MANAMA: Authorities in Adliya have closed down a popular restaurant after a woman wearing a headscarf was allegedly denied entry.
After a video of one of the staff blocking a hijabi woman from entering the facility went viral on social media, the Bahrain Tourism and Exhibition Authority (BTEA) announced that it has initiated an investigation into the incident.
The BTEA has advised all tourism outlets to follow regulations and refrain from implementing policies that are against the Kingdom’s laws.
In a statement, the BTEA stated that it rejects all activities that discriminate against people, particularly when it comes to their national identity. The authority also stated that legal action is being pursued.
Meanwhile, the restaurant’s management apologized for a mistake made by one of its employees, which resulted in the organization’s embarrassment, in a message posted on social media. The restaurant stated, “We have suspended the duty manager based on our inquiry.”
However, local media reported the staff who allegedly denied entry to a veil-clad woman at a restaurant is not an Indian, claims by a witness.
Bahraini Mariam Naji who apparently shot a video of the incident at Lanterns restaurant that went viral and thus brought it to the attention of the kingdom’s authorities, said that she was upset how unpleasant the whole incident was had turned out.