Saudi Arabia's Slow Sip Towards Change

Saudi Arabia is taking small steps to loosen its grip on alcohol restrictions.

• Two new stores are in the works:
• One for Aramco's non-Muslim employees in Dhahran.
• Another for diplomats in Jeddah.

This move is part of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's push to modernize the kingdom.

Details of the New Stores

• Dhahran Store: Serving non-Muslim workers at Aramco, the state oil giant.
• Jeddah Store: Catering to diplomats.
• Expected Opening: Both stores are set to open in 2026, but officials are keeping tight-lipped about the details.

Previous Steps Towards Alcohol Sales

• Last Year: A store opened in Riyadh for diplomats.
• Now: The same store is also serving non-Muslims with premium residency permits.
• Before: Alcohol was mostly a black market or diplomatic mail affair.

Broader Changes in Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia is known for its strict Islamic laws, but things are changing:

• Dancing, cinema, and women driving are now on the table.
• Gender segregation is easing up.
• The religious police are being reined in.

These changes aim to attract tourists and businesses, part of a bigger plan to diversify the economy away from oil.

Alcohol Remains a Sensitive Topic

• A report suggesting sales in tourist areas sparked debate.
• The tourism minister hinted at possible changes, but nothing concrete yet.
• For now, luxury resorts like those in the Red Sea Global development stay dry.