[imagesource:chriswaits/flickr]

The ultra-conservative Saudi Arabia, which is among a handful of countries with alcohol bans for its citizens, has allowed a liquor store to be opened for its non-muslim diplomats. This is the first liquor store to open in the country in 70 years.

Set in the diplomatic quarter of the capital city of Riyadh, the booze shop is seen as an effort by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to make the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia a more popular destination for business and tourism.

Associated Press reported that the store is open ‘only to non-Muslim diplomats who must present diplomatic identification’ to shop for liquor, beer and wine. For everyone outside of the diplomatic circle, the ban on alcohol – introduced in 1951 – still applies.

Kuwait also shares the total ban on booze with Saudi Arabia and implemented their laws in 1965. The sudden ban resulted in hundreds of deaths as people resorted to drinking perfume and rubbing alcohol.

Several other countries in the region share the ban but on religious grounds. In these countries, Muslims are banned from drinking alcohol for religious reasons by the government, but the same laws do not extend to non-Muslims. Pakistan, Oman and Qatar allow citizens to obtain a permit that allows the consumption of alcohol in registered establishments.

Prohibition is never a perfect remedy though, and in places like Iran, Bangladesh, and Libya there are thriving underground markets, despite liquor sales being against the law.

The Saudi Arabian liquor store opened on Wednesday under the Vision 2030 Initiative championed by the Crown Prince.

Saudi Arabia’s founding monarch, King Abdulaziz, imposed an alcohol ban in 1951 after his son drunkenly shot and killed British resident Cyril Ousman during a party. Prince Mishari was convicted of murder and died in 2000.

[source:forbes]