As a cultural Muslim, @rok-sivante, I admit to being disheartened to read this.

I drink, as do many of my family and friends, and we don’t judge others who don’t. Shar’ia means different things in different contexts: Africa, Middle East, Far East, etc...

Culture trumps religion, in my experience, and politics & economics play a big part. If you’re interested in listening to progressive voices on this subject, I recommend the likes of Mehdi Hassan, Craig Considine, Mona el Tahawy, Reza Aslan and Hamza Yusuf.

All these are articulate, eloquent voices of Islam, today, and embodiments of its diversity. It’s a pity with so much widespread ignorance and hatred of the faith that they are not better heard. I hope this might be of help.