Saudi Arabia is set to open its first alcohol store in Riyadh, a groundbreaking move aimed exclusively at catering to non-Muslim diplomats. This strategic step, spearheaded by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, is a significant milestone in the kingdom’s endeavors to diversify its economy beyond oil, as outlined in the Vision 2030 initiative. The upcoming store, situated in Riyadh’s Diplomatic Quarter, signifies a paradigm shift in the conservative Muslim country’s approach to tourism and business, acknowledging the need to accommodate non-Muslim practices in alignment with broader economic reforms.
Prospective customers for the alcohol store will be required to register through a mobile app and obtain a clearance code from the foreign ministry. Monthly purchase quotas will be enforced to regulate alcohol consumption among non-Muslim diplomats. The document detailing these procedures emphasizes the store’s “strictly restricted” access to non-Muslims, ensuring conformity with Islamic norms while catering to the specific needs of the diplomatic community residing in the capital.
The chosen location for the alcohol store within Riyadh’s Diplomatic Quarter is strategic, considering it houses embassies and residences of foreign diplomats. While the document does not explicitly mention access for other non-Muslim expatriates, it suggests a targeted approach towards diplomats, leaving the broader expatriate population’s eligibility unclear. Given that millions of expatriates reside in Saudi Arabia, predominantly Muslim workers from Asia and Egypt, the store’s exclusive nature raises questions about potential future expansions of access.
Saudi Arabia has historically maintained stringent laws against alcohol consumption, with penalties ranging from lashes, fines, imprisonment to deportation. The introduction of the alcohol store for diplomats is a significant departure from past practices where alcohol was only accessible through diplomatic channels or the black market. The move aligns with ongoing reforms that have seen a shift from corporal punishment to jail sentences for alcohol-related offenses.
The government’s Center of International Communication (CIC) acknowledged the new regulations concerning alcohol imports within diplomatic consignments. While the statement did not explicitly address the impending alcohol store, it emphasized that the framework respected international diplomatic conventions and aimed to counter the illicit trade of alcohol goods. The move signifies the government’s commitment to ensuring non-Muslim diplomats have access to alcohol products within specified quotas, further reinforcing the diplomatic approach to regulating alcohol consumption.
In recent years, Saudi Arabia has witnessed a series of social reforms aimed at modernizing the country. Changes include the relaxation of strict social codes, such as the segregation of men and women in public spaces and the mandatory wearing of all-covering black robes (abayas) for women. Prince Mohammed’s leadership has coincided with an opening of the country for non-religious tourism, hosting concerts, permitting women to drive, and a crackdown on dissent and political rivals.
The alcohol store initiative aligns with Vision 2030, a comprehensive plan to diversify Saudi Arabia’s economy by developing local industries and logistics hubs. In addition to economic goals, Vision 2030 aims to create job opportunities for Saudi nationals and position the country as a destination for non-religious tourism. The alcohol store for diplomats reflects a nuanced approach to cultural and economic reforms in a country with a deeply rooted conservative history.
