Bahrainis start taking to the streets recently to express their minds out.

MANAMA, October 4, 2005 (IslamOnline.net & News Agencies) - The holy fasting month of Ramadan starting Tuesday, October 4, in Bahrain may be a test of abstinence for the faithful, but it will also open political forums in a Gulf state where political activities have just picked up steam.

"Ramadan has become the real season for political activities," Sheikh Salah Al-Juder, member of the municipal council of Muharaq, the second-largest island of the kingdom, told Agence France-Presse (AFP).

"I think that the political debate will intensify (during Ramadan) because municipal and legislative elections are approaching," he said, in reference to the polls expected in May and October 2006, respectively.

Dozens of tents are erected every year across Bahrain by notables who turn them into traditional "diwaniyas," or meeting places during the long Ramadan nights.

After breaking their fast at dusk, faithful Bahrainis recite prayers before gathering at their family home or heading to spend the evenings at the diwaniyas.

Ramadan started Tuesday in most of the Arab and Islamic world. The holy month starts Wednesday, October 5, in some countries, particularly in the West.

Muslims abstain from eating, drinking and having sex from dawn to dusk during the holy month.

Muharaq, an island of less than 100,000 residents, has about 140 diwaniyas where "political debates will tackle the possible participation of some organizations in the elections of 2006," after they boycotted the 2002 polls, Juder told AFP.

"If the Islamic National Accord Association (INAA) decides to participate, the Ramadan forums will mark the launch of the electoral campaign" for the upcoming polls, the young Sunni Muslim imam added.

INAA is the main political formation of the Shiite Muslims in Bahrain.

Political groups operate as associations due to a continued ban on political parties in Bahrain amid slow attempts to introduce reforms to the country since 2001.

Dhia Musawi, a young Shiite dignitary, agrees with Juder.

"I expect political debate to heat up during Ramadan," he said. "The diwaniyas will become forums... where people discuss their problems. Politics will be the main topic, whether concerning local or international issues."

Women in the tiny Gulf state also have their own diwaniyas.

Bahraini activist Badria Ali promises to open at least once during Ramadan the "majlis (council) for women" that she has been holding in the last three years.

Activist Najat Titoon wants to hold her majlis twice during Ramadan "mainly to discuss the political role of women."

Juder said women "play an important role during Ramadan."

"They can visit people without problems, and they can meet both women and men," for electoral purposes, he said.