Reuters: Saudi Arabia prepares to open its first liquor store

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, whose king refers to himself as the “Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques,” is preparing to open the first liquor store in the capital, Riyadh, which will serve non-Muslim diplomats, according to a source familiar with the plans and a document seen by Reuters.

The document states that customers will need to register through a mobile app and obtain a clearance code from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and adhere to what they claimed are “monthly quotas” with their purchases.

This move marks a controversial step in the Kingdom’s efforts, led by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, to change the culture and trajectory of Saudi society, as alcohol consumption is prohibited in Islam, and it is also part of broader plans known as Vision 2030 to build a post-oil economy.

The new store is said to be located in the Diplomatic Quarter of Riyadh, where embassies and diplomats reside, and will be “restricted” to non-Muslims, although it was not clear whether non-Muslim expatriates would have access to the store.

State-controlled media reported this week that the government has imposed new restrictions on alcohol imports within diplomatic shipments, which may boost demand for the new store.

Arab News daily newspaper reported on Sunday that the new regulations will limit imports to counter “improper exchange of private goods and alcoholic beverages received by embassies of non-Muslim countries within the Kingdom.”