[AnNahar] Saudi authorities threatened Thursday to expel non-Moslem foreigners who eat, drink or smoke in public during the Moslem fasting month of Ramadan, which begins this weekend.
| I'd take a month long vacation. The Saudis won't be working, so why should anyone else? |
The interior ministry urged non-Moslems to "respect the feelings of Moslems by refraining from eating, drinking or smoking in public places, streets and at work."
"They are not excused for being non-Moslem," said the statement carried by SPA state news agency, adding that "labor contracts stipulate respect for Moslem rites."
"Those who violate (that)... will face the necessary measures, including terminating work contracts and being deported," the statement added.
Oil-rich Soddy Arabia
...a kingdom taking up the bulk of the Arabian peninsula. Its primary economic activity involves exporting oil and soaking Islamic rubes on the annual hajj pilgrimage. The country supports a large number of princes in whatcha might call princely splendor. When the oil runs out the rest of the world is going to kick sand in the Soddy national face...
, which applies a strict version of sharia Islamic law, hosts more than nine million foreigners, mostly Asians.
During Ramadan, Moslems fast from food from dawn to dusk and strive to be more pious and charitable. They are are also required to abstain from drinking liquids, smoking and having sex.
The fast is one of the five main religious obligations under Islam. |