Things that you should avoid doing in Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia, the custodian of the birthplace of Islam, has a constitution that embodies the religious values and teachings prescribed by the religious text – Quran – and Sunnah of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him).

One has to be more careful about Muslim laws after touching down in the kingdom where it is down to the individual to interpret the laws in the absence of official written constitution and thus, people often find themselves in legal troubles and are unable to sort out the dos and do not.

Sometimes, mere suspicion of a person having committed an act that is considered to be ‘haram’ – something that is forbidden by Islamic law – leads to a ruling against him.

Let’s have a look at some of the things that are banned in Saudi Arabia, though there is a comprehensive list of things that might lead a person to offend.

 

Photographing

Taking pictures of government buildings, military installations and royal palaces is strictly banned in Saudi Arabia. Even one has to ask the permission of local people – Saudi Arabian men before snapping their pictures. One should strictly avoid photographing women.

 

Obscenity

Watching obscene videos on your smart phones, tablet or computer can land you in serious trouble if you are in Saudi Arabia, where even illustrations of scantily dressed women, is prohibited

According to the Mirror UK, on mere suspicion customs officials can scan your phone for any pictures they deem to be vulgar and inappropriate and then confiscate your device.

 

Red alert for anything red on Valentine’s Day – it’s banned

Religious police in Saudi Arabia prohibit the sales of Valentine’s Day merchandise, which led to the creation of a black market for roses and other festive items. The banned holiday is considered Christian and contrary to Muslim traditions there.

It is forbidden for Saudi Muslims to take part in the holiday. More than 140 people were arrested for celebrating it in 2012, and five men were sentenced to lashes and 32 years in prison for drinking and dancing with women on Feb. 14, 2014. Non-Muslims who wish to celebrate Valentine’s Day must do so privately and carefully.

 

Sausage sandwiches

Since pork is declared ‘haram’ by Islamic law, its import is banned in the Muslim country. Thus, one will be hard pushed to find eatables like sausages, bacon and black budding that make up most of English breakfast in the kingdom.

 

Going to cinema

If you are craving to watch the latest James Bond movie, you actually have to leave the country to satisfy this desire. Since cinema is thought to a place where men and woman mingle unchecked is prohibited in Saudi Arabia for they could lead to immoral relations beyond the realm of marriage.

But soon this curb could be reviewed as the Kingdom has decided to lift ban on cinemas in its historic decision.

 

Learning a musical instrument at school

Music lessons are forbidden in public forums, if one wants to learn, it has to be done underground.

 

Going to the gym if you are a woman

If you are worried about your fitness as a woman and want to do exercise to stay slander, then you will have to run up and down stairs in your house, since woman are not permitted to go to the gym in the kingdom, according to the Mirror UK. Private gyms for women were permitted to operate until recently when police closed them down.

 

Having a drink on the flight en route to Saudi Arabia

One will surely land himself into hot waters for being under the influence of alcohol on the plane en route to Saudi Arabia.

Punishment for drinking, possessing or trading alcohol is severe in the kingdom. If you are travelling to SA, you have to avoid drinking alcohol.

 

Worshiping any religion other than Islam

Saudi Arabia is home to the religion’s  most sacred mosques –  Masjid al-Haram in Makkah, the destination of the annual Hajj pilgrimage, and Masjid an-Nabawi in Madina, burial site of the prophet Muhammad (PBUH)

Thus, practicing any other religion other than Islam in public is not permitted, and there is no separate place for other religions in the entire country. If a Muslim abandon the faith and converts from Islam then faces the death penalty.

Eating, drinking or smoking in public during Ramazan

In Saudi Arabia, like many other predominantly Muslim countries, it is also strictly prohibited to eat, drink or smoke in public during day light in the month of Ramazan.