Saudi official says alcohol ban remains in place  | World News

A Saudi Arabian official on Monday denied media reports that the country plans to lift its decades-old ban on alcohol, saying the policy remains unchanged.
The reports, which first appeared on a wine blog and were later picked up some international outlets, claimed Saudi Arabia would allow alcohol sales in tour areas as it prepares to host the 2034 football World Cup. The original report did not cite any sources.
Speaking to Reuters, the Saudi official said, “There is no truth to these reports. Alcohol remains prohibited.”
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Saudi Arabia, where Islam began and which is home to its two holiest sites in Mecca and Medina, bans alcohol for Muslims. The country has, however, made several changes in recent years to attract tours and foreign investors as part of its plan to reduce dependence on oil.
Though alcohol remains illegal, new social freedoms include events such as public concerts, cinema screenings and fashion shows  activities that were not previously allowed.
News of the reported change sparked discussion online, reflecting how sensitive the topic remains in the kingdom. The king holds the title of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, giving added weight to the country’s Islamic identity.
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the kingdom’s day-to-day leader, has led several reforms in recent years. These include ending the ban on women driving, relaxing some rules on gender segregation in public spaces, and limiting the powers of the religious police.Story continues below this ad
Saudi Arabia and Kuwait are the only countries in the Gulf region where alcohol sales are fully banned.
Last year, Saudi Arabia opened its first alcohol shop in Riyadh for non-Muslim diplomats. Until then, alcohol could only be accessed via diplomatic shipments or the black market.
(With inputs from Reuters)
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