A senior Saudi official has denied recent reports from a number of foreign news agencies suggesting the Kingdom may allow a change in it strict ban on all alcohol, following flurry of chatter online and overseas, and after news services claimed — but not confirmed — that Saudi officials may be open to discuss a limited amount of alcohol being sold to non-Muslims.
The reports created a buzz online, especially among not only expatriate communities, but others who are following Saudi Arabia’s steady move into modernization. However, the Kingdom was prompt to deny the reports.
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“These claims are entirely false,” said an anonymous spokesperson to local media. “The Kingdom’s stance regarding alcohol remains unchanged with no thought of changing this status”.
The Kingdom has some of the strictest alcohol laws in the world. Possession, consumption and trading of alcohol is unlawful and there are serious penalties for these actions including imprisonment, and if you are a foreign national, deportation. These laws follow the strict Islamic law that is still accentuated in the Saudi Arabia government.
This speculation appears to have developed from an announcement about a new duty free shop in the Riyadh international airport, in which it mentioned this area being a non-Muslim area. Many interpreted this to mean that alcohol would be sold in the area, however, there have now been a number of comments made by the government that limitations to any alcohol would only apply to anything sold or stocked inside of this area, and frankly some people are failing to note this before making any further interpretations, then failing to take note of the limitations before clarifying conclusions.
Observers note that such rumors have surfaced before. With the country undergoing sweeping social reforms — including allowing women to drive, hosting international events, and opening its borders wider to tourism — it’s not surprising that many wonder if the alcohol policy could eventually soften. Still, officials have repeatedly emphasized that core religious values will not be compromised, no matter how modern the Kingdom becomes.
Public reaction within Saudi Arabia has been largely in support of maintaining the ban. Many Saudis see the law as a reflection of their faith and identity. Some commentators online even criticized foreign media for what they described as “wishful reporting” and misrepresentation of facts.
So, for now, it’s business as usual. The rumors have been dismissed, and the message from the top is clear: Saudi Arabia isn’t opening the door to alcohol — not now, and not anytime soon.
