The attitude of the Middle East (where the Muslim population is predominant) to alcohol is not as unambiguous as it might seem. Although in most countries from the circle of Islamic culture there is a ban on its consumption, there are also those in which these restrictions do not apply. It is from the Arabic language that the name "alcohol" is derived (from the combination of the name of a cosmetic based on ethanol antimony - kajal / kohl and the prefix al-), and the distillation method was first developed by Muslim scientists.
The beginnings of alcohol in Islamic countries
Even before the introduction of Islam, alcohol was known in the Middle East, and even liked and its beneficial effects were recognized. The first notes on this subject in the Qur'an also include approval of alcohol. In early Islam, fine wine was enjoyed at the courts of caliphs in Baghdad and Damascus, and was even celebrated with poetry, especially among the Persians.
Only with time did considerations about the good and bad sides of spirits appear, and the belief that they were bad and that their consumption was a sin prevailed. At first, people were reluctant to comply with the newly created ban. Therefore, a law was introduced that forbid attending prayer while drunk - a devout Muslim prayed five times a day, so in fact this rule was equal to the prohibition of drinking alcohol. Today in Islam the taboo of alcohol is widely used.
The amount of alcohol consumed in some countries
In 2011, alcohol consumption in the Middle East increased by as much as 72%, which may indicate that not all citizens comply with the ban. The Persians, who were wine lovers, did not give it up completely and continued to eat it at closed parties, in a trusted circle. It is estimated that 1.02 liters of pure alcohol per person are drunk annually in Iran.
The ban is much more followed by the inhabitants of Pakistan, where the annual consumption of alcoholic beverages is only 0.06 liters per person per year. Alcohol is usually consumed only by wealthy people, and lower-ranking citizens even do not approve of such behavior.
The most alcoholic beverages are drunk in Lebanon (2.23 liters per person per year) and Turkey (1.87), although in these countries it is perfectly legal. You can also legally buy alcohol in Egypt. Despite this, the average person in this country consumes only 0.37 liters per year.
What is the most popular drink in the Middle East?
Arak, an unsweetened, rather heavy-tasting high-percentage drink, made by distilling a fermented rice or date mash, is associated with the Middle East. It is traditional alcohol in Israel, Lebanon, Palestine, Syria and Jordan. It is recommended to drink it diluted with water in a ratio of one to three. After proper mixing with water, it is poured into cups filled with ice. It is very important that arak is added to the ice and not the other way around, because then the alcohol will change its consistency to an undesirable one. Some people consume the drink without diluting it.