Table of Contents
Can you live in Saudi Arabia as a Christian?
Most Christians in Saudi Arabia are migrants. There are a few Muslim-born Christians, and conversion from Islam is punishable by death. Church buildings are forbidden and so Christians meet in house churches, which are frequently raided. Christians may be arrested, imprisoned, tortured and deported for their faith.
Can you go to church in Saudi Arabia?
Saudi Arabia, the home of Islam, has outlawed churches and punished Christian worship for decades. The kingdom’s 1.4 million Christians meet in secret, but authorities are signaling more openness.
Can Tourists drink alcohol in Saudi Arabia?
Alcohol of any kind is banned in Saudi Arabia. Those who break the law are subject to hundreds of lashes, deportation, fines, or imprisonment. You may be able to access alcohol on the flight over, but if you are deemed to be intoxicated at customs, you risk arrest.
What is it like to live in Saudi Arabia as an expat?
Saudi Arabia polarizes expat opinion like few other places. While some enjoy living in traditional expat compounds, others struggle to deal with cultural aspects such as gender segregation and the country’s intolerance to alcohol.
What is it like to be a woman in Saudi Arabia?
A woman’s independence and freedom to make choices for herself varies on an individual basis, depending on the attitude of her closest male relative. Saudi Arabia has a legal guardianship system that means it is illegal for a woman to do certain things without the permission of a male guardian, regardless of her age.
What do expats in Saudi Arabia think about freedom of religion?
Expats in Saudi Arabia will quickly become aware that not only is there no freedom of religion but freedom of expression is also repressed to the extent that it is non-existent. You may be surprised at the lack of religious heritage sites in the cradle of Islam.
What are the costs of family life in Saudi Arabia?
Family life in Saudi Arabia comes with other costs that expats may not have encountered before. As of July 2017, expats bringing their families into the Kingdom (typically, a man sponsoring his wife and children) must pay a dependent fee of SAR100 per person per month. The fee is expected to increase gradually to a maximum of SAR400 in 2020.