It’s inevitable, you will be asked about this! whether on a freelancing gig or at a job interview!
Will you write about Alcohol!… and for some reason if I say “Yes”…I get the weird look! and of I say “No” I get the weird look as well!
My Final answer would be , it depends! .. YES I Am a Muslim and I do write about Alcohol!
The idea here is, I deal with it as anything else I would write about. it’s a subject that I tackle as if I tackle writing about birds, travelling, food or cars! I would tackle it from my point of view, based on my experience and pure scientific research .
My point is , I would write what I know and learned about, that’s it in simple words!
I am definitely not qualified to talk about the experience side as a drinker, since I myself have never drank alcohol, but I was in a place where I saw people drink socially, leisurely and believe it or not for a medical research! I would be able to do a full research about origins, medical implications social impression , etc.. but I definitely will not be able to sell you a can of alcohol simply because I have never sold one or bought one…ever!
Case Study:
I once were asked to write content about a certain type of ammunition and guns for the purpose of selling accessories of these guns ( basically safety tools and cleaning gear), sarcastically at the same time I was approached by a well-known alcohol brand who were looking for someone who have similar profile as mine ( being a Muslim woman, conservative yet open minded, middle eastern and professional) to write an article about the best ways to introduce your son or daughter to alcohol as a responsible parent!
My Go to answer was “NO” to both!. But I ended up writing both articles after weighing the pros and cons!
Was I selling any of these to people, not really! Both articles were talking about being responsible as a consumer! I was past the stage of selling and stood as guide, so technically my words might have actually helped save a life ! somehow!
My approach to writing about such sensitive subjects has always been somewhat conservative and extensively responsible! I did turn down many gigs where the subject matter were against my ethical code and it had nothing to do with if the product is alcohol or not!
The only evaluation tool a Muslim Content Writer should use is his or her CODE OF ETHICS and Conscience!
Our words stick for a very long time, long after we leave life…. so choose to choose them wisely!