Saudi Arabia is preparing to open its first liquor store in the capital, Riyadh, that will exclusively serve non-Muslim diplomats, according to a source familiar with the plans and a document.
Customers must register through a mobile application, obtain an authorization code from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and respect monthly installments with their purchases, according to the document, to which Reuters had access.
The move is a milestone in the kingdom’s efforts, led by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, to open the ultra-conservative Muslim country to tourism and business, since alcohol consumption is prohibited in Islam.
It is also part of broader plans known as Vision 2030 to build a post-oil economy.
The new store is located in Riyadh’s Diplomatic Quarter, a neighborhood where embassies and diplomats reside, and will be “strictly restricted” to non-Muslims, according to the document.
Saudi Arabia will open its first liquor store to serve non-Muslim diplomats. REUTERS
It was unclear whether other non-Muslim expatriates will have access to the store. Millions of expats live in Saudi Arabia, but most of them are Muslim workers from Asia and Egypt.
A source familiar with the plans said the store is expected to open in the coming weeks.
Saudi Arabia has strict laws against alcohol consumption, which can be punished by hundreds of lashes, deportation, fines or imprisonment, and expats also face deportation. As part of the reforms, canings have largely been replaced by prison sentences.
Alcohol has only been available through diplomatic mail or on the black market.
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Source: vtt.edu.vn