments can be added to public spaces, to make mutual respect a part of every street, park, and market, so that the individual lives the value of the law before To become effective.
Thus, the law proposal turns from a regulatory text into a social, intellectual and philosophical journey, telling the story of Bahrain: a society that respects its authenticity, balances freedom and discipline, and formulates an integrated public space of respect, safety, beauty, and human dignity, waiting to be transformed from a proposal on the parliamentarians’ table into a tangible reality that weaves values into every corner of society.
