Focal Person for Diaspora

Culture
Greetings and meet-up

• • When you enter an office or meet people greet them with “as-salam alaikum”
  • If you are greeted with “as-salam alikum”, Kindly answer with “walikum as-salam”
  • Shaking hands is customary when people meet or are introduced.
  • Don’t shake hands with women if you are a man and with men if you are a woman.
  • Don’t call anyone by nickname or a slang name that would sound strange to others.
  • Never call anyone with a “come here” motion of your figure as this may offend him or her.
  • Never point your figure to a person you are talking to.
  • Don’t cross your legs or sit showing the undersides of your feet while talking to someone.
  • Never laugh at anything pertaining to their customs or way of life that may appear strange or unusual to you.
  • Do socialize with natives where opportunity arises.

Dress code

• • Both men and women never appear in shorts, except when swimming in private places or when engaged in sports.
  • Ladies should always present a modest appearance, keeping upper arms and shoulders covered.
  • Whenever in public, a woman should preferably wear an abaya, or modest clothes, as convenient.

Alcoholic beverage

• • Manufacturing, selling and drinking of liquor is an offense that is punishable by law.

Religion

• • Do not talk, play music, or make any form of noise while someone is praying and while the Holy Quran is being read, or recited on a television or radio.
  • Do not walk in front of someone who is praying.
  • Do not step on a prayer rug if someone is preparing to pray.
  • Do not carry in your possession any non-muslim religious article or object.
  • During the holy month of Ramadan, do not eat in public or in the presence of others, if sick or advised by doctor.
  • During the holy month of Ramadan, eating drinking and smoking are all strictly prohibited with daylight hours. The penalty, if caught, is expulsion especially from the kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
  • Don’t discuss sects and other religious / sectarian matters.
  • Don’t propagate or disseminate your sect through social media or by any other means.

Administrative matters

• • Avoid Commission of crimes and unlawful activities.
  • Avoid use of fraudulent documents.
  • Don’t indulge in Forgery.
  • Beggary is prohibited.
  • Carry legal residence/working permits/Iqama.
  • Always keep valid travel documents Passport and NICOP etc.
  • Always carry your Iqama (residence permit) and a copy of your Passport.
  • Authorities have the right to demand to see the document for identification purposes. Most public transaction in the Kingdom requires the presentation of an Iqama.
  • Always check the validity of your Iqama and Passport. Both documents should never expire.
  • A Passport must have 6 months validity.

Drugs and Narcotics

• • Drugs and narcotics are prohibited in Kingdom so never attempt to use or smuggle banned substances.
  • Possession of a narcotic, even in very small amount, is a criminal offense.
  • Manufacturing, selling, using, or possessing drugs are all grounds of criminal action.
  • Even slimming pills or pharmaceuticals containing small amount of narcotics are prohibited.

Taking Photographs or making videos

• • Do not take a picture or make video of any person without asking his or her permission first.
  • Do not photograph military installations, ports, and airport facilities without official permission.
  • Do not carry or bring lewd or pornographic pictures, tapes, and magazines/reading materials.
  • Don’t share obscene material on social media.

Political

• • Never show disrespect for the Saudi Flag or the Saudi Royal Family.
  • Collection of un-authorized Charity is prohibited.
  • Public procession or political sloganeering is strictly prohibited in the Kingdom.
  • Do not violate local laws and regulations.
  • Use social media with decency, and in accordance with local laws and regulations.