Forum Views ()
Forum Replies ()
Read more with google mobile :
Iraq cuts short nightlife revival with bar closures
Yahoo!
My Yahoo!
Mail
More Yahoo! Services
Account Options
New User? Sign Up
Sign In
Help
Yahoo! Search
web search
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Africa
Europe
Latin America
Middle East
North America
Iraq cuts short nightlife revival with bar closures
Reuters - Monday, December 7
Send
IM Story
Print
By Khalid al-Ansary
BAGHDAD - Authorities have ordered the closure of all Baghdad nightclubs and dozens of shops selling alcohol, concerned the venues were undermining "public morals," the city's governor said on Sunday.
A special police force closed 95 unlicensed clubs and 42 liquor stores since the start of November after neighbours complained of underage drinking, public drunkenness and lewd advertising, Governor Salah Abdul-Razzaq said in an interview.
No nightclubs in the Iraqi capital have a licence, he said.
The closures threaten to cut short a brief revival in Baghdad's once-vibrant nightlife as residents began to enjoy some of the activities they were forced to abandon amid the sectarian violence unleashed by the 2003 U.S.-led invasion.
It was unclear who had ordered the raids. Abdul-Razzaq said the move had cabinet approval, but government spokesman Ali al-Dabbagh denied Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki was involved.
"This issue concerns the province of Baghdad and is not a federal issue," Dabbagh said.
Maliki's Dawa Party has Shi'ite Islamist roots but has sought to broaden its base to include secularists, nationalists and minorities as it seeks re-election in a poll next year.
Mainly Muslim Iraq is a conservative society, where many women cover their hair and bodies and most men and women eschew alcohol, which is proscribed under Islamic law.
BELLY DANCERS AND BOOZE
The re-opening of Baghdad's nightclubs, which showcased belly dancers and served alcohol, in the last year was heralded as a step towards normal city life, and police said at the time Maliki's government had instructed them to turn a blind eye.
At the height of Iraq's sectarian war, militias executed people they believed violated Islamic laws and suicide bombers targeted public spaces to kill dozens of people at a time.
At least 100,000 civilians have died in Iraq since 2003.
But violence has ebbed in recent months, encouraging Baghdadis to become more social. The Health Ministry in November reported the lowest monthly death toll since the U.S. invasion.
The rowdy nightclubs that opened over the last year evoked the Baghdad of the 1970s and 1980s, when a more permissive climate allowed boozy establishments with provocative dancers.
In the 1990s, late dictator Saddam Hussein began shutting down bars and clubs, part of a curtailing of freedoms as he tightened his grip on power and tapped into Islamist sentiment.
It was unclear whether all nightclubs had closed yet as many are located in unregistered venues.
Anyone caught opening a shop or bar without proper permits faces a fine and six-month jail sentence, Abdul-Razzaq said.
Iraq's stance on alcohol is still relatively liberal compared to its neighbours Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, where possession of alcohol is banned.
Recommend
Send
IM Story
Print
Related Articles
In this photo provided by ABC News, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, left, and Defense Secretary Robert Gates appear in Washington Saturday AP - 1 hour 24 minutes ago
AP IMPACT: Timber program becomes vast entitlement AP - 1 hour 30 minutes ago
Obama tries to rally Senate Dems on health care AP - 1 hour 32 minutes ago
Both candidates claim victory in Romania vote Reuters - 1 hour 34 minutes ago
Professor sees Nancy Grace involvement in suicide AP - 1 hour 38 minutes ago
News Search
Top Stories
Climate pledges 'put world on track for 3.5 C rise'
British royals warn newspapers over paparazzi shots
UAE stocks recover after Dubai debt crisis losses
German firms complain of tight credit, intrusive banks
Hundreds protest New York 9/11 trial
More Top Stories »
ADVERTISEMENT
Most Popular
Most Viewed
Most Recommended
Hundreds protest New York 9/11 trial
Saudi hails 'perfect' oil price, stable market
Saudi investors shrug off Dubai debt crisis
UAE stocks recover after Dubai debt crisis losses
British royals warn newspapers over paparazzi shots
More Most Viewed »
Global stocks mixed amid Dubai debt crisis
Tiny magnetic discs could kill cancer cells: study
Alcohol helps cut heart disease risk for men: study
Mankind using Earth's resources at alarming rate
Dubai blackout over debt plans to hit Gulf markets
More Most Recommended »
Elsewhere on Yahoo!
Financial news on Yahoo! Finance
Stars and latest movies
Best travel destinations
More on Yahoo! News
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Subscribe to our news feeds
Top StoriesMy Yahoo!RSS
» More news feeds | What are news feeds?
Also on Yahoo
Answers
Groups
Mail
Messenger
Mobile
Travel
Finance
Movies
Sports
Games
» All Yahoo! Services
Site Highlights
Singapore
Full Coverage
Most Popular
Asia Entertainment
Photos
Copyright © 2009 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte. Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved.
Terms of Service |
Privacy Policy |
Community |
Intellectual Property Rights Policy |
Help
Other News on Monday, 7 December 2009 ElBaradei sets conditions for Egypt presidency run
Virgin Galactic readies maiden suborbital flight
Climate pledges 'put world on track for 3.5 C rise'
British royals warn newspapers over paparazzi shots
Karzai urges flexibility for U.S. troop timeline
|
West Bank settlers step up resistance to freeze
Iraq cuts short nightlife revival with bar closures
Indian PM arrives in Russia for arms, nuclear deals
|
Police clash with youths on Greek riots anniversary
|
Israeli settlers step up protest against freeze
U.N. says biggest climate talks in history must deliver
|
Turkey says no more troops for Afghanistan
Swiss minaret ban reversal vote in pipeline
|
Iran opposition leader says reform movement alive
|
Malaysia grabs three of five Super Series titles
E.Asian Games medal race has familiar look
Mass. Sen. hopefuls working to get voters to polls
Study: Missing DNA can promote childhood obesity
Wolf recovery at crossroads in the Southwest
China's Liu Zige wins 200m fly, misses record
Australia steps up wildfire preparedness
'Blind Side' eclipses 'New Moon' with $20M weekend
Pakistan police arrest gang accused in bombings
21 killed, 50 hurt in bus collision in Bangladesh
Obama aide cites al-Qaida leader in Afghanistan
McCain troubled by Afghan pullout target date
15 killed, 30 hurt in bus collision in Bangladesh
Clinton hasn't looked into Knox case in Italy
Obama security adviser: Picture not good on Iran
PROMISES, PROMISES: A closed meeting on openness
Must-pass bills pile up as days wind down
Obama To Meet With Democrats On Health Care Bill
Reed Certified As Atlanta Mayor
GOP Wants Baucus Investigated For Recommending Girlfriend In U.S. Attorney Post
Two People, Dozens Of Horses Killed In Barn Fire
'SNL' can't resist Tiger Woods jokes
African-American princess joins Disney royals
Blind Side tackles top spot at movie box offices
|
Marketing magic: the business of Christmas markets
Episcopal church elects lesbian bishop in Los Angeles
"Agitprop" Austrian sculptor Hrdlicka dies at 81
Bacons perform at Philly Mummers' fundraiser
Climate change has silver lining for English vineyards
Dubai faces gradual exodus of expatriate workers
Iraq poll preparation begins
British banks face tax on bonuses: reports
Afghan women among worst off in world-rights group
|
Facebook forms board on online safety
Unbeaten NFL Saints get a scare but keep up with Colts
Intel scraps graphics chip based on Larrabee
Date for US drawdown needed for Afghans: Gates
Fake drugs trade on the rise: EU
US to launch new bid to hunt down Bin Laden
Iranian police surround university to prevent protest
|
Spain move to help Western Sahara hunger striker
Bolivia's Morales claims re-election, Congress control
|
Opposition figures arrested as Sudan bans rally
Mexicans in drug war city call on army to leave
|
Iraq lawmakers end impasse, election to go ahead
Tough times force OPEC members to close ranks
Iraq clears way for parliamentary elections
Iraq lawmakers end impasse, election to go ahead
|
Opposition figures arrested as Sudan bans rally
|
Senior Venezuelan minister resigns in bank scandal
|
Sudan must explain Darfur peacekeeper killing
Honduras' Zelaya to stay in Brazil embassy
|
Japan PM support below 60 percent as coalition bickers
|
Facebook forms board on online safety
|
Intel scraps graphics chip based on Larrabee
|
Election of lesbian bishop reopens Anglican wounds
US applauds Iraq plans for parliamentary elections
Pearl Harbor survivor back for 1st time since war
Police charge 3 after Indonesian bar fire kills 20
WA police probe fake radio call reporting shooting
Popularity soars for Taiwan opposition leader
More than 500 claims filed against NW Jesuits
Drunk Taiwan vote loser shoots rival's sister
Obama rallies Democratic troops on health care
Obama urges Dems to pass health care overhaul
Philippines says clan gunmen attack police
Kashmir's anonymous graves summon darkest days
Senate votes to spare plaintiffs' lawyers
10,000 lanterns fly into record book in Indonesia
Chicago police say nothing found in Blago burglary
Japan PM support below 60 percent as coalition bickers
Philippine massacre suspects face rebellion raps
Broken promises fuel Thai insurgency: analysts
Australia opposition leader enjoys poll boost
Asian markets mixed after US jobs report
Korea Hot Stocks
Xinhua: China auto sales pass 12M in Jan-Nov
World trade to fall "unprecedented" 10 pct: Lamy
Blind Side tackles top spot at movie box offices
|
Japan to finalise stimulus package: PM
Jack Black gets animated with movie project
|
Pakistan
Kennedy Center gala honors performing arts greats
|
NZ recovery may not be sustainable
Cable network TNT pinning hopes on Men
|
Xinhua: China plans to keep stimulus, easy credit
Mamet's Race more entertaining than insightful
|
China's BoCom says has financing plans, no timetable
Bennett Miller in talks to direct Moneyball'
|
Seoul shares rise on U.S. data relief; exporters up
Jerry O'Connell signs on for NBC pilot
|
Galactic enlists New Orleans legends for new album
|
Billboard names Powter One-Hit Wonder of Decade
Jerry O'Connell signs on for NBC pilot
Cash-strapped Americans seek holiday gift alternatives
Kennedy Center gala honors performing arts greats
Obama on Bruce Springsteen: 'he's the Boss'
Bennett Miller in talks to direct "Moneyball'
Boyle stays British number one
'The Blind Side' tops North America box office
"Blind Side" tackles top spot at movie box offices
Mom Gives Birth Aboard Southwest Airlines
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights