Saudi Arabia is about to build its first liquor store in the capital, Riyadh, to serve only non-Muslim diplomats, according to a Reuters source and a document seen on Wednesday.
According to the document obtained by Reuters, customers must register through a mobile application, obtain an authorization code from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and comply with monthly restrictions when making purchases.
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- Who is introducing these changes?
- When will the store open?
- How have people consumed alcohol so far?
Who is introducing these changes?
The capital of Saudi Arabia, Riyadh | Image: Unsplash
The move is a significant step in the kingdom’s efforts, led by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, to open the ultra-conservative Muslim country to tourism and industry, since alcohol consumption is prohibited in Islam.
It is also part of a broader plan called Vision 2030 to create a post-oil economy. The new store, located in Riyadh’s Diplomatic Quarter, a neighborhood populated by embassies and diplomats, will be “strictly restricted” to non-Muslims, according to the newspaper.
It was unclear whether other non-Muslim expatriates would have access to the store. Millions of expatriates live in Saudi Arabia, although the majority are Muslim workers from Asia and Egypt.
When will the store open?
Alcohol was apparently only available through diplomatic mail or on the illegal market | Image file
A source familiar with the planning said the store will open in the coming weeks.
Saudi Arabia has strict rules prohibiting alcohol consumption, which can result in hundreds of lashes, expulsion, fines or imprisonment, and expats face deportation. As part of the revisions, canings have largely been replaced by prison sentences.
How have people consumed alcohol so far?
Alcohol has apparently only been available through diplomatic mail or on the illegal market. Saudi authorities reportedly did not respond to a request for comment.
The new policy will limit imports | Image: BCCL
This week, state-controlled media reported that the government was imposing additional limitations on alcohol imports in diplomatic shipments, perhaps increasing demand for the new store.
The new policy will limit imports to prevent “the improper exchange of special goods and alcoholic beverages received by the embassies of non-Muslim countries within Saudi Arabia,” Arab News reported on Sunday.
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Source: vtt.edu.vn