Saudi Arabia is poised to make a groundbreaking stride in broadening its appeal to both tourists and businesses with the imminent opening of its first alcohol store in Riyadh. This establishment, strategically located in Riyadh’s Diplomatic Quarter—a central hub for embassies and diplomats—will exclusively cater to non-Muslim diplomats, marking a progressive shift in the nation’s policies.
Championed by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, this visionary initiative aligns seamlessly with the overarching goals of the Vision 2030 plan. This transformative plan seeks to diversify and strengthen the nation’s economy, reducing its reliance on traditional oil revenues.
Situated in the heart of diplomatic activities, the store’s access will be meticulously regulated. Prospective customers will be required to register through a user-friendly mobile app, secure a clearance code from the foreign ministry, and adhere to monthly purchase quotas, as detailed in a document obtained by Reuters. The store’s accessibility will be explicitly limited to non-Muslims, in accordance with Islamic principles that prohibit alcohol consumption.
Although the document did not explicitly state whether non-Muslim expatriates, beyond diplomats, will be granted access, insider sources anticipate the store’s grand opening in the coming weeks.
Saudi Arabia, historically stringent on alcohol consumption, has implemented severe penalties ranging from lashes, fines, and imprisonment to deportation for expatriates. Recent reforms have shifted towards substituting corporal punishment with incarceration. Until now, access to alcohol was confined to diplomatic channels or the clandestine black market.
This groundbreaking move coincides with newly introduced regulations restricting alcohol imports within diplomatic consignments. The measure is designed to curb the “improper exchange of special goods and alcoholic beverages received by the embassies of non-Muslim countries inside Saudi Arabia,” as reported by Arab News.
