A recent investigative report by The New York Times has exposed the Saudi regime’s covert maneuvers to enable the sale and consumption of alcohol within the sacred lands of the Kingdom. These measures align with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s broader agenda of moral corruption and societal deviation.
The Hidden Door to Alcohol for Elites
The report, authored by financial journalist Rob Copeland, reveals that Saudi Arabia has quietly circumvented its official alcohol ban to accommodate the desires of visiting Wall Street executives and business elites.
Despite the Kingdom’s official prohibition of alcohol, countless “solutions” were made available to visiting financiers, orchestrated under the direction of Saudi authorities. Businessmen attending private events described clandestine arrangements, such as desert trips where alcohol was openly available in exclusive compounds linked to prominent families and government-backed investors.
One venture capitalist recounted a surreal scene where an opulent tea party featuring camel milk served in gold cups transformed at midnight into a full-fledged bar, hidden behind a side door, offering whiskey to attendees.
From Diplomats to Public Availability
The gradual normalization of alcohol sales began with measures targeted at diplomats. International outlets such as The Economist noted in 2021 that Saudi Arabia had opened its first alcohol store for foreign diplomats. This was widely seen as a prelude to broader legalization in luxury resorts along the Red Sea.
While the Kingdom’s rulers claim that most Saudis would abstain from alcohol due to religious reasons, Mohammed bin Salman’s calculated steps over the years indicate a clear trajectory toward full normalization.
Breaking Religious and Social Norms
The Kingdom’s 70-year ban on alcohol began in 1952 under King Abdulaziz. Although the initial motivations were more political than religious, rooted in a scandal involving the drunken murder of a British vice consul, the prohibition was reinforced by Saudi society’s strong adherence to Islamic values. Prominent scholars, such as Sheikh Ibn Uthaymeen, firmly condemned any attempt to legalize alcohol, declaring it tantamount to disbelief for those who permit it.
Under this framework, government initiatives such as rewarding citizens who reported alcohol violations and active enforcement by the religious police became cornerstones of Saudi governance.
However, Mohammed bin Salman has dismantled these structures, systematically undermining societal values and religious tenets. Once a crime punishable by public lashings, alcohol consumption has shifted toward tacit acceptance.
The Hypocrisy of “Halal Bars”
In recent years, Saudi authorities have introduced so-called “halal bars” that offer beverages containing up to 40% alcohol under the guise of legality. These establishments mimic traditional bars in ambiance, design, and service, blurring the line between permissible and forbidden.
Even government-backed surveys on social media have sought to gauge public opinion, using euphemistic terms like “alcoholic beverages” instead of “alcohol” to soften resistance. These steps clearly aim to normalize the sale of alcohol in stages.
The Role of Media and Corporate Interests
State-controlled media, such as the MBC network, have played a significant role in subtly promoting the idea of legalized alcohol. Programs highlighting the dangers of “adulterated” alcohol have shifted the narrative toward advocating for “regulated” alcohol as a safer alternative.
In parallel, high-profile executives have hinted at future changes. In 2021, Joseph Bradley, CEO of Neom, alluded to relaxing alcohol restrictions to attract foreign talent. While officially noncommittal, statements like these underline the Crown Prince’s intention to integrate alcohol sales into the Kingdom’s tourism and economic strategies.
Revelations from Neom and Red Sea Resorts
Leaked plans from Neom’s luxury Sindalah Resort have provided visual proof of preparations to serve alcohol to visitors. Images obtained by The Wall Street Journal depict bars and alcohol offerings as central features of the project, marking a stark departure from Saudi Arabia’s official stance.
Despite public denials, advisors close to the royal court have acknowledged that selling alcohol in embassies is merely the first step toward widespread availability. This agenda aligns with Mohammed bin Salman’s campaign to “liberalize” Saudi society under the guise of modernization.
The Betrayal of Islamic Values
Mohammed bin Salman’s actions openly defy Islamic teachings and undermine the sanctity of the Kingdom as the cradle of Islam. By silencing genuine religious scholars and elevating government-aligned clerics, the Crown Prince has cleared the path for policies that would have been unimaginable in previous decades.
Once a nation that prohibited even the consumption of alcohol on planes flying through its airspace, Saudi Arabia is now on the brink of fully legalizing its sale. This shift represents not only a betrayal of its Islamic identity but also a grave insult to its people and their deeply held values.
