Alcohol in Morocco

Glug if you're not local

A row over whether alcohol should be tolerated for some or banned for all

See article

Readers' comments



Moroccans view alcohol is a drug with nefarious social effects but out of respect for other religious traditions, religious minorities have been exempt for more than 1000 years. Yes, more than 1000 years.

In the west, they get to decide what drug ought to be legal with varying restrictions (such as alcohol), criminalized (hashish, cocaine, LSD, etc) or regulated by doctors or whatever they decide, and the law becomes applicable to all. If you raise any objections, you will be accused of "failure to integrate".

You can imagine the outrage if Moroccans (in other words Muslims) wish to impose their social norms on Britain by calling on its people to legalize the use of Hashish for certain minorities.

Ireland banned divorce until 1994 and only legalized it after two referendums. The same country was a full member of the EU since the early 70s. You would think the EU would refuse entry to a country that codified a catholic tradition in its laws, wouldn't you? Not a chance, unless they were Muslim.

What I am trying to say is the following:

This has nothing to do with minority rights or discrimination, it has to do with the fact there is something about being Muslim that makes them uncomfortable. It is like being born with black skin in the good ole days of slavery.

If Europe accepts to legally import hashish grown on Moroccan soil and to stop calling on the Moroccan government to burn down these fields, then we can negotiate on the issue of alcohol.


Avoiding the democratic argument, could I merely suggest that some Moroccan wines are now rising nobly above the level of French Supermarket plonk, and can be enjoyed with very real pleasure! In Marrakesh I found that within the walls, it is dry and even the "Special Coca-Cola" of years past is no longer available, but that outside in the new town, although there are sight screens at the doors, so that the eyes of respectable Muslims passing by are not offended, bars and restaurants, and, even night-clubs operate happily.


Here's a cool tourist tip - if you're planning a visiting a Muslim country, don't. There are plenty of places around the world that respect human rights and have much better attractions on offer.


extranjero - "Israel does try to outlaw non-Jewish traditions :). This topic is not about Israel, but about a specific country, Morocco so stay on topic."
israel doesn't try to outlaw non-jewish traditions. if your going to make such a bold comment at least back it up with some real examples.




I say, screw state religions. If I want to drink in Morocco, let me. Morocco improves its economy because of an increase in tourism, and people can learn how to practice their religion in their place of worship, or their home.


Why is it that the Muslims have to impose their precepts on their believers rather than inspiring them to follow those precepts?


also SLJ1986, in response to your comment 'The article clearly states that Muslims are forbidden from having a swig not Christians or jews'

yet the article says
"the religious capital, recently suggested it could become Morocco’s first entirely dry city. " - so the article is talking about a complete ban for all people, including christians and jews.


sjl1986 - i agree with you on your 'essence of democracy'. but when something is democratic it can still be discriminatory. furthermore, there are substantial differences between your western comparisons and what this article is discussing;

muslims living in the west is a new situation - they have not been a part of the culture or history for a significant time. for this reason i believe upholding democratic principles in outlawing certain muslim customs that are incompatible to western values quite reasonable.

however jews have been in morocco longer than islam has. therefore the outlaw of alcohol would be similar to if the austrlaian government today was to outlaw aboriginal dream time. it may be compliant with democratic values if the majority of australians wanted so, but it doesn't mean it would be right.

with these thoughts in mind i hold the view that its completely unethical for morocco to ban the use of alcohol for minorities. although i won't find it suprising if it eventually succeeds, as its not uncommon for minorities in muslim countries to have their fair liberties denied.


to Cyperwriter and PenName505: The article clearly states that Muslims are forbidden from having a swig not Christians or jews. Besides, Morocco is a majority Muslim country so if they were to have a referendum on the issue, according to democratic principles, alcoholic drinks would be banned since the vast majority of Morocco's population are Muslims.

The essence of democracy is that rule is based on the wishes of the majority, not the minority- and thats how it should be. Many aspects of Islamic law and culture are outlawed in Western democratic nations such as polygamy, slaughtering animals in your house, wearing the headscarf in public institutions, the call to pray, building of mosque and minarets and so on because they go against the norms of those societies. Muslim minorities living in these countries have to respect and obey the law, if they don't like it then they are free to leave. So the same goes for minorities living in Muslim countries whose practices may not be considered acceptable to the majority.


In many jewish festivities wine is a religious tradition/law... imagine the fuss if israel was trying to outlaw muslim traditions...



Products and events


Take our weekly news quiz to stay on top of the headlines

