ASIATODAY.ID, RIYADH – Saudi Arabia plans to open an alcohol shop for sales to non-Muslim diplomats for the first time.
According to sources familiar with the plan on Wednesday, January 24, 2024, this plan will change the strict rules governing liquor in the conservative country.
To obtain alcoholic beverages, non-Muslim diplomats previously had to import via diplomatic bags, or sealed official packages.
The sale will take place at a shop in Riyadh’s diplomatic area, west of the city center.
Access to the store will be limited to people who register on the app known as the Diplo app, and monthly quotas will be enforced.
A ban on alcohol has been the law of the land in Saudi Arabia since 1952, shortly after one of King Abdulaziz’s sons got drunk and, in a fit of rage, shot dead a British diplomat.
Rumors have circulated for years that alcohol would be available in the Gulf kingdom amid a wave of social reforms introduced as part of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s vision 2030 agenda.
The policies include the introduction of cinemas and music festivals that allow genders to mix.
A Saudi government statement on Wednesday said authorities introduced a new regulatory framework to counter the illicit trade in goods and alcoholic products received by diplomatic missions.
“This new process will focus on allocating certain quantities of alcoholic goods when entering the Kingdom to end the previously unregulated process that led to the uncontrolled exchange of such goods,” it explained.
The policy will continue to provide and ensure that all diplomats in non-Muslim embassies have access to these products within a certain quota.
“No one under the age of 21 is permitted to enter the store, appropriate attire is required,” it explained.
Those who register with the app cannot send relatives, drivers, assistants or co-workers to replace them in carrying out transactions.
Under the quota system, those given permission to access the shop will be able to purchase 240 points of alcohol per month. A liter of spirits is worth six points, a liter of wine is worth three points, and a liter of beer is worth one point. (ATN)
Check out other news and articles at Google News