THIS IMAAM WALKS INTO A PUB/BAR......

[2ndtoNone]

BRITAIN'S first Muslim "pub" has opened - with snooker and darts, but no booze.

Regulars at the Halal Inn sip fruit juice, soft drinks or a cuppa.

Traditional Islamic songs are piped into the bar, where boards are on hand for karam, a billiards-style game popular across Asia.

The local - which caters mainly for men - in Oldham, Greater Manchester, also boasts a restaurant, prayer room and steam room.

And it has already proved a hit with the local Imam - who enjoyed a fruit juice during a brief visit.

Owner Azizur Rahman spotted a gap in the market and took over what was the Westwood Pub.

Mr Khan said: "It's a gathering place for people who abide by strict Islamic rulings and don't like going to places where they serve alcohol.

"As a non-alcoholic venue it will appeal to Muslims more, but it is essentially for people from all backgrounds. We chose the name Halal Inn because, if you follow the word to the tee, it means being of good character and having food that is clean."

The venue, open from 4.30pm to 11.30pm seven days a week, will even host Islamic quiz nights.

Food on offer includes freshly-made poppadoms, chicken pakora, sheek kebabs and the lamb dish saag gosht.

Mr Parvez a local said '' The Halaal Inn feels like a pub and not glorified cafe, but the all male environment left me feeling as flat as my diet coke.''

Bar worker Yaris Ali said: "We still get people who come in and ask for a pint."

I'd rather be out that inn.

[Paddington Bear]

Do they have their fruit juice in pint glasses, I wonder.

[AbdiWahab252]

Paddington,

Do they serve non alcoholic beer ? Or perhaps sparkling Apple Cider (aka fake champagne) ?

What kind of establishment shuts down at 11.30 pm ? How is this different from a Shiisha bar ?

Anyways, operating a successful night spot is not easy

[Paddington Bear]

Paddington,

Do they serve non alcoholic beer ? Or perhaps sparkling Apple Cider (aka fake champagne) ?

What kind of establishment shuts down at 11.30 pm ? How is this different from a Shiisha bar ?

Anyways, operating a successful night spot is not easy

It's the north of England, Abdi. Everywhere shuts by midnight.

Yes, they have fake beer and champagne made of dates but I can't help thinking all this is similar to a woman wearing a see-through jilbab. Pointless.
Anyway, they're Indians/Pakistani, they don't know the concept of a 'maqaaxi', which is why they're excited about this little 'pub'.