When I first came to the Middle East, I was shocked at men’s drinking habits. Many men (of those who drink) will easily consume 15-20 beers (6% or higher) in one evening. Normally (according to my Middle Eastern husband), the usual rate is four beers per hour. Other drinkers choose cheap red wine (chosen because red wine generally has a higher alcohol content than white wine).
After we were married, I taught my husband all that we are taught in America in terms of alcohol and driving. Later on, my husband had the occasion to be with others who were drinking and suggested they “shouldn’t drink more than two beers an hour” (double what we are taught in the West as a maximum), only to be laughed at. It seems to be a real “macho” thing, as well as “getting drunk quickly” being the whole point of drinking at all.
There is NO alcohol education in Muslim countries (at least that I’ve yet heard about in 17 years). When discussing this with a Middle Eastern woman friend, she confided to me that she was sure her teenage son was going to try alcohol sooner or later. I offered to talk to him (I used to be his teacher) and teach him about driving safety, or about being at a party, and not getting in a car with anyone who has been drinking, etc. She told me that if he ever confided to me that he HAD tried it, then I was free to do that. But to discuss it with him BEFORE-hand was absolutely “taboo” because she (as others in this society) felt that would be giving PERMISSION. Since Islam frowns on drinking entirely, ANY education, she said, is viewed as “giving permission.”
Alcohol is available in grocery stores in my part of the Middle East, and can be purchased by foreigners and locals alike–except during religious holidays, and shortly before, when only foreigners are permitted to purchase by showing foreign ID. Furthermore, in bars and street/beach-side bars/restaurants, foreigners are allowed to sit outside and drink, while natives of this country must drink INSIDE ONLY. I used to think this was so hypocritical, until a local professional woman explained it to me. She said locals are less offended by foreigners drinking (who they presume are non-Muslim), yet extremely offended by seeing a Muslim drinking. Therefore, it is required to be done indoors where those who walk by in the street will not be involuntarily subjected to it.
I think this is a sad state of affairs where intoxicated people are driving and killing people on the roads every day, yet alcohol education is shunned because of religious sensibilities and political considerations.
Comments?
Expat 21
Tags: alcohol education in Muslim countries, alcohol in the Middle East, alcohol sold in grocery stores, beer, cocktails, driving and alcohol, foreigners drinking alcohol in foreign countries, how many beers in an hour, Islam and alcohol, lackof alcohol education under Islam, Muslim countries and drinking alcohol, Muslim religious holidays and alcohol, Muslims and alcohol, wine
January 5, 2009 at 4:49 pm
Drinking hummm!
Is such a taboo in the middle east, I think is one of the many double standard subjects in the whole world.
January 11, 2009 at 6:29 pm
Very interesting.
“I used to think this was so hypocritical, until a Moroccan woman explained it to me.”
Surely her explanation doesn’t make the behaviour any less hypocritical?
January 11, 2009 at 8:06 pm
Great post… seriously, I had no idea muslims drank that much… seeing as it is against their religion (it is isn’t it?)
popping by via Paddy Ks… Great blog!
January 11, 2009 at 9:09 pm
Felica,
Of course it is still hypocritical to allow them to drink indoors where “they won’t be seen.”
American in Norway,
I don’t mean to imply that everyone drinks. There are a fair amount of young men nowdays who choose NOT to drink….it depends a bit on the company one keeps, I suppose. There are many Muslims who are BORN into the religion who drink, don’t pray at all, some even cheat and tell lies regularly, many women who do wear provocative clothes and don’t cover their hair, yet DO fast during Ramadan, and therefore consider themselves to be good Muslims! In numerous discussions with various Muslims about this, I finally understand that all these things which Islam asks for are held up to be the “IDEAL,” while it is understood that many individuals are not able to “live up to this standard.” Those who are not able to (by drinking, or not praying) often start some of these activities even at the ages of 30-40-50, or even 60. The way my husband explained it to me, “When they start getting worried about dying, they start to change their ways.”
More younger people seem to be taking religion seriously than 17 years ago when I first came here. There are many Muslims who don’t drink at all, but there is a substantial group that does (more men, and some women). Of those who drink, a FEW do so moderately, but most who drink are NOT moderate, unfortunately.
Yes, drinking alcohol IS against the Islamic religion. There is some confusion on this in that one part of the Koran says it is not prohibited and another part does prohibit it. The answer is that to study the Koran correctly, you must also study the order in which certain revelations appeared. The revelation that does not permit alcohol was an earlier one, while the later one (which therefore supercedes the earlier one) DOES prohibit it. (I’m not a Muslim, so while I believe this is correct, if I have in fact made an error, please let me know.)
Expat 21
January 14, 2009 at 2:46 pm
Interesting post! I spent 6 years in Mauritania, a totally dry Muslim country, where alcohol was not sold openly anywhere. (Took us years to figure out where to get it
Now I’m in Morocco, where the situation is like you describe it.
I found you through the expat carnival. I’ll be back for more insights.
January 27, 2009 at 10:48 pm
Great! Thank you very much!
I always wanted to write in my site something like that. Can I take part of your post to my site?
Of course, I will add backlink?
Sincerely, Timur I. Alhimenkov
January 28, 2009 at 8:44 pm
Of course, thank you. I’m glad you found the post interesting. I tried to email you, but it came back as that address not existing–perhaps there was a mistake in the address.
Expat 21
January 31, 2009 at 4:04 am
Re: “But to discuss it with him BEFORE-hand was absolutely “taboo” because she (as others in this society) felt that would be giving PERMISSION.”
Sounds like the yahoo attitude towards sex in the States. (Swift’s yahoos, not yahoo.com yahoos). Then again, I’ve always been for abstinence only driver’s education in the public schools.
February 5, 2009 at 11:41 pm
Interesting post
Just as a correction, if I may; alcohol is prohibited in Islam. There is no saying in the Quran that permits it
Also, there are many middle eastern countries that do allow the selling of alcohol. However, there are some, such as Saudi Arabia and even Abu Dhabi, where alcohol consumption and sales are strictly forbidden.
April 15, 2009 at 12:27 pm
Hey, cool tips. I’ll buy a glass of beer to that man from that forum who told me to visit your site