SAUDI ARABIA’S NON MUSLIMS SHOULD ALSO NOT EAT DRINK OR SMOKE DURING RAMAZAN OR BE EXPELLED
RIYADH: Saudi authorities are warning non-Muslim expatriates against eating, drinking or smoking in public during Ramzan, the monthlong sunrise-to-sunset fast – or face expulsion.
The interior ministry of the oil-rich kingdom is calling on non-Muslims to “show consideration for feelings of Muslims” and “preserve the sacred Islamic rituals.”
Otherwise, a statement says, Saudi authorities will cancel violators’ work contracts and expel them.
The warning came on Friday, the first day of the Ramzan observance.
In addition to Saudi Arabia’s 19 million citizens, there are nearly 8 million Asian workers in the country, as well as hundreds of thousands of other foreign expatriates from around the globe, according to government figures.
Saudi Arabia, the ultraconservative Sunni kingdom, is the home of Islam’s holiest sites. It enforces a strict interpretation of the religion.
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The headline of this article gives totally a wrong interpretation and impression that SAUDI ARABIA’S NON MUSLIMS SHOULD ALSO NOT EAT DRINK OR SMOKE DURING RAMAZAN OR BE EXPELLED.
But it is not so. They say that Saudi authorities are warning non-Muslim expatriates against eating, drinking or smoking in public during Ramzan, the monthlong sunrise-to-sunset fast – or face expulsion.
Non-muslim expatriates can still eat, drink, smoke not in public but in their dormitories or apartments. They always keep the mess halls open for all three meals for non-muslim expatriates in many camps.
Without any dispute, it is best for the non-muslim expatriates to respect thier religion, culture and abide by the law of that country.
You are quite right Nihal. There is a Sinhala sayiig ,if you attendiung a bat’s wedding,you must be able to survive by hanging on to branches.(Wawulage magul gedera yanawanam ellila inna dena ganna ona)
As far as concern this is not a new issue in Kingdom of saudi arabia.And as well non muslims are behaving with good manner in order to respect the holloy month,and also nonmuslims are participating in so many break fast parties in fact with free food provided by Saudi goverment.