Saudi Arabia is gearing up to inaugurate its maiden alcohol store in the capital city of Riyadh, exclusively catering to non-Muslim diplomats, according to a reliable source and an official document disclosed on Wednesday.
Prospective customers will be required to register through a designated mobile app, obtain a clearance code from the foreign ministry, and adhere to monthly purchase quotas, as outlined in the document.
This development marks a significant milestone in Saudi Arabia’s initiatives, spearheaded by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, to transform the ultra-conservative Muslim nation into a hub for tourism and business. Notably, the consumption of alcohol is strictly forbidden in Islam.
Situated in Riyadh’s Diplomatic Quarter, a locale housing embassies and diplomats, the new store will be “strictly restricted” to non-Muslims, according to the document.
It remains unclear whether other non-Muslim expatriates will be granted access to the establishment, given that the majority of expatriates in Saudi Arabia are Muslim workers from Asia and Egypt.
Insiders familiar with the plans have indicated that the store is anticipated to open its doors in the coming weeks.
Saudi Arabia has long maintained stringent laws against alcohol consumption, with penalties ranging from lashes, fines, and imprisonment to deportation.
As part of ongoing reforms, the practice of whipping has largely been replaced by jail sentences. Until now, alcohol has only been available through diplomatic mail or on the black market.
According to Reuters, the Saudi government has not responded to requests for comments on the matter.
Recent reports from state-controlled media suggest that the government is imposing new restrictions on alcohol imports within diplomatic consignments. This move is expected to bolster demand for the forthcoming alcohol store.
The new regulations aim to control imports and prevent the improper exchange of special goods and alcoholic beverages received by non-Muslim embassies in Saudi Arabia, as reported by the Arab News daily on Sunday.
In recent years, Saudi Arabia, traditionally closed off to the world, has relaxed strict social codes. These changes include ending the segregation of men and women in public places, lifting the requirement for women to wear all-covering black robes (abayas), and allowing women to drive.
These transformations, part of Vision 2030, align with the broader goal of developing local industries, logistics hubs, and generating hundreds of thousands of jobs for Saudi nationals.