Iraq abolishes Saddam's alcohol restriction law
Ministry of Interior in Iraq abolished Saddam's alcohol, night clubs and casinos restriction law which was introduced in the 90's. The law has been abolished because it interferes with and limits Iraqis personal freedom. Businesses, however, are required to obtain a licence from Ministry of Interior and Ministry of Health. [Arabic link]
Who would've guessed that al Jaafari government would do this? I must say, I'm impressed.
Who would've guessed that al Jaafari government would do this? I must say, I'm impressed.
posted by Ahmad at 8:10 PM
18 Comments:
I am also impressed and relieved. After the election I remember reading all the posts claiming that the newly elected government is fundamentalist like Iran's. I'm going to the Yahoo message boards right now to post the good news. Thanks Ahmad.
very interesting indeed...Iraqis can finally have fun in their parties which I remember became gloomy when alcoholic beverages were banned...I still think alcoholic beverages should be prohibited in specific places such as public parks and gardens though.
I wonder if the murder of liquor shops' owners would cease or increase as a result of this new law?
Ahmed,
Actually I'm not surprised. It tells me he fullfilled one of his election promises.
Before the elections, he was asked by a reporter about this specific subject. Jaafari answered that he supports the selling alchohol in Iraq.
Freedom: the most intoxicating brew of them all!
:)
The Iraqis are going to need a lot of whiskey to combat the growing depression and treat the horrific injuries related to car bombs.
Got no minister of oil, but who cares? Have a drink! Smart move on the Iraqi government's part.
They should legalize weed, so all the terrorists could smoke a doobie and CHILL OUT and STOP KILLING PEOPLE.
Herb is the healing of the nation.
I am confident that the new Iraqi government will not tolerate excessive use of alcohol and I agree that it should be restricted from certain areas and strongly kept away from young people, and its sale and use must be kept well away from any Mosque or school.
There's that Shia theocracy reign of terror we keep hearing about.
I emailed Instapundit with this story last night - and he linked to your blog post.
Thanks Monica, that was very sweet. I am getting a LOT of traffic from Instapundit :)
Although I’m an Iraqi Shia, I had my worries of turning Iraq into an Iranian style country, but I say lets give Al-Jaafari a chance, maybe after all he’s not that frightening!
For me I don’t care who will rule, if it’s a Kurd, Arab Shia, Christian, or even an Iraqi Jew as long as He/She works for Iraq’s best interest and will defend its freedom and democracy, I’m sorry to say that I lost my faith in Arabs Sunnis, they ruled Iraq for the last 1000 years and look where we are… but again, I might be mistaken.
Osama,
I have said before that we shouldn't be afraid of Iran-Style Iraq and that al Jaafari is moderate; but to be honest I didn't expect this alcohol law to be abolished by al Jaafari government! That was a great move.
As for who should rule, I agree with you and I will support anyone who will work for Iraq’s best interest and defends its freedom and democracy.
I can understand your concern regarding the Sunnis, and I have the same concerns! So, I would rather wait until things change before see them rule again; having said that, they should be part of the political process and should have a fair share of representation.
I love this blog- keep up the great work. this is encouraging to see Jaafari liberalizing the country. Freedom can never be defeated!! feel free to link to my own blog at
http://airforcepundit.blogspot.com
Iraq has had a significant secular culture in the past. In the 1950s the communists (who are not known for their love of religion) had a sizable presence in Iraq. I forget the exact size of membership in the party (does anyone know?) Obviously that was the wrong model of secularism. However, Iraqis have always valued education and I know they are good learners. But can they withstand the calls to jihad and nationalism?
Democracy! Whiskey! Sexy!
I am thinking Iraq could become the Pre-Revolutionary Cuba of the Middle East or maybe that will be Lebanon, either way, those nightclubs and drinking establishments are sure to be very fascinating character studies. Can you imagine hobnobbing with gangsters in smoky bars, the acrid smell of sweat, the weapons slightly parked under vests, furtive glances as everyone checks each other out, the belly dancers
hidden away in the VIP Lounge.
Yeah, I like it.
And get some strip clubs too and scantily chad Pretty Iraqi women swinging from Poles. Okay, that's probably not happening, but it wouldn't surprise me if there's a big increase in Religous Pilgrims (wink wink) from Iran hitting the nightclubs and feasting on booze and cheap sex.
Any ways, Omar, Zeyad, Moammed, Ali, Alaa, Pax, Raed, et al. must be exuberant that the cheap booze is flowing again...
And for the poster above, I believe Ganga is legal in Iraq, it's the hard drugs that will get you the 72 virgins...
"And get some strip clubs too and scantily chad Pretty Iraqi women swinging from Poles. Okay, that's probably not happening, but it wouldn't surprise me if there's a big increase in Religous Pilgrims (wink wink) from Iran hitting the nightclubs and feasting on booze and cheap sex"
Isn't the Arabian Penninsula where belly dancing got started.....? ;o)
Anyways, I'm gladdened to hear this. If a conservative Muslim in Iraq doesn't want to drink, that's his right. But if someone else wants to imibibe, then that should be okay too. I'm thinking this could turn out to be like the good old days in Beiruit (when it was considered the Paris of the Middle East). Could be a nice tourist draw when the fighting finally stops...
It shows the real intention and activities of puppet Iraqi Government backed by occupation and Iran. It is evidence of secularist mind projects on Iraq.
Iraq is a muslim countries.
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