Saudi Arabia To Allow Alcohol Shops?

In Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the sale and consumption of alcohol are strictly prohibited, with violators facing punishments such as lashes, deportations, fines, and imprisonment. Nonetheless, under the leadership of Crown Prince Mohamed bin Salman, the nation has been actively reshaping its tourism industry as part of a broader vision to diversify the economy.

This historic shift in a highly conservative nation has sparked speculation that the Kingdom may consider legalizing alcohol in the foreseeable future.

But, since yesterday evening, after news agency Reuters released an exclusive feed on ‘first alcohol store in Saudi Arabia’, all hell broke loose on internet with the assumption that, finally it is happening.

But, many failed to see the details.

This is what the Reuters report said:

Saudi Arabia is set to inaugurate its inaugural alcohol store in Riyadh, the capital, exclusively catering to non-Muslim diplomats, as per an insider and an associated document. To make purchases, customers will be required to register through a mobile app, obtain a clearance code from the foreign ministry, and adhere to monthly quotas, as outlined in the document seen by Reuters.

So, this facility is only for the diplomatic missions in the capital city, not for all, as some people were talking about.

Then, earlier today, more details emerged.

Saudi government’s Center of International Communication (CIC) told CNN that the new process would center on allocating specific quantities of alcohol goods upon entry into the Kingdom. This aims to address the previous unregulated process, which resulted in an uncontrolled exchange of such goods within the Kingdom.

Then the pertinent question remains – will there be access for the public into the new store meant for the diplomats?

Responding to a query to this, the CIC added that the “new regulatory framework has been introduced to counter the illicit trade of alcohol goods and products received by diplomatic missions.”