Foreigners in Saudi Arabia warned vs. drinking, smoking in public during Ramadan

Non-Muslim foreigners in Saudi Arabia should not drink, eat, or smoke in public during Ramadan, if they wish to remain in the country.

Violators could face deportation or risk losing their jobs, the International Business Times (IBT) reported Thursday, quoting Saudi Arabia's Interior Ministry orders.

"They are not excused for being non-Muslim... anyone living in this country should follow the laws of the Kingdom, including respecting religious sentiments," the IBT report added.

Companies were instructed to relay these instructions to their employees to ensure complete compliance.

Ramadan, Islam's holy month of fasting, will begin on Sunday in Saudi Arabia, the state-run Al-Ekhbariya television reported on Friday.

Other Gulf monarchies, including Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates also said Ramadan will start in their countries on Sunday.

Algeria will also mark the start of the holy month on the same day.

Yemen's religious authorities said in a statement that fasting would begin on Saturday.

According to "i24 News," Saudi Arabia is host to at least nine million foreigners and applies a stricter version of Sharia, or Islamic laws.  — Rei Takumi /LBG, GMA News

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