Saudi Arabia is planning to permit the sale of alcohol to non-Muslim diplomats for the first time, according to two sources familiar with the plan.
Previously, non-Muslim diplomats had to import alcohol via diplomatic pouches, but now, alcohol “will be sold to non-Muslim diplomats,” as revealed by one of the sources.
The prohibition of alcohol has been in place in Saudi Arabia since 1952, stemming from an incident where one of King Abdulaziz’s sons, in a drunken state, shot dead a British diplomat.
Over the years, there have been rumors that alcohol might become available in the Gulf kingdom amid a series of social reforms introduced under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s Vision 2030 reform agenda. These reforms include the introduction of cinemas and mixed-gender music festivals.
In an official statement on Wednesday, the Saudi government announced the introduction of “a new regulatory framework” aimed at countering the illicit trade of alcohol goods and products received by diplomatic missions.
The statement explained that the new process would focus on allocating specific quantities of alcohol goods upon entry into the Kingdom to control the previous unregulated exchange.
Existing rules in Saudi Arabia have left most of its 32 million people with limited options for consuming alcohol.
Besides attending diplomatic receptions, individuals resort to making homemade wine or turning to the black market, where prices for bottles of whiskey can soar ahead of occasions like New Year’s Eve.
It’s important to note that under Saudi law, penalties for the consumption or possession of alcohol can include fines, imprisonment, public flogging, and deportation for foreigners.
