HUGE! Saudi Arabia to open first alcohol shop in more than 70 years
This is a significant milestone by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia led by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman who is set to open such a store in the ultra-conservative Muslim country for tourism and business as drinking alcohol is forbidden in Islam
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Riyadh, Jan 25: In a significant development, Saudi Arabia is preparing to open its first alcohol store in the capital Riyadh which will serve exclusively non-Muslim diplomats.
This is a significant milestone by the Kingdom led by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman who is set to open such a store in the ultra-conservative Muslim country for tourism and business as drinking alcohol is forbidden in Islam. It is also part of wider plans known as Vision 2030 to build a post-oil economy.
The new store is located in Riyadh's Diplomatic Quarter, a neighbourhood where embassies and diplomats reside, and will be "strictly restricted" to non-Muslims, the document said. Reports suggest that the store is expected to open in the coming weeks.
Saudi Arabia has strict laws against drinking alcohol which can be punishable by hundreds of lashes, deportation, fines, or imprisonment and expatriates also face deportation. As part of the reforms, whipping has largely been replaced by jail sentences. Alcohol has been available only through diplomatic mail or on the black market.
Saudi Arabia, which was relatively closed off for decades, has in recent years relaxed strict social restrictions including segregating men and women in public places and requiring women to wear all-covering black robes, or abayas.
Prince Mohammed's tightening grip on power has been accompanied by changes which included opening the country for non-religious tourism, concerts and allowing women to drive, as well as a crackdown on dissent and political rivals.
For this, customers will have to register via a mobile app, get a clearance code from the foreign ministry, and respect monthly quotas with their purchases.
This is a significant milestone by the Kingdom led by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman who is set to open such a store in the ultra-conservative Muslim country for tourism and business as drinking alcohol is forbidden in Islam. It is also part of wider plans known as Vision 2030 to build a post-oil economy.
The new store is located in Riyadh's Diplomatic Quarter, a neighbourhood where embassies and diplomats reside, and will be "strictly restricted" to non-Muslims, the document said. Reports suggest that the store is expected to open in the coming weeks.
Reuters: Saudi Arabia will open its first store for alcoholic beverages "for non-Muslim diplomats." pic.twitter.com/6wGR90d2bd
— Warfare Analysis (@warfareanalysis) January 24, 2024
Saudi Arabia has strict laws against drinking alcohol which can be punishable by hundreds of lashes, deportation, fines, or imprisonment and expatriates also face deportation. As part of the reforms, whipping has largely been replaced by jail sentences. Alcohol has been available only through diplomatic mail or on the black market.
Saudi Arabia, which was relatively closed off for decades, has in recent years relaxed strict social restrictions including segregating men and women in public places and requiring women to wear all-covering black robes, or abayas.
Prince Mohammed's tightening grip on power has been accompanied by changes which included opening the country for non-religious tourism, concerts and allowing women to drive, as well as a crackdown on dissent and political rivals.
