Islam forbids the consumption of alcohol, but it has always been available in Iraq’s larger cities, mainly from shops run by Christians. “This ban is unconstitutional, as the constitution acknowledges the rights of non-Muslim minorities and ethnic groups who live alongside Muslims in Iraq,” he said. The Iraqi law was unlikely to be enforced in the largely autonomous Kurdish region, which is home to a sizeable Christian community. ISIL brutally enforces a ban on alcohol, cigarettes and other drugs in the territory under its control. Others expressed support for the ban and praised parliament for aligning the country’s laws with Islamic teachings.

Source: National Post October 23, 2016 15:56 UTC