Iraqi parliament passes bill banning alcohol

Iraq's parliament has passed a law forbidding the import, production or selling of alcoholic beverages in a surprise move that angered many in the country's Christian community who rely on the business.

The law, passed late on Saturday night, imposes a fine of up to 25 million Iraqi dinars, or $21 000, for anyone violating the ban. But it's unclear how strictly the law would be enforced, and it could be struck down by the supreme court.

Islam forbids the consumption of alcohol, but it has always been available in Iraq's larger cities, mainly from shops run by Christians. Those shops are currently closed because of the Shi'ite holy month of Muharram.