We all know that Saudi Arabia is a Muslim state and Islamic law prevails in the country. Some laws here are a bit too rare for many people. Some activities, that might be legal elsewhere, may let you get into deep trouble in Saudi Arabia!
So here are those 8 activities that you shall never indulge into if you are living in Saudi Arabia. These activities can let you fall in major trouble so much so that you might end up being behind the bars of jails. For expats, you might even face a deportation!
1-Raising funds: Raising funds for a good and humanitarian cause are certainly welcomed in all countries and so is in Saudi Arabia. However, there are some conditions you need to meet. Any money or item collected for charitable cause shall first be approved by Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department (IACAD).
No advertisement, banners or call for funds shall be made without gaining approval. Violation of the law is punished by a severe fine or a 1 year of imprisonment. Note that this law applies to fundraised for victims or event aboard.
2-Swearing and using abusive language on social media such as WhatsApp: In Saudi Arabia and some other Gulf countries, swearing in public and on social media platform is a crime. Even if one uses abusive language while holding e-conversation (such that on WhatsApp), it is regarded as a criminal act.
Sending wrong text to the wrong recipient, using abusive language or abusive emoji (such as a middle finger) on WhatsApp, can make you face a fine as high as SR 500,000 or in worse cases 1 year of imprisonment and even deportation (in case you are an expat).
This law is only exercised upon receiving a complaint from the one who received such a message. Make sure you know about the Etiquettes of using WhatsApp in Saudi Arabia to avoid any trouble.
3-Checking your spouse's phone: The Saudi Arabian law tends to protect the privacy of every individual: these individuals also include your spouse. The law states that no one can raid into another’s privacy. Privacy cab is invaded using electronic information system and information technology.
Checking your spouse phone can cost you as much as SR 500,000 fines and Jail of 1 year or both.
4-Taking photos of others without their permission: While we are in public places we tend to capture images and sometimes, we tend to capture images of others. Even though we might have pure intentions behind capturing a photograph of another person, yet we are violating the law.
The law requires us to first take permission from others before capturing their photographs. Taking pictures as a Hobby can cost you a fine of SR 500,000 and jail of 1 year or both.
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