- Saudi Arabia is set to allow public alcohol sales through a new store exclusively for non-Muslim diplomats, marking a major shift in decades-old regulations.
- The authorised alcohol shop in Riyadh supports the broader economic diversification plan led by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
For the first time in decades, Saudi Arabia is set to permit the public sale of alcohol, establishing a store in the capital city of Riyadh that exclusively caters to non-Muslim diplomats. This proposed amendment aims to modify the rigorous regulations overseeing the distribution of alcoholic beverages in the sacred and holy land of Muslims, which holds the origins of Islam. Non-Muslim diplomats, who were previously restricted to importing alcohol via diplomatic pouches or sealed official packages, are expected to be afforded the chance to directly acquire alcohol under the envisioned policy change, as indicated by one source.
Speculations have persistently circulated for years, suggesting the potential availability of alcohol in the Gulf kingdom. This conjecture aligned with a series of reforms implemented under the aegis of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s Vision 2030 reform agenda. Notable among these reforms are the inauguration of cinemas and the organization of mixed-gender music festivals.
In a statement released on Wednesday, the Saudi government officially declared the initiation of measures to introduce alcohol, marking great significance in the ongoing transformative initiatives within the nation, “a new regulatory framework… to counter the illicit trade of alcohol goods and products received by diplomatic missions”. The statement added: “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.”
It is noteworthy that other Gulf states, such as the United Arab Emirates, have permitted non-Muslims to consume alcoholic beverages in hotels and licensed restaurants for several years.
The alcohol shop in Riyadh’s diplomatic quarter is exclusively accessible to registered diplomats, as outlined in the “store guidelines”. To enter and make purchases, diplomats must employ a designated app to verify their identity. Admittance is explicitly confined to non-Muslims, with strict guidelines in place such as a ban on photography and the requirement to secure mobile phones in special bags while inside the store. The guidelines also establish a points system to regulate monthly alcohol sales for registered individuals, permitting quantities such as up to 40 liters of spirits, 80 liters of wine, or 240 liters of beer.
“Apparently the place is extremely well stocked,” asserted one western diplomat.
As Riyadh’s initiatives to develop tourism resorts along the Red Sea, speculation arises regarding the potential allowance of alcohol sales to non-Muslim patrons in regulated areas. There is a growing inquiry into whether Prince Mohammed would extend this permission, especially as the tourism sector gains momentum, marked by discussions on the possibility of serving alcoholic beverages on Riyadh Air, the kingdom’s newest airline. Executives have occasionally sidestepped addressing this question.
Tourism stands as a pivotal component of the crown prince’s economic diversification plan, aiming to stimulate non-oil business in the world’s largest oil-exporting nation.
