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MuscatGary
Joined: 03 Jun 2013
Posts: 1364
Location: Flying around the ME...
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1st Sgt Welsh
Joined: 13 Dec 2010
Posts: 946
Location: Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei
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 Posted: Wed Dec 03, 2014 7:09 am Post subject: |
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| The problem I often have with those who believe and follow the practices of revealed religions is that they don't seem happy unless other people believe and follow these practices too. One of the first things I looked into when researching Oman was whether or not they allowed booze. Just for the record, alcohol is not a big part of my lifestyle (I might go out for a few drinks maybe once or twice a month - when I'm away on holidays I usually drink more though), but, for the Gulf, I see it as a barometer for how tolerant that society is. If Oman is going to start implementing a series of laws motivated by religion [I don't buy that they are considering banning alcohol primarily for health reasons] that curtail the liberty of non-Muslim expatriates then, speaking for myself, I might as well move to Saudi. Similar restrictive lifestyle, but, at least over in the Magic Kingdom I could make better money. |
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Tazz
Joined: 26 Sep 2013
Posts: 512
Location: Jakarta
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| Posted: Wed Dec 03, 2014 11:07 am Post subject: |
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| As long as they don't withdraw the liquor permit and provide the shops that I can buy from-it's ok for me. happy to drink at home with mates watching the footie. Some sad and sleazy places selling alcohol here that, quite frankly-should be closed down! [Nightclub at Al Wadi hotel in Sohar, for example.] |
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veiledsentiments
Joined: 20 Feb 2003
Posts: 17644
Location: USA
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| Posted: Wed Dec 03, 2014 4:39 pm Post subject: |
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| 1st Sgt Welsh wrote: |
| [I don't buy that they are considering banning alcohol primarily for health reasons] |
I think that it is mainly to try to stop Omanis from drinking. I don't think 90% of Omanis care what expats do as long as they don't have to deal with the negatives (drunk driving... drunks on the street... brawls...).
The problem is actually enforcing the existing laws and if they try prohibition, I doubt it will work any better, though I expect that it would affect the expats by making it difficult to get safe affordable alcohol.
I never had a liquor license, so I wouldn't have noticed.
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1st Sgt Welsh
Joined: 13 Dec 2010
Posts: 946
Location: Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei
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| Posted: Wed Dec 03, 2014 6:38 pm Post subject: |
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| veiledsentiments wrote: |
| 1st Sgt Welsh wrote: |
| [I don't buy that they are considering banning alcohol primarily for health reasons] |
I think that it is mainly to try to stop Omanis from drinking. I don't think 90% of Omanis care what expats do as long as they don't have to deal with the negatives (drunk driving... drunks on the street... brawls...). |
I have heard of two incidences in Salalah in the last week where people, who have the authority to OK the paperwork on liquor licenses, have refused to do so. The talk on the street is that the English Department head at Dhofar University will not sign the liquor license forms for any of his expat, non-Muslim teaching staff because he is "very religious". The other was a police officer at the CID who wouldn't even look at my friend's completed forms two days ago, based on the excuse he was not accompanied by an Omani (which is in no way a requirement). As to why he wouldn't allow my friend's application to be processed, I can only guess, but my friend suspects it was due to religious sensibilities.
| veiledsentiments wrote: |
The problem is actually enforcing the existing laws and if they try prohibition, I doubt it will work any better, though I expect that it would affect the expats by making it difficult to get safe affordable alcohol. |
Agreed. |
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Geronimo
Joined: 11 Apr 2007
Posts: 498
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nomad soul
Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 11454
Location: The real world
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| Posted: Wed Dec 03, 2014 9:38 pm Post subject: |
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| 1st Sgt Welsh wrote: |
The problem I often have with those who believe and follow the practices of revealed religions is that they don't seem happy unless other people believe and follow these practices too. One of the first things I looked into when researching Oman was whether or not they allowed booze.
....
I don't buy that they are considering banning alcohol primarily for health reasons. |
That was the first thing you researched? Tolerance aside, Oman is, first and foremost, an Islamic country. Period. And as a guest in the country, you're expected to adjust to the cultural environment---not the other way around.
Regardless of how you feel about the proposed ban, alcohol abuse/alcoholism is a real health issue---one that the Omani government has the right to be concerned about.
| veiledsentiments wrote: |
| I think that it is mainly to try to stop Omanis from drinking. I don't think 90% of Omanis care what expats do as long as they don't have to deal with the negatives (drunk driving... drunks on the street... brawls...) |
Agreed. Besides, those expats who may find it harder to purchase booze will figure out a workaround. Otherwise, they certainly won't die if they have to do without it. |
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