Saudi Arabia's Slow Sip Towards Change

Saudi Arabia is taking small steps to loosen its grip on alcohol restrictions. Two new stores are in the works, one for Aramco's non-Muslim employees and another for diplomats in Jeddah. This move is part of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's push to modernize the kingdom. The planned store in Dhahran will serve non-Muslim workers at Aramco, the state oil giant. Meanwhile, the Jeddah store will cater to diplomats. Both are expected to open in 2026, but officials are keeping tight-lipped about the details. This isn't the first time Saudi Arabia has dipped its toes into alcohol sales. Last year, a store opened in Riyadh for diplomats. Now, it's also serving non-Muslims with premium residency permits. Before this, alcohol was mostly a black market or diplomatic mail affair. Saudi Arabia is known for its strict Islamic laws, but things are changing. Dancing, cinema, and women driving are now on the table. The kingdom is also easing up on gender segregation and reining in the religious police. These changes aim to attract tourists and businesses, part of a bigger plan to diversify the economy away from oil. But alcohol remains a sensitive topic. A report suggesting sales in tourist areas sparked debate. The tourism minister hinted at possible changes, but nothing concrete yet. For now, luxury resorts like those in the Red Sea Global development stay dry.