- Saudi Arabia is about to open its first liquor shop in decades as it increasingly loosens social restrictions
- Legit.ng understands that the alcohol will only be sold to non-Muslim diplomats, and authorisation must be validated through an app called Diplo
- Saudi Arabia plans to open the licensed store in the coming weeks in Riyadh, according to multiple reports
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is preparing to open its first alcohol store in its capital, Riyadh. According to a list of store rules CNBC said it sighted, the venue is only accessible to non-Muslim diplomats, and authorisation must be validated through an app called Diplo.
The media platform said a Western diplomat based in Riyadh, who does not want to be named, said that their colleagues had already visited the store and that it is “extremely well stocked.”
The store is expected to open in the coming weeks, Reuters reported on Wednesday, January 24. Since it was officially prohibited in 1952, the kingdom has strictly banned alcoholic beverages in the country, Middle East Eye noted.
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The move is a milestone in the kingdom’s efforts, led by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, to open the ultra-conservative Muslim country for tourism and business as drinking alcohol is forbidden in Islam.
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