History of Prohibiting Alcoholic Drinks
The Islamic faith which stands at the core of the beliefs of Saudi Arabia holds a strict prohibition on drinking alcohol and intoxicants of any kind. The religion has prohibited drinking alcohol and its consumption from the very beginning, and this practice has been historically followed in the country since the start of Islam in the seventh century. To this day, in the modern society, drinking alcoholic beverages within Saudi Arabia is considered illegal and punishable by law.
At present day, anyone caught in the possession, manufacturing, or sale of alcohol in the country can be subject to corporal punishment, such as public flogging, or even imprisonment. Though liquor and other alcoholic drinks are widely available in bordering countries, it is still prohibited by law inside the Saudi Arabian borders.
Islamic Influence
In the Islamic faith, it is believed that God created human beings and His guidance should only be followed. Drinking alcohol is considered a major sin. There is a whole chapter in the Quran devoted to the topic of intoxicants and the Islamic faith believes it creates a sinful environment and does not serve any beneficial purpose to the people of the faith. From an Islamic perspective, drinking alcohol carries severe consequences and can lead to even graver sins.
Every part of the holy book of Quran prohibits the usage of alcohol and other intoxicants and urges followers of Islam to stay away from it. Thus, it is no wonder that the prohibition of the same in Saudi Arabia is so strong.
Culture and Society
In addition to the Islamic faith prohibiting alcohol, it is also not readily available in the public spheres of Saudi Arabian culture and society. Even if it were, it’s doubtful that it would not be publicly accepted in the populous. Generally, the majority of Muslims, and the public of Saudi Arabia in general, take religious law very seriously and it is unacceptable for them to openly consume or experiment with any intoxicating substance, the Quran itself strictly forbids it.
Economic Struggles
The economy of Saudi Arabia today, while still growing, is still relatively young. The sizeable youth population often looks for illicit activities to entertain themselves with but can’t most of the time, due to the evident lack of such activities in the country.
Though some may argue that alcohol can provide a source of income and foreign investments, it’s heavily outweighed by the negative effects it may have on the society, the economy, productivity, crime, and health. Prohibiting the sale and consumption of alcohol could be the right choice for Saudi Arabia as it still tries to achieve a steady economic position.
International Pressure
On the other hand, many international businesses have attempted to convince the government of Saudi Arabia to make exceptions in the Islamic practices and remove its ban on drinking alcohol. So far, their efforts have been unsuccessful as the Saudi Arabian government sticks to its independent beliefs and customs and has refused to lift the ban for international pressure.
In the end, the country’s leaders understand that alcohol will not do well with their citizens, so it’s not worth the risks to open that door.
Opposing Arguments and Anti-Prohibition Movements
Many activists from within and outside the country are against the prohibition of alcohol in Saudi Arabia, arguing that it is a human right and should not be violated. However, their voices have not been heard in the past as it is a violation of Islamic law and could be looked down upon in the public.
Moreover, many expats from other countries living in the country often disagree with the ban as alcohol consumption is often seen as a measure of personal freedom to them. Even though there may be some people who support alcohol consumption within Saudi Arabia, there still is a large majority in favor of upholding the Islamic laws that surround the issue of alcohol consumption and the culture surrounding it.
Government Mentalities and Stigmas
The government of Saudi Arabia has an immense influence on people’s behavior and religious practices and they have promised to make efforts to prevent people from drinking and using any kind of intoxicant. Government officials have been criticized for their harsh policies against those who violate the prohibition of drinking alcohol. People caught indulging in such activities are subject to the harshest of punishments and can face fines, imprisonment, and even corporal punishment.
Despite strong government policies, the mentalities of people living inside the country regarding the prohibitions of alcohol remains varied and many of the youth still struggles with the pressure to consume alcohol and other substances.
Reliability of the Saudi Arabian Law System
It could be argued that there have been several loopholes in the Saudi Arabian law system as it relates to punishing those who break the laws. A majority of the cases against such people usually ends in lenient punishments such as a warning or a fine, but this overlooks the larger problem of alcohol consumption that goes on inside the country.
Furthermore, even though it is illegal to consume, possess, or sell alcohol within the country, there is still a large demand for alcohol and many people manage to smuggle it in from outside the country. Reports state that there is a steady black market for alcohol in many areas inside the country, which undermines the authority of the law and its punishments.
Campaigns and Public Opinion
Though the majority of public opinion does not support the idea of alcohol in Saudi Arabia, there are still individuals and organizations who believe that the strict prohibition should be eased a little bit.
There have been public campaigns as well as court cases by those who are in favor of legalizing alcohol in places like Jeddah and Riyadh. To many of them, relaxing the laws and allowing a limited amount of alcohol consumption in the country is not an unattainable goal and could be beneficial for the country both economically and socially.
Medical Perspectives
The most prominent argument in favor of the consumption of alcohol comes from the healthcare perspective. Several medical professionals have noted that low quantities of alcohol are beneficial for the human body and can reduce the risk of several deadly diseases, including heart disease, stroke, and diabetes.
Apart from the positive physical effects, moderate consumption of alcohol can act as a stress reliever and can even lead to better health in the long term. Supporters of alcohol consumption in the region often use this argument to try and justify their case.
Alcohol in Tourism
Finally, one cannot overlook the strong influence of Saudi Arabian tourism which has seen a recent rise in the last few years. Many people visit the country from all over the world every year, yet the bans on alcohol almost invariably affects the experience of the vast majority of visitors.
It is also argued that not allowing tourists to consume alcohol in the country can be very detrimental to Saudi Arabian’s growing tourism industry as tourists from western and other non-Muslim majority countries often expect to have the access to a few moderately consumed drinks during their time in the country.
Moral Struggle
In conclusion, alcohol consumption in Saudi Arabia will remain a moral struggle between those who believe and those who don’t, and it will continue to be a topic of debate in the country for the foreseeable future.
Even though alcohol is banned in the country, it is important to note that this prohibition is a reflection of the country’s religious beliefs and should thus be respected. Though some have argued for the relaxation of the laws, it’s unlikely that a change could be made largely due to the influence of the Islamic faith in the region.
