Send As SMS
<-- HitTail.com code -->

Blogger News Network

BNN provides English-language US and world news, analysis and opinion from all over the Internet. We strive for high standards, ethical behavior, and the presentation of multiple responsible points of view.



Visiting our advertisers directly supports this site. Thanks!


Get More Traffic For Your Blog!

Blog Explosion brings hundreds of interested visitors to your blog - without costing you a cent.

BNN News Archive Page
       Friday, February 24, 2006

Imagine Your Byline Here - Click Here To Write For BNN




Beer and Islam mix like oil and water

These are uncertain times for Palestinian beermaker Nadim Khoury, what with the recent election of Hamas and the possibility that it might impose strict Islamic law, which would forbid the sale and consumption of alcohol. That's why the West Bank businessman and owner of the only brewery in the Palestinian territories is hedging his bets by putting out a non-alcoholic beer. And for good measure he gave the beer bottles a green label, the color of Hamas. Nice touch. Whether or not it will be the color of money remains to be seen.

But it's enough to make one stop and marvel at some of the more blatant ironies of the religion of peace. For instance, in those Islamic states where strict sharia law is imposed, drinking beer is considered a satanic activity which could cause otherwise good and dutiful Muslims to succomb to behaviors that could land them in the fires of hell, whereas blowing Jews to kingdom come is considered hunky dory. The only time the wisdom of sharia law might get dicey in this matter is if someone gets drunk and goes on a Jew-killing spree. Then, presumably, any imam worth his salt would advise members of his flock that, sure, okay, it's not a problem, knock yourself out, the more the better.

Anyway, Sharia law in Hamasland isn't a done deal by any means, but conservative sentiments are running high and the astute beer entrepreneur saw what already happened in Gaza where alcohol wholesalers were burned or run out of business and the last bar was bombed on New Year's Day. In the Palestinian territories they tend to be a bit short on settling matters through the rule of law and long on explosions that get things settled more abruptly. Life is short and uncertain so there's no time to waste on cumbersome formalities.

On the other hand, what other faith than the one that guides Hamas is able to promise virgins in heaven for mass murderers? One more amazing irony of the religion of peace.

Greg Strange provides conservative commentary with plenty of acerbic wit on the people, politics, events and absurdities of our time. See more at his website: http://www.greg-strange.com/



Blogger News Network is advertiser-supported, and your visits to our advertisers help BNN to meet its expenses. Help keep us afloat!

posted by Greg Strange at 8:54 AM  

1 Comments:

Simon Fitzgerald said...

Would be nice to talk to the owner or distributer of this beer. I have an unverified suspicion that his biggest concern is the Israeli occupation and the limitations this puts on his ability to reliably import, export and distribute supplies and the finished product.

12:53 PM  

Post a Comment

Links to this post:

Create a Link

<< Home

Add this story to Digg     Reddit     Newsvine     Del.icio.us     Ma.gnolia     Spurl

      

Sign up for Blog Soldiers and get 50 free credits!

Subscribe to BNN and get a daily bulletin of all our news postings.
Enter your Email


Powered by FeedBlitz

Interested in writing for BNN? Want information on our news service?

Contact The Editor
Writing for BNN
BNN Editorial Policies