Baghdad - In Baghdad's Karada area, Boulos Yunan is openly putting bottles in plastic bags for a clientele thirsty for a drink of whiskey or beer in a city worn down by bombings and violence.
Just a few months ago, Yunan and Baghdad's other alcohol vendors would not risk selling the forbidden drinks even in secret, for fear of attacks by Muslim extremists, mainly Shiite militiamen from the Mahdi Army, seeking to enforce Islamic law.
With relative calm slowly returning to Baghdad and the Mahdi Army militia retreating from the streets, liquor stores are re-opening in areas where alcohol was traditionally sold and bars freely offered liquid relaxation to customers all night long.
The areas with the most alcohol shops are Sadun Street and Karada, a middle-class district where Christians and well-to-do Shiites live together peacefully.
'This summer, there is a growing demand for cans of beer of various brands. But the best is German beer, which costs about 1.25 dollars a can,' said Yunan, a Christian owner of a shop in Karada costing a monthly rent of about 2,500 dollars.
'Arak imported from Turkey, Lebanon and Greece is very popular along with Iraqi arak, which is made of dates and is sold for only 2.50 dollars,' the alcohol trader said.
Most clients are men from all age groups, but young and middle- aged women also often come to the shop to buy beer, Yunan explained.
Iraqis who are starting to drink again - after a pastime which was long banned - come from across the country's religious and ethnic spectrum.
'My clientele is mixed: Muslims, Christians and people from other religious communities, such as Sabaiyn. I also get artists, poets and writers,' Yunan said.
Many alcohol shops are located near security checkpoints or in relatively secure areas, such as around Baghdad's fortified Green Zone.
'Alcohol traders open their shops all week but work half day on Fridays thanks to the presence of checkpoints, which provide protection and ensure that we don't have to pay extortion money to anyone,' said a liquor store owner in Karada, Youssif Korkis.
Alcohol was widely available and freely traded for most of the rule of the late Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein but in the mid-1990s he imposed restrictions on its sale as part of a religious revivalist drive.
After the US-led invasion in 2003, Iraqis relished a brief period of relaxation from booze restrictions, which did not last long. Self- appointed enforcers of Islamic law, especially from the Mahdi Army, embarked on a campaign against alcohol drinkers and sellers.
Shops were blown up and some vendors kidnapped and murdered.
With the violence still fresh in memory, Baghdadis are nervous about selling and buying alcohol.
To avoid cultural and religious sensitivities of pious Iraqis, traders avoid putting their beverages in window displays. But in the privacy of their own shops, they flaunt the premium brands that they have.
For those observing religious prohibitions, non-alcoholic, 'Islamic' beer is becoming very popular and safer to consume.
'Good brands of beer and whiskey are now available in reputable shops but we can not drink in public places. I drink privately with my friends,' said Munir Khalid, 43, betraying a lingering nervousness.
'But in the near future, alcohol shops will make a strong comeback because we live in a country of freedom and democracy,' the optimistic Baghdadi said.
SP4: hey TonnyJun 9th, 2008 - 23:39:34
...losing....?
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