Iraq bans sale and import of alcohol

Iraq’s parliament has passed a law banning the import, production and sale of alcohol, a move that critics say discriminates against the country’s Christian community.

The law, passed on Saturday, imposes a fine of up to 25m Iraqi dinars (£17,000) for anyone in violation of the ban, as reported by The Guardian.

The surprise ban was voted in by conservatives within the Iraqi government, which is dominated by Shia Islamist parties.

Critics of the ban have argued that it infringes on the rights of minorities living in the country, in particular Christians.

While Islam forbids the consumption of alcohol, it has always been available in Iraq’s larger cities, mainly from shops run by Christians.

The ban has been passed at a time when Correspondents say the new law has been passed at a time when attention is focused on the battle to wrest control of Mosul from the militant group known as Islamic State.

Earlier this year Indonesian authorities proposed a similar ban on alcohol across the south east Asian archipelago, including the popular tourist destination of Bali. Elsewhere the Indian state of Kerala succeeded in passing a ban on alcohol late last year, despite opposition and a petition by hotel and bar owners in the region.