Saudi Arabia, the birthplace of Islam and the custodian of its holiest sites, has opened its first liquor store in the diplomatic quarter of its capital Riyadh, according to multiple sources. The move, which has not been officially confirmed by the Saudi government, has triggered a wave of anger and criticism from many Muslims around the world, who see it as a betrayal of the Islamic faith and a sign of moral decay.
The consumption of alcohol is forbidden in Islam, as stated in several verses of the Quran and the teachings of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). Muslims believe that alcohol is harmful for the body, mind and soul, and that it leads to social evils such as violence, crime, adultery and corruption. Therefore, alcohol has been banned in Saudi Arabia since 1952, and anyone caught drinking or smuggling it faces severe penalties, including fines, jail time and lashes.
However, the new liquor store, which is reportedly only accessible to non-Muslim diplomats, is part of a broader campaign to liberalize Saudi society and diversify its economy under the ambitious Vision 2030 plan, spearheaded by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The young and powerful leader, who is widely seen as the de-facto ruler of the kingdom, has introduced a series of reforms in recent years, such as allowing women to drive, lifting the ban on cinemas and concerts, and easing the restrictions on gender mixing and public entertainment.
These changes have been welcomed by some segments of the Saudi population, especially the youth, who make up more than half of the country’s 34 million people. They have also been praised by some Western allies, who see them as signs of progress and modernization. However, they have also faced resistance and backlash from the conservative religious establishment, which has long wielded influence and authority in the kingdom, and from some ordinary citizens, who fear that the reforms are eroding the Islamic identity and values of the country.
The opening of the liquor store, which is seen as a major departure from the Islamic tradition, has added fuel to the fire of the ongoing debate among Muslims about the direction and future of Saudi Arabia. Some have expressed their outrage and disappointment on social media, calling the move a “disgrace” and a “humiliation” for the Muslim ummah (community). They have also accused the Saudi leadership of hypocrisy and double standards, as they claim to uphold the Islamic law and defend the Muslim causes, while at the same time violating the basic tenets of the faith and appeasing the Western interests.
Others have taken a more nuanced and pragmatic approach, arguing that the liquor store is a minor and isolated issue, and that it does not affect the majority of the Saudi people, who are still devout and law-abiding Muslims. They have also pointed out that the store is located in a restricted area, where only foreign diplomats can access it, and that it is meant to curb the illegal trade of alcohol, which has been a longstanding problem in the kingdom. They have also urged their fellow Muslims to focus on the positive aspects of the Saudi reforms, such as the empowerment of women, the promotion of culture and tourism, and the diversification of the economy.
The liquor store issue has also raised some questions and challenges for the Saudi government, which has to balance between its domestic and international interests, and between its religious and secular aspirations. The government has to deal with the potential backlash from its own people, who may feel alienated and disillusioned by the reforms, and from its regional and global rivals, who may exploit the issue to undermine its legitimacy and credibility. The government also has to ensure that the reforms are implemented in a gradual and careful manner, without compromising the security and stability of the country, and without losing the trust and support of its allies and partners.
The liquor store issue is a test of the Saudi vision and leadership, and a reflection of the complex and dynamic reality of the Muslim world today. It is also an opportunity for dialogue and understanding among Muslims, who have different views and perspectives on the role and relevance of Islam in the modern world. As the Quran says, “O you who have believed, be persistently standing firm in justice, witnesses for Allah, even if it be against yourselves or parents and relatives.” (4:135)