JAN 17 NATIONS THAT FORBID ALCOHOL

JAN 17  NATIONS THAT FORBID ALCOHOL

One of America's most memorable days occurred one hundred years ago today. January 17, 1920, was the first day of Prohibition. From coast to coast, kegs of beer, casks of wine and barrels of whiskey were ceremoniously dumped into sewers. Thirteen years later, the moral experiment known as the 18th Amendment ended. Today, a handful of Islamic nations still have complete bans on alcohol:

KUWAIT. The Koran specifically forbids followers from consuming alcohol. Worldwide, 95% of Muslims don't drink. Grocery stores don't sell it, restaurants don't serve it. However, in most Islamic countries, non-followers of the Koran are allowed to drink. It is legal for businessmen and tourists to drink, so you'll see booze in airports and select hotels. This is not the case in Kuwait. Strict laws prohibit anyone from having even an ounce of liquor.

LIBYA. Prior to the arrival of Col. Gaddafi in 1969, Libya resembled the other Mediterranean countries. It was blessed with fantastic beaches, quaint coastal ports and phenomenal Greco-Roman ruins. Then the Green Book came and everything changed. Visitors and booze were suddenly forbidden. The current dictatorship has only wrenched up the policy.

SAUDI ARABIA. As the guardian of Mecca, it comes as no surprise that Saudi Arabia has most strict interpretation of Koranic law. Upon arrival, luggage is thoroughly searched. Bottles are confiscated and fines are levied. If you arrive drunk, you aren't allowed in. Once inside the Kingdom, the laws become even more severe. The punishment for selling alcohol? 500 lashes.

INDIA. Most of India has no restrictions on alcohol. However, there are two states that have such extraordinary ordinances they deserve mention. The states of Gujarat and Nagaland implement the death penalty for anyone caught manufacturing any form of booze. Yikes. Bihar recently also became dry, which is notable. With 103 million residents, if Bihar were an independent country it would boast the world's 13th largest population.

The remaining nations with outright bans on booze are: Mauritania, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen.