The regular Islamic practicing country Saudi Arabia, had planned to allow alcohol sales to non-Muslim diplomats for the first time. Sources told newsmen on Wednesday, modifying strict rules governing liquor in the conservative country.
According to one of the sources, said: Alcohol “will be sold to non-Muslim diplomats” who previously had to import alcohol via a diplomatic pouch, or sealed official package.
The country prohibited sales of alcohol since 1952, shortly after one of King Abdulaziz’s sons got drunk and in a rage, shot dead a British diplomat.
Recall, it had been rumoured for years that alcohol would be available in the country amidst social reforms introduced as part of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s Vision 2030 reform agenda, which will include the introduction of cinemas and mixed-gender music festivals.
Meanwhile, Saudi government has on Wednesday in it’s statement said: authorities were introducing “a new regulatory framework… to counter the illicit trade of alcohol goods and products received by diplomatic missions.”
“The new process will focus on allocating specific quantities of alcohol goods when entering the Kingdom to put an end to the previous unregulated process that caused an uncontrolled exchange of such goods in the Kingdom.” Which the statement simply means that much would not be changed immediately for the 32 million majority of Saudi Arabians who have their few ways of getting it, unless they are willing to travel out of the kingdom to other countries.
Given that alcohol is forbidden in Islam, the issue remains sensitive in the country that is home to the religion’s holiest sites in the cities of Mecca and Medina.
But under the Saudi Arabian’s law, the penalties for possession or consumption of alcohol may include public flogging, jail time, fines and deportation for foreigners.
In Riyadh’s Diplomatic Quarter, beyond attending diplomatic receptions, they can make homemade wine or turn to the black market, where bottles of whiskey can go for hundreds of dollars ahead of holidays like New Year’s Eve.
Saudi officials had until Wednesday dismissed suggestions of any major policy change.
And when asked by Princess Haifa Al Saud, deputy tourism minister, at the World Economic Forum in Davos in 2022, she said: “The short answer is, we are going to continue with our current laws.”