Iraq bans alcoholic beverages sale, import, manufacture

Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) – The Iraqi authorities have officially banned the import, sale and manufacture of alcoholic beverages in Iraq.

The official newspaper in Iraq published the Municipal Imports Law, which includes the ban on the sale, import and manufacture of alcoholic beverages.

According to the law, anyone violates the decision will pay a fine that ranges between ten million dinars (6.85 thousand USD) and 25 million dinars (nearly 17.14 thousand USD).

The enforcement of the law starts from the date of its publication in the Iraqi official newspaper on February 20.

In 2016, the Iraqi Parliament voted on a law banning the manufacture of alcoholic beverages. At that time, the law provoked a wave of widespread controversy, but it was not enforced at that time due to the reluctance of some political parties.

It is expected that the implementation of the decision will arouse the anger of some minorities in Iraq, but in return, it will be welcomed by Islamic religious parties.

Many companies producing alcoholic beverages are active in Iraq in areas such as Baghdad, Mosul and the Kurdistan Region of Iraq.

Iraq has become a major source of alcohol, especially to the Kurdish areas in northeastern Syria, due to its lower cost compared to alcohol products produced in areas under the control of the Syrian government.

A lucrative alcohol production business is growing by Iraqi outlets who have started shipping alcohol products outside Iraq, where these products are being sold in neighboring Syrian and Turkish towns, Arabian Business reported.

During Saddam Hussein’s rule, Muslims were prohibited from selling alcoholic beverages, but non-Muslims could do so if they had a license. Most liquor stores in Iraq are owned and operated by people from the minority Christian or Yazidi community.