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These days an unusual event has been announced in Saudi Arabia, one of the countries where alcohol was totally banned: the first liquor store has been opened in the capital Riyadh, after more than 70 years without any establishment of this kind in the country, due to the extreme restrictions they have on the sale and consumption of alcohol. Although this is a liberalizing step and a measure taken by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to modernize the country’s image and increase tourism, this liquor store will only be open to non-Muslim diplomats. They will have to present their relevant diplomatic documentation when entering to purchase liquor, beer or wine.
These days an unusual fact has been announced in Saudi Arabia, one of the countries where alcohol is banned. Saudi Arabia is one of the countries that has had a ban on alcohol for its citizens since 1950, but it is not the only one. All over the world, there are different countries where alcoholic beverages are forbidden (or almost), either by tradition, religion or strict laws. Although the laws vary in each region, we review some of the countries in the world where you should take into account these aspects because alcohol is prohibited, or almost totally prohibited: they have opened the first liquor store in the capital Riyadh, after more than 70 years without an establishment of this style in the country, due to the extreme restrictions they have in terms of sale and consumption of alcohol. Although this is a liberalizing step and a measure taken by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to modernize the country’s image and increase tourism, this liquor store will only be open to non-Muslim diplomats. They will have to present their relevant diplomatic documentation when entering to purchase liquor, beer or wine.
More than a dozen countries are just as strict with alcohol
One of the strictest and most restrictive countries with alcohol is Kuwait, where it is prohibited. Since 1965, it has been illegal to buy and sell any type of alcohol here. This has led some citizens to choose to drink other liquids such as perfumes or colognes, which has caused numerous hospitalizations and even deaths.
On the other hand, countries such as Iran, Libya and Bangladesh also have a law that totally prohibits the sale and consumption of any alcoholic beverage, therefore the alcohol is also banned. However, this restriction leads to clandestine sales, smuggling and illegal trade of alcohol. There is usually a lot of home production and adulterated drinks, which again cause hospitalizations and intoxications that can be very serious. Moreover, this type of crime is severely punished. For example, in September 2023, an Iranian court sentenced four people to death for selling home-made alcohol and causing almost twenty deaths.
Non-Muslims and foreign tourists may consume
Many Arab countries apply Sharia, the Islamic law that governs the conduct of citizens, including the prohibition of alcohol consumption. Thus, regions such as Qatar, Pakistan and Oman do serve alcohol to non-Muslims who have previously obtained a permit to do so in licensed restaurants, hotels and liquor stores. But Muslim citizens are totally prohibited from drinking alcohol. In fact, it was a contentious issue during the Qatar 2022 World Cup, as some restrictions were placed on beer sales and public drinking by visitors from the rest of the world.
Only in private and for non-Muslims
Countries such as Brunei and Somalia also restrict alcohol consumption, especially among their citizens. However, foreign visitors and non-Muslims can have access to this type of beverages. However, they can and must consume them in a private space, as doing so in public is totally illegal. In fact, the punishment for such offenses has tripled in recent years. This is not the only extreme measure carried out in these areas. In Somalia, for example, cinemas and smoking are also banned.
More ‘relaxed
Although Sudan had banned the consumption of alcohol since 1983, with a very conservative legislation, in 2020 it took a small step towards openness and authorized the consumption of alcohol by non-Muslims. With this amendment, it authorized “non-Muslims to consume alcohol outside the public space, as long as they do not cause a nuisance”, and did not do so in the company of people of Islamic faith.
India is the most populous country in the world, with more than 1428 million inhabitants. It is a huge region and, although in most of the territory alcohol consumption is allowed -with certain restrictions such as the minimum age to do so, for example-, in four of its states it is totally forbidden. These are Gujarat, Mizoram, Nagaland and Bihar, states that do not have a Muslim majority and Sharia does not apply. Here, both the sale and purchase of alcoholic beverages is illegal.
Although there are many other countries with severe restrictions on alcohol, it is not completely banned.