All the countries with complete bans on alcohol (Libya, Kuwait, Mauritania, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen) are majority Muslim. Because it is banned in the Quran, many Muslim countries tend to take a dim view of drinking even if they don't ban it outright for everyone.
The Eastern Mediterranean Region, consisting of the Muslim countries in the Middle East and North Africa, is by far the lowest alcohol consuming region in the world, both in terms of total adult per capita consumption and prevalence of non-drinkers, i.e., 87.8 per cent lifetime abstainers.
What religions don't drink alcohol? Islam, Buddhism, and some forms of Christianity forbid alcohol.
Drinking alcohol is considered haram, or forbidden, in Islam. As proof of the prohibition, Islamic scholars and Muslim religious authorities typically point to a verse in the Quran, the Muslim holy book, that calls intoxicants “the work of Satan” and tells believers to avoid them.
According to Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W), if a substance intoxicates in a large amount, it is forbidden even in a small amount. Hence, most observant Muslims abstain from drinking alcohol at all costs.
Jewish tradition permits controlled alcohol drinking, whereas Muslim tradition prohibits the use of any alcohol.
According to The New York Times, this shift in policy came directly from the Qatari royal family and was described as “nonnegotiable.” Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, brother of the ruling emir, reportedly grew concerned that excessive, visible drinking could lead to security issues and cause disruption ...
Buddhism, the Thai state religion, teaches that use of intoxicants should be avoided.
Intoxication – A Sikh must not take hemp (cannabis), opium, liquor, tobacco, cocaine, narcotics, etc. In short, any intoxicant is not allowed.
1 – With Moderation
Moderation is also important because it fosters health, which is one of the reasons the Church has historically tolerated and even supported the consumption of alcohol (think of the medieval religious orders and their production of beer, wine, whiskey, and liqueur).
Some countries, like Saudi Arabia, outlaw alcohol altogether. Drinking there can be punished by flogging, fines, imprisonment and, for foreigners, deportation.
According to the World Health Organization, US has the lowest rate of alcohol dependence with only 1.93 per cent.
In North America, Native Americans have the highest probability of developing an alcohol use disorder compared to Europeans and Asians. Different alcohol tolerance also exists within Asian groups, such as between Chinese and Koreans.
Traditionally, the wet/dry distinction has been described as follows: In wet cultures, alcohol is integrated into daily life and activities (e.g., is consumed with meals) and is widely available and accessible. In these cultures, abstinence rates are low, and wine is largely the beverage of preference.
However, the dominant belief in Islam is that, not only is the consumption of alcohol in any of its forms forbidden, but Muslims should avoid even indirect association with alcohol.
Sikhs. The Sikh religion forbids cutting or shaving any bodily hair.
Generally, alcohol is regarded as unhealthy and potentially leading to violent behavior in many Hindu sects. However, some Hindu sects incorporate alcohol into their rituals and practices, reflecting the diversity of perspectives within the faith.
Instead of religion, some Muslims regard Buddhism as a philosophy since Buddha's original teaching never teaches about God. If it is a religion, it should consist of the concept of faith in a supreme power that protects all beings, determines human destiny, and accepts God-provisions over humans.
Despite the clear doctrinal stance on alcohol, Buddhist lay devotees do not necessarily take the full set of lay vows, and local drinks like Tibetan-style beer (chang) or sake in Japan often play an important role in celebrations, funerals, and ceremonies.
There is perhaps no religion that loves alcohol as much as the Japanese Shinto religion, which reveres sake as the most sacred of drinks—the “liquor of the gods.” The god of sake is also the god of rice and the harvest, so drinking sake is associated with a bountiful and blessed harvest.
Generally, the legal age for drinking alcohol is 18 in Abu Dhabi, but a Ministry of Tourism by-law prevents hotels from serving alcohol to those under the age of 21. In Dubai and all other emirates besides Sharjah, the drinking age is 21. Drinking alcohol in Sharjah is illegal.
Dubai drinking laws
Alcohol consumption was no longer deemed a criminal offence and a license was no longer required for visitors to be able to do so. Alcohol can only be consumed in private (such as your own home or hotel) or in licensed public places.
FIFA said the decision would ensure "the stadiums and surrounding areas provide an enjoyable, respectful and pleasant experience for all fans." The sale of alcohol is strictly controlled in Qatar, an energy-rich Persian Gulf country that follows a conservative form of Islam known as Wahhabism.