Bahrain has a long history of repressing free speech, which intensified after the pro–democracy protests in February 2011. Due to the 1976 Penal Code provisions, the Bahraini government is easily able to repress dissent and criticism. In March, the Press and Publications Directorate banned the following books from the Bahrain International Book Fair. Because of our commitment to freedom of expression, Sampsonia Way recommends these books to all those who speak Arabic.
Unbridled Hatreds: Read in the Face of Ancient Hatreds
Dr. Nader Kadim’s book examines the human impulse of hatred and its prevalence in modern society, despite efforts to curb it through laws.
The Personal Diaries of Charles Belgrave
Banned in Bahrain since 2010, this book features important historical information about the rulers of Bahrain from 1926-57 as notated by their British advisor, Charles Belgrave.
Wahabbism
Miqat Alrajehi’s study on Wahabbism, a conservative branch of Sunni Islam, is another book that was banned from the Bahrain International Book Fair.
Jazaweyat
Fahad Fatik's novel is among the books banned from the Bahrain International Book Fair.
Bahrain in the Gulf Gazetteer
Written by Abbas Almurshid, the book focuses on historical and geographical material about Bahrain. The Press and Publications Directorate gave no reasons for banning the book.
Political Organizations and Societies in Bahrain
Co-authored by Abbas AlMurshid and Abdulhadi AlKhawaja (pictured), the book was published and distributed without incident in 2010. However the Press and Publications Directorate said “there were complaints by a local lobbyist group on the book’s cover.”
Looking at the books, most are banned because of the influences of society and not because of the government. In fact, freedom of expression is upheld in the country, as proven by the proliferation of print media in the last ten years and the strength of the local journalists association.
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Looking at the books, most are banned because of the influences of society and not because of the government. In fact, freedom of expression is upheld in the country, as proven by the proliferation of print media in the last ten years and the strength of the local journalists association.
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