Saudi Arabia prepares to open first alcohol store for diplomats

[The Bald Eagle]

Saudi Arabia is preparing to open its first alcohol store in the capital Riyadh which will serve exclusively non-Muslim diplomats, according to a source familiar with the plans and a document.

Customers will have to register via a mobile app, get a clearance code from the foreign ministry, and respect monthly quotas with their purchases, said the document, which was seen by Reuters. The move is a milestone in the kingdom's efforts, led by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, to open the ultra-conservative Muslim country for tourism and business as drinking alcohol is forbidden in Islam.

It is also part of wider plans known as Vision 2030 to build a post-oil economy.
The new store is located in Riyadh's Diplomatic Quarter, a neighbourhood where embassies and diplomats reside, and will be "strictly restricted" to non-Muslims, the document said.
It was unclear if other non-Muslim expatriates will have access to the store. Millions of expatriates live in Saudi Arabia but most of them are Muslim workers from Asia and Egypt.

A source familiar with the plans said the store is expected to open in the coming weeks. Saudi Arabia has strict laws against drinking alcohol which can be punishable by hundreds of lashes, deportation, fines, or imprisonment and expatriates also face deportation. As part of the reforms, whipping has largely been replaced by jail sentences.

Alcohol has been available only through diplomatic mail or on the black market.

Source : Reuters

 

[Champ_Pal]

Only a matter of time before everyone can access Alcohol in Saudia.

 

[MenInG]

Only a matter of time before everyone can access Alcohol in Saudia.

Well, they are a conservative society

 

[Kroll]

Its basically a first step to accommodating all the alkies that will arrive for the 34 World Cup.

 

[KingKhanWC]

Its basically a first step to accommodating all the alkies that will arrive for the 34 World Cup.

Also for the concerts, boxing, ufc and other events they are planning.

Many Muslims also drink esp those not living in Saudi but visit. They will get others to buy for them, some will be arrested im sure in the future.

 

[The Bald Eagle]

Saudis are changing but not for the good reasons.

 

[KingKhanWC]

Saudis are changing but not for the good reasons.

I never knew this .

While alcohol is forbidden under Islam, Saudi Arabia had until 1952 held a conciliatory attitude to its presence inside the kingdom.
That changed after Mishari bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, a prince, shot dead Cyril Ousman, the British vice-consul in Jeddah, in 1951 for refusing to pour him another drink at a function.
A year later, King Abdulaziz imposed a total ban on alcohol. Mishari was convicted of murder.

Saudi Arabia to get first alcohol shop in more than 70 years

The Saudi government plans a store in Riyadh for foreign diplomats - ending decades of prohibition.

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[The Bald Eagle]

I never knew this .

While alcohol is forbidden under Islam, Saudi Arabia had until 1952 held a conciliatory attitude to its presence inside the kingdom.
That changed after Mishari bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, a prince, shot dead Cyril Ousman, the British vice-consul in Jeddah, in 1951 for refusing to pour him another drink at a function.
A year later, King Abdulaziz imposed a total ban on alcohol. Mishari was convicted of murder.

Saudi Arabia to get first alcohol shop in more than 70 years

The Saudi government plans a store in Riyadh for foreign diplomats - ending decades of prohibition.

www.bbc.co.uk

It appears that crown prince MBS won't stop on lifting liquor ban only. He would also promote promiscuity, concerts and obscenity in the Kingdom that would soon cause it's downfall.

 

[KingKhanWC]

It appears that crown prince MBS won't stop on lifting liquor ban only. He would also promote promiscuity, concerts and obscenity in the Kingdom that would soon cause it's downfall.

He's well on the way, one famous female US singer, sang a song called 'Godess' which had lyrics calling people to bow down to her. She was also wearing attire, leading to police stopping her. She later condemned the authorities to give power to women.

The Saudi rulers were installed by the British to keep control of the holy land, now they are openly acting like secular liberals.

When the crown prince's father dies, there will be a conflict to see who takes control, remember he has many in house arrest. It may even spark some sort of civil war in the nation.

 

[The Bald Eagle]

He's well on the way, one famous female US singer, sang a song called 'Godess' which had lyrics calling people to bow down to her. She was also wearing attire, leading to police stopping her. She later condemned the authorities to give power to women.

The Saudi rulers were installed by the British to keep control of the holy land, now they are openly acting like secular liberals.

When the crown prince's father dies, there will be a conflict to see who takes control, remember he has many in house arrest. It may even spark some sort of civil war in the nation.

Totally agree with you bro,an infighting among princes coming in future

 

[FearlessRoar]

Saudi Arabia is undergoing a transformation into a modern and digital country under the leadership of MBS.

 

[Major]

It appears that crown prince MBS won't stop on lifting liquor ban only. He would also promote promiscuity, concerts and obscenity in the Kingdom that would soon cause it's downfall.

obscenity, downfall?

Alcahol never caused a downfall of govts in West or in UAE

Pakistan has a factory that produces Pakistani made Beer, Whiskey, Gin and Lager. Its called Murree Brewary.

Serving alcohol to diplomats and foreigners isnt a bad thing and something that Pakistan and UAE does. Whats soo bad about concerts? I am glad that Saudi youth can now enjoy concerts and enjoy life.

The crown prince is bringing the country to 21st century and is rightly modernizing the country. He knows what issues there are in Saudia and making the right decisions.

Saudia is more likely to face a downfall if it does not come up with an economy that doesnt rely on oil that is depleting day by day. MBS has taken the right steps by modernizing and opening up the country.

 

[The Bald Eagle]

obscenity, downfall?

Alcahol never caused a downfall of govts in West or in UAE

Pakistan has a factory that produces Pakistani made Beer, Whiskey, Gin and Lager. Its called Murree Brewary.

Serving alcohol to diplomats and foreigners isnt a bad thing and something that Pakistan and UAE does. Whats soo bad about concerts? I am glad that Saudi youth can now enjoy concerts and enjoy life.

The crown prince is bringing the country to 21st century and is rightly modernizing the country. He knows what issues there are in Saudia and making the right decisions.

Saudia is more likely to face a downfall if it does not come up with an economy that doesnt rely on oil that is depleting day by day. MBS has taken the right steps by modernizing and opening up the country.

Bro there are many things going on behind the scenes. They may be are not evident now but soon you will observe that.

 

[Major]

Saudi Arabia is undergoing a transformation into a modern and digital country under the leadership of MBS.

And this is great news.

Muslims have issue with this as they believe Saudi Arabia equals to the place where Prophet Muhammad grew up, but Saudi Arabia did not exist back than. The whole middle east was the Arab peninsula and Prophet Muhammad lived in Makkah and Madina which is known as Hejaz today.

Offcourse the concerts or sale of alcahol wont be taking place in the holygrounds.

It reminds me of Pakistani facebook users that start saying Astagfar and post sad emojis when the they sew greenary in Saudi Arabia. Bhai, day of judgement will take place either way, Saudia is a massive dessert, so a bit of greenary would make the living conditions on earth better for the locals

 

[Cricket Warrior]

Saudi Arabia is undergoing a transformation into a modern and digital country under the leadership of MBS.

I really don't consider it modernization in which they r trying to mold things against their culture just to please their bosses.

 

[KingKhanWC]

obscenity, downfall?

Alcahol never caused a downfall of govts in West or in UAE

Pakistan has a factory that produces Pakistani made Beer, Whiskey, Gin and Lager. Its called Murree Brewary.

Serving alcohol to diplomats and foreigners isnt a bad thing and something that Pakistan and UAE does. Whats soo bad about concerts? I am glad that Saudi youth can now enjoy concerts and enjoy life.

The crown prince is bringing the country to 21st century and is rightly modernizing the country. He knows what issues there are in Saudia and making the right decisions.

Saudia is more likely to face a downfall if it does not come up with an economy that doesnt rely on oil that is depleting day by day. MBS has taken the right steps by modernizing and opening up the country.

Sorry but its clear you must made this up lol.

Saudi alone have over 100 billion barrels of reserves. They can start looking for new reserves , its estimated they have over 270 billion barrels ready to be tapped. They will have oil for another 100 years or potentially have oil for many centuries to come.

The oil is just an excuse to liberalise Saudi Arabia.

 

[kingusama92]

Sorry but its clear you must made this up lol.

Saudi alone have over 100 billion barrels of reserves. They can start looking for new reserves , its estimated they have over 270 billion barrels ready to be tapped. They will have oil for another 100 years or potentially have oil for many centuries to come.

The oil is just an excuse to liberalise Saudi Arabia.

My guess is it might be the demand that's more of a concern.

Oil demand is going to plummet in 20-30 years. Not to zero but enough to hit their bottom line and I think they want to prepare for this. The best way they can offset this risk is to either reduce the fixed cost (per barrel) or to build more demand in third-world countries.

On paper, it probably makes sense to diversify risk like they are.

There has to be political reasoning behind it too otherwise they would further lean on strict policies to maintain their hold. Perhaps it's what the locals want?

 

[KingKhanWC]

My guess is it might be the demand that's more of a concern.

Oil demand is going to plummet in 20-30 years. Not to zero but enough to hit their bottom line and I think they want to prepare for this. The best way they can offset this risk is to either reduce the fixed cost (per barrel) or to build more demand in third-world countries.

On paper, it probably makes sense to diversify risk like they are.

There has to be political reasoning behind it too otherwise they would further lean on strict policies to maintain their hold. Perhaps it's what the locals want?

Yes this makes more sense.

Electric cars, solar energy, wind etc are being heavily promoted in the western nations. Not they care for climate change but because they know the land of oil could be their enemy at any time due to their crazy mindless wars and genocides there.

 

[BouncerGuy]

These kinds of things were not expected from the Saudi state as a Muslim country. They have gone against the Islamic teaching and their downfall will start soon. Having too much oil is not am excuse to bring western culture to the replace Islamic culture. Not acceptable at all.

 

[CricketCartoons]

These things might suit UAE, not Saudi Arabia which is not just custodian of the Holy sites, but of the very fountainhead of Islam. But let Muslims be the judge as it is an internal matter.

 

[BouncerGuy]

These things might suit UAE, not Saudi Arabia which is not just custodian of the Holy sites, but of the very fountainhead of Islam. But let Muslims be the judge as it is an internal matter.

Yes, you're right. Even though this things suit no nation, no Islamic nation just to be more precise, let alone a country like Saudi. They call themselves the savior and custodian of Islam and look what they are doing. Cinemas, alcohol store? seriously.

 

[Varun]

About time.

 

[LongHorn]

If MBS can invite BJP politicians to Masjid un nabawi then anything is possible

 

[Major]

These things might suit UAE, not Saudi Arabia which is not just custodian of the Holy sites, but of the very fountainhead of Islam. But let Muslims be the judge as it is an internal matter.

The holy sites are just a belt called hejaz.

Saudi arabia is a big country. The good thing is, atleast they are not ending up destructing the economy of there country just for the sake of theology.

This is not even an internal matter of muslims. But more like an internal matter of the Saudis..

We enjoy these things in our muslim countries but have issue when Saudi brings those same things that are already happening underground.

I think muslims need to first accept that just cause they are muslims, Saudi isnt theirs but belongs to the people that live in it

 

[Major]

Yes, you're right. Even though this things suit no nation, no Islamic nation just to be more precise, let alone a country like Saudi. They call themselves the savior and custodian of Islam and look what they are doing. Cinemas, alcohol store? seriously.

So its ok for you to have a cinema in your city but not ok for local suadis to have their own cinema?

Whats next? Astagfar, the saudis eat fast food fried chicken from al baik, and not the traditional food cooked on a bon fire?

 

[BouncerGuy]

So its ok for you to have a cinema in your city but not ok for local suadis to have their own cinema?

Whats next? Astagfar, the saudis eat fast food fried chicken from al baik, and not the traditional food cooked on a bon fire?

I never went to the cinema and there is none in my city tbh and I do not support these anywhere. This is my view, you all don't have to share the same thought bro.

 

[The Bald Eagle]

If MBS can invite BJP politicians to Masjid un nabawi then anything is possible

Only this thing is enough for Saudis to topple their so called custodians of Ummah leaders

 

[DeadlyVenom]

There is no harm in inviting the BJP leader.

At the time of the Prophet non-muslim delegations would enter the city to speak to muslims.

The BJP lady is head of minority affairs. Millions of the people she represents travel to Madina each year. There is no issue with her coming and speaking on behalf of them.

There is also nothing technically wrong with alcohol being available to non muslims.
However in Saudi the initiative is under the sponsorship of the king....who is also self declared custodian of the two holy mosques. That's a big conflict of interest.

 

[The Bald Eagle]

There is no harm in inviting the BJP leader.

At the time of the Prophet non-muslim delegations would enter the city to speak to muslims.

The BJP lady is head of minority affairs. Millions of the people she represents travel to Madina each year. There is no issue with her coming and speaking on behalf of them.

There is also nothing technically wrong with alcohol being available to non muslims.
However in Saudi the initiative is under the sponsorship of the king....who is also self declared custodian of the two holy mosques. That's a big conflict of interest.

Yep your points are fair but bro its not just diplomats. On Youtube you find many other non muslims coming to Makkah and Madina too like Vloggers ,how is it possible? unless mbs has revised the policy on non entrance of non muslims in scared cities.

 

[Cricket Warrior]

Under MBS many such things are going to happen in Saudi Arabia that we never thought of before because they consider it modernization.

 

[KingKhanWC]

There is no harm in inviting the BJP leader.

At the time of the Prophet non-muslim delegations would enter the city to speak to muslims.

The BJP lady is head of minority affairs. Millions of the people she represents travel to Madina each year. There is no issue with her coming and speaking on behalf of them.

There is also nothing technically wrong with alcohol being available to non muslims.
However in Saudi the initiative is under the sponsorship of the king....who is also self declared custodian of the two holy mosques. That's a big conflict of interest.

Unless she has a vision a Hindu Temple was built under the Prophet(pbuh) masjid.

You are correct of course in general terms. However due to the BJP/RSS views, any Muslim ruler esp the custodian of the two holy cities, would demand she clairfy her views on Islam first? The Prohpet(pbuh) was stong when it came to the oppression of Muslims.

 

[Major]

There is no harm in inviting the BJP leader.

At the time of the Prophet non-muslim delegations would enter the city to speak to muslims.

The BJP lady is head of minority affairs. Millions of the people she represents travel to Madina each year. There is no issue with her coming and speaking on behalf of them.

There is also nothing technically wrong with alcohol being available to non muslims.
However in Saudi the initiative is under the sponsorship of the king....who is also self declared custodian of the two holy mosques. That's a big conflict of interest.

If the locals have no issue, who are we to whine about things that we find in our own country?