Oman votes for blanket ban on alcohol

Visitors to Oman found consuming alcohol could be jailed for up to a year, if a vote by the country’s Shoura council to introduce a blanket ban on alcohol is made law.

Sur in Oman

Currently, permits to buy alcohol can be obtained by non-Muslims, effectively restricting alcohol to those visiting Oman, as reported by Reuters. Anyone found producing, consuming or trading alcohol without a permit is currently liable to a jail term of between six months to three years and a fine of 300 Omani rials ($779).

If the proposals are approved by the country’s cabinet, permits would be abolished and a blanket ban on alcohol would be introduced making consuming or trading alcohol in the country illegal.

An official told Reuters: “The members voted for generalizing the punishment on anyone practice alcohol-related activities including production, dealing, or trading. But, of course, this is still a recommendation, not a law by itself.”

The council voted to recommend putting a ban on such activities, making them punishable with a jail term of between 10 days and one year, or a minimum fine of 200 rials ($500), or both, and to abolish permits. A ban could effect the country’s efforts to expand tourism in the area, with Oman keen to become a major destination for cruise tourism.

Speaking to the Times of Oman Maitha Al Mahrooqi, undersecretary of tourism in Oman, said: “It is a vote and the vote will stay there until it is endorsed like any other vote in the world. Oman is home to all types of nationalities and will remain so. As a country we welcome all types of religions and all types of workers and guests from all over the world.”