Press Article: Baghdad’s Boozy Culture Faces Crackdown Amid Prohibition Laws
Baghdad’s vibrant bar scene is under threat following a stringent crackdown on alcohol that has intensified in recent months. Despite a law banning the sale and import of alcohol in Iraq, which went into effect last year, its enforcement was initially lax. However, with a rise in conservative lawmakers holding a majority in parliament, the call for stricter enforcement has led to the closure of numerous private clubs that have served alcohol for decades.
Many establishments, primarily frequented by the Christian and Yazidi communities, received official notices in November prohibiting them from serving any alcoholic beverages under threat of legal action. The backlash against this law has sparked protests among affected owners, who lament the loss of income and the disruption to their businesses. One club owner described the venue as a community hub, holding bingo nights and music events without causing disturbances.
Despite the new restrictions, demand for alcohol endures. Residents can still access drinks in the autonomous Kurdistan region or purchase from duty-free shops at Baghdad International Airport. Some businesses continue operating through discreet channels, with shopkeepers adapting their methods to evade authorities, revealing a simmering contradiction within society where officials partake in alcohol while enforcing prohibition on the public.
Critics of the ban argue that these prohibitionist policies breed violence and stimulate illicit markets rather than curbing crime. Export taxes on alcoholic imports further complicate the issue, adversely impacting an estimated 150,000 to 200,000 workers in related sectors. The call for legal reform persists, with some lawmakers asserting their communities’ constitutional rights to engage in their cultural practices, which include the sale and consumption of alcohol. As the pushback against this prohibition continues, the future of Baghdad’s beloved social culture hangs in the balance.
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