Non-Muslim expats living in Saudi Arabia have been reminded not break the strict rules on eating or drinking during Ramadan, or face deportation.
According to local media reports, the Saudi ministry of interior issued a press statement when the holy month began last week urging expats “to respect the sentiments of Muslims by not eating, drinking and smoking in public places, including roads and workplaces” during fasting hours.
“Being a non-believer of Islam does not exempt an expatriate from being inconsiderate of the feelings of Muslims and the Islamic symbols of this country,” the statement warned, adding that anyone found breaking the rules could have their visas cancelled.
During Ramadan, the ninth month of the Muslim year, Muslims cannot let anything pass between their lips between sunrise and sunset.
The British embassy in Riyadh warns on its website that expats living in Saudi Arabia should be aware that “strict penalties, including deportation, can be incurred” if they are caught breaking the rules.
The oil-rich kingdom is home to some 27 million people, of whom around a third are foreign workers.
Some expats expressed frustration at the ministry of interior's stance, with one posting on the Al Arabiya news website “I am flabbergasted by the extremity of their threatened response… what happened to the good old warning or fine?"
Tim Hall, a Briton based in the Saudi city of Jeddah, said however that although expats might find Ramadan hard, “for most most of us out here we respect the fact that we're expats in a conservative country and will obey the rules, as there are many benefits to living and working here.”
Annabel Kantaria
Anna Nicholas
Stephen Clarke
Mark Johnson