Living In Saudi Arabia

Living in Saudi Arabia

1. The British Government strongly advise all UK nationals going to Saudi Arabia to get to know the difference between UK law and Saudi law and to abide by the laws of Saudi Arabia while they are there.  You will find that Saudi laws and moral standards are considerably stricter than those of the UK and that in certain cases, notably involving dress, drink and moralbehaviour, what is not a crime in Britain is treated as a crime in Saudi Arabia.


2. Saudi Arabia is an exclusively Islamic (Muslim) kingdom and Islam governs nearly every aspect of life.  The public practice of any form of religion other than Islam is prohibited in Saudi Arabia.  Severe punishment (imprisonment and deportation) can result should such activities come to the attention of theauthorities.  The authorities also stamp firmly on attempts at proselytisation or conversion of Muslims to Christianity.  (However, non-Muslims are free to worship in their own homes).  Entry to Mecca and Medina (the two holiest cities of Islam) is strictly forbidden to all non-Muslims though access to the outskirts of Medina (e.g. the Sheraton Hotel) is allowed.


3. Saudis take their religion veryseriously.  Over a billion Muslims throughout the world face Mecca five times daily in prayer and it is a major expression of faith for every Muslim to make the pilgrimage to (Haj) to the shrine (Ka’aba) and other religious sites at Mecca once in his/her lifetime.  The Muslim holy day is Friday; many offices are shut on Thursday as well as Friday, and the working week starts on Saturday.4. Muslims follow a lunar calendar of 12 months, which is 10 or 11 days shorter than our Gregorian (solar) calendar.  The ninth month of the Muslim year is Ramadhan, when no Muslim must allow anything to pass between his/her lips between sunrise and sunset.  No-one should eat, drink or smoke in public during the fasting hours and strict penalties, including deportation, can be incurred if caught.  Thetwo major public holidays of the year are religious festivals.  Eid al-Fitr lasts for about two weeks and celebrates the end of Ramadhan.  The Eid al-Adha, about two months later, lasts for about 10 days and celebrates the sacrifice during the pilgrimage to Mecca.  (Christmas is not recognised in Saudi Arabia and most expatriates are expected to work on Christmas Day).Saudi Legal System


5. Laws are based on the Muslim Holy Book, the Quran.  The system is often known as “sharia”.  Punishments for some offences are harsh by British standards.  But the Saudis understand that the ways of non-Muslims are different from their own and they will not generally interfere with what foreigners do quietly, privately and discretely.  But foreigners who take advantageof this to break the law are running serious risks. The Saudis are jealous of their reputation of having a well-ordered society. They will not allow foreigners to put it at risk.


6. British Consular Staff will do what they can to assist UK nationals who are caught disobeying Saudi law.  In most cases this is restricted to giving advice and attempting to ensure that the normal correct Saudilegal processes are followed.  A British Consul cannot save UK nationals from the consequences of their own actions – e.g. the implementation of customary punishment (e.g. lashes for alcohol offences).


7. Murder and sexual immorality such as adultery or homosexual acts carry the death penalty in Saudi Arabia.  So does apostasy (renunciation of the Muslim faith).  The death penalty is carriedout in public, usually by beheading.  Serious and/or persistent theft is punished by cutting of the thief’s right hand.  This, too, is done in public, usually in front of the main Mosque after mid-day prayers on Friday.


8. Under sharia law, non-payment of debt is considered a crime, and sufficient reason for imprisonment; imprisonment does not discharge the debt.  It is therefore important...