Skip to main content

'Iraq is not an Islamic country': Minorities protest Baghdad's alcohol ban as unconstitutional

The Iraqi government's renewed effort to prohibit alcohol is not only worrisome for Christian and Yazidi minorities, but also raises constitutionality questions.
A man walks inside a liquor shop in Baghdad on February 23, 2023.  (Photo by MURTAJA LATEEF/AFP via Getty Images)
Read in 

Iraq officially banned the import, production and sale of alcoholic beverages of all kinds on March 4, in a repeat of a ban that was passed in 2016, but its implementation was paused  due to strong objections from secularists and minorities at the time.

The new law imposes fines for violations of between 10 million and 25 million dinars ($7,700-$19,000).

Access the Middle East news and analysis you can trust

Join our community of Middle East readers to experience all of Al-Monitor, including 24/7 news, analyses, memos, reports and newsletters.

Subscribe

Only $100 per year.