Riyadh, Oct 22: Saudi Arabia today issued its annual warning to non-Muslim foreign residents of the Kingdom that they face deportation if they eat, drink or smoke in public during the upcoming Muslim fasting month of Ramadan. "Non-Muslim residents of this country must respect Muslims' feelings by refraining from eating, drinking or smoking in public places, in the streets and in workplaces" during the dawn-to-dusk fast observed by Muslims throughout the holy month, an Interior Ministry statement said.
"Authorities will take deterrent measures, namely ending work (contracts) of and deporting violators," said the statement carried by the official spa news agency.
Ramadan is expected to start on October 26 or 27, depending on the sighting of the moon.
Saudi Arabia's political and social system is based on a strict interpretation of Sharia, or Islamic law.
Bureau Report