The seminar on the development of alcohol-free environments gathered nearly 60 people, mostly Muslims, in the 3rd floor of Driv Student House, Friday, 30 April. It was a rewarding, inspiring and productive evening, in spite of the unexpected disturbance of high music and delays.
An hour later than planned, due to the loud noise from downstairs, and to make room for the afternoon prayer, presented Brother Sadiq the evening's goals and program.
Rahma Søvik from INS Tromsø held the first evening's lecture: "When alcohol is something, of course"
After a break in the dining salon with nice sandwhiches, coffee and tea, held Hassan Bakil from Alnor Senter the lecture: "Why is alcohol forbidden in Islam?"
We then went directly to Magne Richardsen from DNT who gave the lecture "Alcohol ABC" with surprising, exciting, and seriously heavy information about alcohol culture, alcohol industry's aggressive marketing and working methods, negative and harmful consequences, and its effect on the integration of minority groups.
Afterwards the debate was on several themes:
1. Position Work in Schools; effect or not?
Knowledge of the alcohol industry and alcohol's harmful effects will affect the youth and get them to think in new directions. That alcohol policies have a greater effect, no doubt.
2. How to help adolescents cope with pressures drinking?
3. How do we handle situations where we are offered alcohol?
As Muslims, we explain that we do not drink because we are Muslims, and we seem to have respect for it. In explaining why we have this prohibition, we affect those we interact with to also abstain from alcohol.
4. What are the possibilities to form a local office for DNT?
There is interest in the topic from both the Christian and the Muslim community. We have also established contact with people both at the university and the town hall, and can imagine that such local involvement is anticipated. Some just need to start. We need an alcohol policy training courses, and we need to learn more about "counterforce"; alcohol industry.
