Bahrain MPs have demanded a ban on promoting products that do not comply with Islamic principles, particularly alcohol.

They are specifically targeting the in-flight magazine of national carrier Gulf Air and Bahrain International Airport.

The proposal was submitted by MPs, who argued that Bahrain's constitution clearly stated that Islam was the national religion.

'There are no valid reasons for having products that do not comply with Sharia (Islamic principles) advertised and promoted, because Bahrain has a lot of good things that can be showcased to the world,' said one of those behind the proposal, Al Menbar MP Abdulhameed Al Meer, during yesterday's parliament session.

'Alcohol is not one of them and it is a shame that Gulf Air, our national carrier, and the airport have alcohol ads and billboards.

'Those two places are just among a few where we want ads and billboards removed and it is now up to the government to take action to ban all media publications in Bahrain from advertising and promoting such products.'

A parliament bill that would have banned alcohol in Bahrain was rejected last year after MPs refused to accept Shura Council amendments.

MPs had voted unanimously in favour of a law banning alcohol from Bahrain, but the bill was rejected by the Shura Council last May.

Shura Council members said it breached the rights of non-Muslims and referred back to parliament an amended version of the bill, stating that non-Muslims should be able to consume alcohol in designated places and in their homes.

However, MPs objected to the 'designated places' clause and referred further amendments back to the Shura Council, but the bill ran out of time when the four-year National Assembly term ended.-TradeArabia News Service