Saudi Arabia implements public decency code as it opens to tourists

[Eugene]

Source: Reuters

WORLD NEWS SEPTEMBER 28, 2019 / 5:08 AM / UPDATED 2 HOURS AGO

Saudi Arabia implements public decency code as it opens to tourists

Stephen Kalin
3 MIN READ

RIYADH (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia said on Saturday it would issue fines for 19 offences related to public decency, such as immodest dress and public displays of affection, as the Muslim kingdom opens up to foreign tourists.

The Interior Ministry decision accompanies the launch of a visa regime allowing holidaymakers from 49 states to visit one of the world’s most closed-off countries. Till now, most visitors have been Muslim pilgrims and business people.

Violations listed on the new visa website also include littering, spitting, queue jumping, taking photographs and videos of people without permission and playing music at prayer times. Fines range from 50 riyals ($13) to 6,000 riyals ($1,600).

“The regulations are meant to ensure that visitors and tourists in the kingdom are aware of the law relating to public behavior so that they comply with it,” a government media statement said.

It said Saudi police had the sole responsibility for monitoring offences and imposing fines, a comment that appeared to marginalize the kingdom’s religious anti-vice squads whose authority to pursue suspects or make arrests was curbed in 2016.

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Read more: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-saudi-tourism/saudi-arabia-implements-public-decency-code-as-it-opens-to-tourists-idUSKBN1WD08B

[Ohiogal]

1. Who would want to visit

such a restrictive place? Especially if you are a woman.

[OnDoutside]

5. My wife's niece taught at the Women's University there and was

happy to move on. It's stupid restrictive.

[pwb]

2. Fuck Saudi Arabia.

And their oil. To me they are a shit hole country.

[Glorfindel]

3. I can't imagine going to Saudi Arabia under any circumstances, but tourism?

There are plenty of nice, friendly places to visit.

[Newest Reality]

4. They remind me

of the value of freedom and why we should always be vigilant about any Right-Wing Fundamentalists who want to impose restrictions on us that are in that vein, i.e., Mosaic Law.

That group may be a smaller, (and shrinking) aspect of our society, but they are in place and zealous about imposing their ideology on others as much as possible. Pence is a shadow figurehead for them, in that sense. That is a real danger, too.

Well, Saudi Arabia seems like such a fun place to visit. Does anyone think the elite there follow all those rules in the luxury high-rises, etc.? Same game. It is for subjugating women and lessors and power and control.

I hope their tourism income gets a hit from that, at least. You would think they would be lax on visitors who are not citizens or religious, but no. Intolerance is often an evil of its own, parading around as righteousness and good.

[rickford66]

6. What's the fine for cutting up a journalist ?

[abqtommy]

7. Maybe the punishment is a visit from tRUMP?

How interesting that a government that sanctions murder and dismemberment has any concern about "public decency"!