01 March, 2006

The 4th Dubai International Wine & Beverage Fair!

The 4th Dubai International Wine & Beverage Fair
click above for larger image

More than 500 wines from 16 different countries. The largest ever display of fine wines and spirits for the 4th Dubai International Wine & Beverage Fair!

This fair is running from 28 Feb to 1 March 2006 at Madinat Jumeirah Convention Centre.

It looks like this fair has its own website ... although it says it is under maintenance:

http://www.dubaiwinefair.com/


Can you believe this? What is really funny and sad at the same time is that some officials are talking about boycotting Denmark (which I support) and then at the same time promoting such fairs that are against our Islamic beliefs and local traditions. Click at the picture above to see what I mean (you need to be able to read Arabic).

قال الله تعالى :

( يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا إِنَّمَا الْخَمْرُ وَالْمَيْسِرُ وَالأَنْصَابُ وَالأَزْلامُ رِجْسٌ مِنْ عَمَلِ الشَّيْطَانِ فَاجْتَنِبُوهُ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ) المائدة/90

ففي سنن أبي داود ( 3189 ) عن ابْنَ عُمَرَ رضي الله عنهما قَالَ قال : رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ " لَعَنَ اللَّهُ الْخَمْرَ وَشَارِبَهَا وَسَاقِيَهَا وَبَائِعَهَا وَمُبْتَاعَهَا وَعَاصِرَهَا وَمُعْتَصِرَهَا وَحَامِلَهَا وَالْمَحْمُولَةَ إِلَيْهِ " وصححه الألباني كما في صحيح أبي داود

11 comments:

B.D. said...

But alcolhol is legally served in hotels in country. In that sense there's nothing inconsistent in holding this program at one of the hotels. Already the UAE goverment is saying that alcohol is permissable if limited to certain establishments. This fair is consistent with that. There's no point in anyone getting hysterical (not saying that the poster is) that something new, tragic and detrimental with regard to the culture is happening. This show is consistent with policy and practice within the UAE.

There is a rationale here that I think the UAE government is following. Muslims have an obligation to avoid alcohol. Yet the UAE is a multi-cultural society. To respect the sesibilities of Muslims while at the same time allowing a multi-cultural community to flourish, they allow alcohol consumption while restricting it to certain premises. This is a fair compromise. Compromise is a necessary tactic if one is to successfully host a multi-cultural society.

nick said...

All I can say is Cin Cin!

فهد المحمود said...

Although personally I don't agree about allowing Alcohol in the UAE, but that is totally different story. On the other hand, allowing a wine fair to take place is something different since it is attracting more publicity and sends a message that laws about consuming alcohol is now more "relaxed" and flexable since an official event about it is allowed.

Anonymous said...

and here i thought the UAE was an islamic country! i guess i was wrong!

B.D. said...

An Islamic country, a Christian country, a Buddhist country... how does one define such things? I think the Taliban wanted Afghanistan to be an Islamic country, and so did Pakistan. But still, how do you define such a thing? Is it on the basis of the percentage of the population who are of a given religion? Is it on the basis of the country's constitution?

It's hard enough trying to say this or that indivudual is a "true" Muslim, a "true" Christian or whatever, because someone will turn around and say they aren't doing this or that so that aren't really what they say they are. So, how in the world are you going to characterize a whole country--especially one as dynamic, fluid and multi-cultural as the UAE. If you try, then you'll always be surprised and confused about reality the not matching some limited definition, just as some find it now perplexing that there could be a wine fair here.

The UAE is a lot of things!

Anonymous said...

yes the uae IS a lot of things, but can non nationals become nationals!? in your heart you know i am right!

فهد المحمود said...

I believe that a country's religion is based on the country's constitution. Islam does not approve the concept of the separation of religion and state. I know many countries are adopting this concept, if not officially then practically. I'm not saying the rights of other religions should be discarded. Each person has the right to practice his own religion with certain limitations of course.

I would almost compare this event with the Danish cartoons case. The Danish are confronting Islam by making fun of the prophet of Islam. And with this event, we are confronting God's orders of forbidding preparing, serving, drinking, selling, and transporting alcohol drinks. You see what I mean? If as Muslims we express our love to the Prophet Mohammed and feel so angry because of such cartoons ... then we should feel as angry and disappointed (if not more) that his teachings and orders (which came from God) are being confronted by who are supposed to be his people and his followers.

The prophet Mohammed taught that all his followers are saved or can be saved except those who announce and spread sins among the others and show pride in committing sins.

humblemuslimah said...

Disgusting that being a muslim country they allow a fair that promotes wines enough said.

Anonymous said...

again you know i am right!

B.D. said...

^^^ Oh, the words of anonymous are like the words of God. Thank you, Most Holy, for joining our forum!

John B. Chilton said...

In the picture, is that a water glass or a wine goblet?

It's got one of those paper lids on it. What are those things about anyway? To keep the dust out?

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