Iraq bans alcohol in clubs, hotels as pro-Iranian Shiites tighten controls – The Irish Times

Iraq’s dominant pro-Iranian Shiite conservatives have tightened their control over the country, banning the sale and consumption of alcohol in clubs and hotels. It marks the culmination of a two-decade crackdown on alcohol and has been criticized as a violation of minority rights, restricting personal freedoms, harming tourism and threatening jobs.

Former lawmaker Mithal Al-Alusi told the New Region Iraq website: “This decision reflects the political intentions of certain groups closely linked to Iran to turn Baghdad into Kandahar (Afghanistan),” while encouraging the “spread of drug use” promoted by banned armed forces. elements.

Iraq-based Shafak News quoted the head of the Christian parliamentary bloc, Joesph Sliwa, as saying: “Most of those who drink alcoholic beverages are Muslims and there is no consensus on banning alcohol.” Local production, import and trade of alcoholic beverages have traditionally been carried out by Christians and non-Muslim Yazidis.

In a letter to Baghdad’s century-old Alvia Club, the Interior Ministry said the ban applied to all registered clubs and warned of the possibility of prosecution for violations. Fines range from the equivalent of €7,400 to €18,200. The ban does not apply to the semi-autonomous Kurdish region in the north.

A ban on the sale of alcohol in licensed stores failed in 2016. When it resumed in 2023, shops were forced to close, but the exclusive Alvia and Okhota clubs, as well as tourist hotels, continued to sell alcohol. Iraq has a long-standing love affair with Johnnie Walker Black Label, which was once called the country’s national drink, although it was consumed exclusively by the wealthy elite.

Iraq used to produce powerful date arrack and European-style beer. The lager was introduced by Muslim and Christian businessmen after World War II during the British-backed monarchy and flourished after its overthrow in 1958. Attacks on liquor stores came on the heels of the 2003 American occupation, leaving beer sellers stranded under Baghdad bridges in the dark of night.

Beer is believed to have been invented 5,000 years ago by the Sumerians in Mesopotamia, when hunter-gatherers discovered the fermentation of grains. Beer was widely consumed because the water was contaminated with animal waste. Archaeologists have found ceramic vessels containing remains of beer dating back to 3400 BC and a hymn to the Sumerian goddess of beer. The Babylonian king Hammurabi was a lawgiver who reigned from 1792 to 1750. BC – issued the first rules for taverns.

In addition to the alcohol ban, Shiite groups have passed a controversial law that makes a major Shiite religious event a national holiday and are pushing for legislation to allow girls to marry at nine. The law would also give sharia religious courts jurisdiction over marriage, divorce and inheritance, and is strongly opposed by secular, Sunni and Christian Iraqis, as well as moderate Shiites. Before the US-led Gulf War in 1991, Iraq had the most liberal women’s rights laws in the Arab world.