Bahraini store-owner Khadija Ahmed is one brave and ambitious lady. She has set up and runs the region’s first love store, aiming to spice up married couples’ love lives. Khadija aims to save marriages and curb infidelity by putting the fizz back into Bahraini couples’ marriages.
“I established the store to help married couples, because the issue most Bahraini couples suffer from is the lack of interest in their intimate relationship. She told the Gulf Daily News.
“Infidelity is one of the main reasons couples get divorced and my store helps tackle that, because once the intimate relations of a couple become better, then they will work harder on their relationship.
The store owner offers what she describes as a form of marriage counseling to add: New and exciting passion breaks the daily routine of married life.”
Sex and Sensitivity
Khadija holds the necessary paperwork from the Bahraini Dept of Commerce but has had to fight to keep her store open. In May 2010, she appeared before the Bahraini Lower Criminal Court, accused of insulting a Customs officer in an argument while trying to import some of her products, which include sex aids and games.
The case has been adjourned till September 15, and Ms Ahmed, who denies the charge, told GDN it has already cost her a night in a police cell and lost income on products blocked by customs. Officials say some of the products Ms Ahmed is trying to import are unauthorized, while she claims some are already on sale in pharmacies and other stores.
Khadija, who has the support of her family, maintains she is doing nothing wrong, as her customers are married. Her store, which is located in the heart of Jidali, on one of Bahrain’s busiest roads already, has a broad customer base.
“The products I sell don’t go against Islam. There is nothing that prohibits married couples from enjoying their sex lives, or preventing them from having a happy marriage. ” Said Ms Ahmed.
A Bold Move
Nevertheless, she has had numerous confrontations with Bahrain Customs, who have confiscated some of her products.
“Some of the reasons I received were that my business caused an uproar among religious leaders and some people were scared their children would get hold of my products… Bahrainis should be proud that they have a woman like me who is bold enough to create a business that serves married couples and they shouldn’t stand against me.”
Sex Shop Halal
Ms Ahmed appeared on a regional television programme, Sex Shop Halal, which discussed whether the Arab world is ready for such a store. She reiterated the need and demand for her business among married Bahraini customers.
“I have a large customer base and I have received many emails and phone calls from people thanking me for saving their marriage.” Our society needs to come to terms with the fact that this actually helps married couples.”
