Bahrain are staging next month’s Formula One grand prix. And they have already laid down the ground rules: no naked women and no champagne celebrations.
“We have raised these issues with organisers and they have promised there will be no naked women and no celebrations with champagne,” said Adel al-Moawada, deputy chairman of Bahrain’s parliament.
“This is an Islamic country and celebrations must conform to our traditions…I don’t think organisers would want to ruin such a big, costly event for such a small thing,” he said.
A grand prix celebration without champagne is like a Muslim country with no ban on Jews. Speaking of which..
He warned Formula One organisers to make sure no Israelis attend the event. “If this happens we will confront it. We will pick up our pens and start writing until we stop it,” he said.
To me, a huge part of sport is the joy of winning and celebrating, as well as its ability to transcend national boundaries. To Bahrain, it is just a way of making money and reminding the world how backward some Muslim countries are.
