A drinker's guide to Islam  A Palestinian beerfest is not as
bizarre as it seems. Alcohol has long been a tolerated aspect of
Muslim culture     • theguardian.com,     • Jump to comments ()
Daoud Hore of the Taybeh Beer factory in the West Bank, which
hosted its seventh Oktoberfest this month. Photograph: Jamal
Aruri/AFP/Getty Images  If I said that we went to an Oktoberfest
last weekend, readers may wonder why I am writing about it. If I
added that the beer festival in question was in the West Bank
and there we encountered a couple of self-deprecating young
Germans dressed in lederhosen, some may start asking themselves
what I've been drinking, or perhaps smoking.   Secular
Palestinians, expats and even leftist Israelis equipped with
glasses of Taybeh beer wandered around food and handicraft
stands, watched traditional Dabke dancers, modern music, comedy
and theatrical performances.  Despite its remoteness and tiny
proportions, Taybeh has earned its place on the cultural and
social map as being the location