Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Interior urged non-Muslims residing in the kingdom to respect Muslim traditions by not eating openly eating during the month of Ramadan, or else face serious consequences, including deportation, Al-Arabiya news reported.
“The non-Muslim expatriates in this country should respect the sentiments of Muslims by not eating, drinking and smoking in public places, including roads and workplaces,” read an Interior Ministry statement issued by the Saudi Press Agency, adding that violators may face deportation.
The ministry said that eating and drinking openly during the month of Ramadan is seen as an embarrassment to Muslims.
“Being a non-believer of Islam does not exempt an expatriate from being inconsiderate of the feelings of Muslims and the Islamic symbols of this country,” said the statement.
The ban on public food consumption will last until August 18, the last day of the Ramadan fast, according to Al-Arabiya.