SHEIK SAYS "MUSLIMS CAN DRINK ALCOHOL"

I'm not sure the Muslim world is ready for happy hour.

CAIRO: Sheikh Youssef Al-Qaradawi, Muslim scholar known for his moderate views on religious issues, once again sparked controversy when he declared that it is permissible for Muslims to drink beverages containing a miniscule level of alcohol, in an interview that ran in the Qatari Al-Arab newspaper.

According to Al-Qaradawi, “beverages that include 0.5 percent alcohol are not prohibited in Islam because it is a very small percentage, especially if the alcohol was produced through natural fermentation over time and not added deliberately.”

However Mahmoud Ashour, one of Al-Azhar’s most prominent sheikhs and member of the Islamic Research Center, disagreed with Al-Qaradawi’s statements, explaining that Muslims are prohibited from consuming anything with fermented components.

Ashour added that anything that includes alcohol — no matter how small the percentage is — is prohibited by Islam, citing a Hadith by Prophet Mohamed (PBUH) supporting his argument.

Drunk Muslims

And then there is this. A non-alcoholic pub in England for Muslims. As ridiculous a concept as a non-alcoholic pub is, I shudder at the thought at what their ladies night must be like.

Behind the bar, there are fizzy drinks and fruit juices, including non-alcoholic spritzers and buck's fizz for those special occasions.

In addition to tea and coffee, a range of Asian snacks is available, while Islamic songs are played over loudspeakers.

Pubgoers can play snooker, darts or karam, an Indian board game similar to billiards. Islamic-themed quiz nights have also been organised.

Why Muslims need to drink



Here is where I like to say something funny and thought provoking. But after seeing that picture, I can't. I just can't.

TC