Fine beverage is a very complex subject, especially when religion is concerned. The New York Times published a fascinating piece yesterday on the cultural catch-22 for Muslims operating deli/grocery stores in New York and having to sell forbidden items, or “haram items” such as lotto tickets, pork, and ALCOHOLIC FINE BEVERAGE.
Mr. Kabir, 49, an immigrant from Bangladesh and a Muslim, is chagrined because he sells pork and alcohol, which are prohibited by the Koran. Mr. Kabir’s dilemma is widespread among Muslim immigrants in New York and other American cities, where religious beliefs, the pursuit of prosperity and pressures to assimilate are often in conflict. Continue Reading »
Guinness is hosting some pretty epic parties to celebrate it’s 250th birthday, but things have turned awkward in Malaysia, where Muslims have been barred from attending one such celebration featuring the Black Eyed Peas.
According to Reuters, No Muslims at Malaysia Black Eyed Peas concert:
The move comes after a Malaysian Islamic court sentenced a 32-year Muslim woman to be caned after she was caught drinking beer in a hotel and at a time when an opposition Islamic party has moved against beer sales. Continue Reading »
In a raid last year at a Malaysian nightclub, part-time Muslim model Kartika Sari Dewi Shukarno was caught drinking a beer. The consumption of alcohol is a punishable offense in Malaysia for Muslims, though usually the punishment is a fine. After pleading guilty, Shukarno was sentenced to six lashes from a Malaysian court. The lashings are carried out by whipping the exposed seat of the offender with a four foot rattan stick that has been soaked in water.
Does this seem like a reasonable punishment for such an offense?
According to “The Arab Tribune” of Arab, Alabama, “A Montgomery County Circuit Court has ruled that Marshall, Cullman, Blount, Dekalb and Lauderdale counties are entitled to a share of $1.3 million in back taxes generated by a statewide beer tax since 2004.” This means $150,000 for the dry counties (counties that do not sell alcohol), the same as the wet counties (counties that do sell alcohol). Continue Reading »
