: Was it Obsession? Nineteen Muslims Die After Drinking Cologne

Proving their inexperience at being alcoholics, 19 people in Saudi Arabia have died with an additional 17 being hospitalized after drinking cologne containing methanol, as a substitute for alcoholic beverages. Drinking alcohol in Saudi Arabia is punishable by lashings, fines, and prison terms, but this has not stopped a thriving black market for alcohol in the conservative kingdom, which can drive the cost of whiskey up to $150 a bottle. In the face of these high costs, cheap substitutes such as cologne provide an alternative. Alcoholism is not an unknown problem in Muslim countries, with many turning to it in the face of economic stagnation and political unrest or attracted by its taboo nature. However, if the 36 unlucky cologne-drinkers were so desperate for alcohol, they could have simply driven to Bahrain, which is just next door and has tons of legal booze.

Shahed Amanullah is editor-in-chief of altmuslim.com.