According to the Associated Press, a liquor store dedicated to non-Muslim diplomats, which opened in January last year in a diplomatic resort in the capital Riyadh, recently began selling liquor to non-Muslim foreigners with “premium residency.”
Premium residency is a visa issued by the Saudi government to high-income professionals such as doctors, engineers, and investors.
There was no notice that the store would expand its liquor sales, but it is said that customers who came after hearing the word of mouth are often seen lining up at the entrance of the store.
There is no guidance on selling alcohol on the exterior of the store, mobile phones and cameras are not allowed to be brought in, and identification checks are also being conducted very thoroughly to check whether they are eligible for use.
Apart from diplomats and foreigners with premium residency, Saudi citizens or ordinary foreigners are still not allowed to purchase alcohol in Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Arabia, an Islamic stalwart, banned alcohol altogether after Prince Mishari, son of founding monarch King Abdulaziz, was intoxicated in 1951 and shot and killed a British diplomat.
As a result, Saudis who want to drink may travel to neighboring countries, such as Bahrain, or smuggle alcohol or illegally brew alcohol.
In addition, it is also popular among young Saudi people to enjoy non-alcoholic beer and other drinks for the purpose of taking pictures on social media or relaxing at festivals.
The Associated Press said the expansion of alcohol sales is the latest example of Saudi Arabia’s once-extremely conservative liberalization experiment.
Saudi Arabia is breaking down religious and customary taboos one by one under “Vision 2030,” an economic and social reform plan led by Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman.
Closed restrictions have been eased in recent years, including allowing women to drive in 2018, holding popular singer concerts, easing strict separation between men and women in public, opening movie theaters and issuing tourist visas.
SAM KIM
US ASIA JOURNAL
