Alcohol: from Mesopotamia to Modern Iraq

Abstract

Aims: An understanding of alcohol's place in Iraq's history and society can help inform alcohol policy responses in that country and other Muslim majority countries. This paper describes the history of alcohol in Iraq from ancient to modern times, with reflection on the challenges facing Iraqi youth today.Methods: A search was undertaken to identify peer reviewed and grey literature that describes alcohol-related practices, norms and values across the millennia in Iraq. A historical overview is provided of alcohol's use and context, with more detail on recent times.Findings: Alcohol was an important commodity in Iraq until the rise of Islam in the 7 th century CE. Despite the subsequent Islamic restrictions on alcohol, alcohol remained present in Iraq's society and cultures. Recent studies provide varying descriptions of the prevalence of alcohol consumption and there are challenges in researching this sensitive topic. External forces shaping alcohol use in Iraq include direct and indirect alcohol promotion, globalised media, and conflict and violence with its associated stress and trauma. Conclusion:Alcohol research and policy development in Iraq must consider the country's unique cultural, religious, historical and political context. Iraq's youth may be subject to pressures to increase consumption and thus policies must be informed by an understanding of the complex set of current perspectives and pressures.

Alcohol among young people in Iraq: a systematic scoping review

“…No study reported on harm-reduction or treatment initiatives and measures in Iraq. Iraq has no clear written or implemented alcohol policy, strategy or harm reduction initiatives [6,11]. This is despite at least three studies from diverse cities showing young people dying or placing themselves and others at risk while under the influence of alcohol [20,24,28].…”

“…Iraq is a nation that has been exposed to international and civil war for the past four decades. Most of Iraq's population is under the age of 24 [5], and exposed to civil war, directly or through family or community involvement [6]. In addition, Iraqi young people are influenced by conflicting principles and cultures-that of their home cultures and religions and that which they are exposed to with no censorship on television, social and mass media [6].…”

“…Most of Iraq's population is under the age of 24 [5], and exposed to civil war, directly or through family or community involvement [6]. In addition, Iraqi young people are influenced by conflicting principles and cultures-that of their home cultures and religions and that which they are exposed to with no censorship on television, social and mass media [6]. For example, local Iraqi traditions prohibit alcohol use while alcohol is commonly presented as a positive and sophisticated commodity in international entertainment channels and by social media users online.…”

“…For example, local Iraqi traditions prohibit alcohol use while alcohol is commonly presented as a positive and sophisticated commodity in international entertainment channels and by social media users online. Although each of these challenges may be present in other Muslim majority countries (MMCs), the combination of these factors in Iraq is unique-especially given the diversity inherent in its deep cultural tradition [6].…”

“…Previous reviews have investigated alcohol policy approaches in MMCs [11] as well as prevalence of drinking in the Eastern Mediterranean [12] and Arab gulf region [13]. In Iraq specifically, a previous review has investigated alcohol's place in Iraq's history, cultures, and societies [6]. However, none of these reviews outline the scope of existing academic literature around alcohol use, misuse, and policy in Iraq-including in relation to young people.…”