Less Alcohol, More Sharia in Turkey

Restrictions on alcohol in Islamic countries is embedded in sharia law, which is based in the Qur'an.  Drinking, making, selling or distributing alcohol is haram, or forbidden by sharia law.  Make wine, go to jail, it is that simple. 

Now with stricter regulations on the sale and marketing of alcohol in Turkey, it will be harder to sell through the internet, catering and party planning will become harder to do and the art of wine-tasting, slurping and all will become a thing of the past.

Cheers!


From BBC News Jan 12

Turkey alcohol curbs raise secular fears

New rules on the sale of alcohol in Turkey have raised fears its food and entertainment industries may be harmed.

The curbs ban alcohol from sports advertising and events for young people, and sales are limited to licensed shops and restaurants.

Critics say it will become harder for catering companies to organise wedding parties and similar gatherings.

A ruling party official said the rules were put in place to protect young adults from alcoholism.

An opposition spokesman said that an "oppressive mentality" was seeking to control Turkey, suggesting that the ruling AKP party was targeting secular lifestyles.

Yep.

One small wine-maker told the BBC that, under the new regulations, he could no longer promote his wines via the internet, could not recommend wines to go with certain food, nor hold wine-tasting events.

(.)Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has publicly voiced his disapproval of alcohol consumption. Last year he said he could not understand why people drank wine when they could just eat the grapes.

If he was not an Islamist, that line would be sarcasm.

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