Preparing to open the first alcohol store in the country Saudi Arabia. In the capital, Riyadh, the liquor store is available only for non-Muslim diplomats. Eligible customers must register through a mobile app to receive liquor. They can then obtain a clearance code from the Ministry of External Affairs and purchase liquor. A monthly quota of alcohol will be fixed. The store is expected to open in the coming weeks.
Bars were not allowed in Saudi Arabia, an ultra-conservative Muslim country, as alcohol is forbidden in Islam. The move is a milestone in efforts led by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to open up the country more freely to tourism and business. It is part of a broader plan known as Vision 2030 to build a better economy.
The new store is located in Riyadh’s Diplomatic Quarter, a neighborhood home to embassies and diplomats. This service will be strictly limited to non-Muslims only. Meanwhile, it is unclear whether other non-Muslim expatriates will have access to the store. Although millions of expatriates live in Saudi Arabia, most of them are Muslim workers from Asia and Egypt.
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Saudi Arabia has strict laws against alcohol consumption. The usual punishment is hundreds of lashes, banishment, fines or imprisonment. Violators face deportation if they are non-residents. Recent reforms have replaced whipping with prison terms.
Until now, alcohol was available in the country only through diplomatic mail or the black market. The media had reported that the government would impose new restrictions on the import of alcohol as part of diplomatic consignments. The new regulation may be implemented to prevent the improper exchange of special items and alcoholic beverages received by embassies of non-Muslim countries in Saudi Arabia. This is expected to increase demand for new stores.
Saudi Arabia, which has been relatively restrictive for decades, has relaxed social rules in recent years. Laws were relaxed, including segregating men and women in public places and requiring women to wear body-covering black dresses or abayas. Saudi Arabia has witnessed changes including opening up the country to secular tourism, allowing women to drive, and easing repression of dissent and political opponents. Vision 2030 also includes developing regional industries and logistics hubs. Also aims to ensure lakhs of jobs for Saudi citizens.
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2024-01-24 15:08:03
