A Saudi official denied on Monday media reports saying the kingdom would lift its 73-year-old ban on alcohol, which is prohibited for Muslims.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The report, which was picked up by some international media after it appeared on a wine blog last week, said Saudi authorities planned to allow alcohol sales in tourist settings as the country prepares to host the 2034 soccer World Cup. It did not give a source for the information.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The kingdom has eased some restrictions to lure tourists and international businesses as part of an ambitious plan to diversify its economy and make itself less dependent on oil.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The report about alcohol rules sparked a vigorous online debate in the kingdom, whose king also holds the title of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques \u2014 Islam’s most revered sites in Mecca and Medina.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, known as MBS, has pushed a series of reforms, which included ending a prohibition on allowing women to drive in 2017, easing some rules on sex segregation in public spaces and reducing the power of the religious police.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Saudi Arabia and Kuwait are the only Gulf countries that prohibit the sale of alcohol.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A minor move to allow alcoholic drinks to be consumed in the kingdom was the opening of the first alcohol store in the capital, Riyadh, last year, serving exclusively non-Muslim diplomats.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Prior to that, alcohol was available only through diplomatic mail or on the black market.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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