Iraq votes to ban alcohol

The Iraqi parliament has taken the surprise step of banning alcohol in the country. It passed a law forbidding the import, production or selling of alcoholic beverages and imposed a fine of 25 million Iraqi dinars ($20,000) for anyone violating the ban.

The move has angered the country’s Christian community, many of whom rely on alcohol for their business.

Christian lawmaker Joseph Slaiwa said the “unjust” ban was slipped into a draft law regulating the income of municipal authorities without lawmakers being notified. The original article only called for imposing taxes on liquor stores and restaurants serving liquor, the Guardian reported.

“This ban is unconstitutional, as the constitution acknowledges the rights of non-Muslim minorities and ethnic groups who live alongside Muslims in Iraq,” added Slaiwa.

While alcohol is not commonly found in restaurants and hotels in Iraq, its consumption is relatively widespread in small shops and bars in Baghdad.

Ammar Toma, who is a member of Iraq’s parliament and voted for the ban, argued that it was justified because the constitution stipulates that “no law that contradicts the established provisions of Islam may be established”.