Saudi authorities still prohibit restaurants from serving food during Ramadan fasting hours.
A letter circulated online recently caused a stir on social media. It claims that restaurants in Saudi Arabia will be allowed to serve food during Ramadan fasting hours this year. According to the letter, restaurants can continue to sell food to foreigners or tourists as long as they put up curtains or coverings.
Saudi authorities quickly took serious steps to respond to the letter to avoid widespread confusion. The Council of Saudi Chambers said that the letter delivers fake claims even called it a ‘fake letter.’
Saudi Arabia denies that restaurants will be allowed to open and serve food to foreigners or tourists during the fasting period of Ramadan.
On Wednesday, the Council appealed to the public not to easily believe fake news circulating online. The Council said any decision would only be published on its official website and social media accounts.
Restaurants in the Kingdom are usually only allowed to operate a few hours before iftar time to serve takeaway food.
Last year, authorities even imposed new protocols for restaurant packaging mechanisms and takeaway orders delivery by setting up drive-thru delivery systems as part of measures to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
Ramadan falls on the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, which is believed to be one of the holiest months in which the Prophet Muhammad received the revelation of the Holy Quran. During Ramadan, Muslims worldwide will fast from sunrise to sunset every day for the whole month.
Last Ramadan, Dubai allowed restaurants to serve customers during the fasting hour of Ramadan without screening them from the public. In previous years, restaurants were granted permission to serve food during fasting hours because they were required to cover their customers while eating from public view.
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