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. ala...@gdn.com.bh