Saudis take Bibles and other religious items

[Shammu]

Saudis take Bibles and other religious items
Michael Freund
THE JERUSALEM POST
Aug. 8, 2007

Despite a series of initiatives aimed at generating foreign tourism, the Saudi Arabian government continues to bar Jews and Christians from bringing items such as Bibles, crucifixes and Stars of David into the country and is threatening to confiscate them on sight, The Jerusalem Post has learned.

"A number of items are not allowed to be brought into the kingdom due to religious reasons and local regulations," declares the Web site of Saudi Arabian Airlines, the country's national carrier.

After informing would-be visitors that items such as narcotics, firearms and pornography may not be transported into the country, the Web site adds: "Items and articles belonging to religions other than Islam are also prohibited. These may include Bibles, crucifixes, statues, carvings, items with religious symbols such as the Star of David, and others."

Contacted by the Post, an employee of Saudi Arabian Airlines in New York, who would only give her name as Gladys, confirmed this rule was in force. "Yes, sir," she said, "that is what we have heard, that it is a problem to bring these things into Saudi Arabia, so you cannot do it."

An official at the Saudi Consulate in New York, who declined to give her name, told the Post that anyone bringing a Bible into the country or wearing a crucifix or Star of David around their neck would run into trouble with Saudi authorities.

"You are not allowed to bring that stuff into the kingdom," the consular official said. "If you do, they will take it away," she warned, adding, "If it is really important to you, then you can try to bring it and just see what happens, but I don't recommend that you do so."

Asked to explain the policy, the official said, "Every country has rules about what can or cannot enter."

Over the summer, the Saudi government-run Supreme Commission for Tourism announced a number of steps, such as issuing group visas to foreigners through tour operators and granting longer entry visas, in the hopes of boosting the number of foreign tourists to 1.5 million annually by 2020.

Saudis take Bibles and other religious items

[Jon-Marc]

Just as I told a moderator of a Web site, I won't go where my God isn't welcome.

[Soldier4Christ]

It is a well known fact for anyone that has been keeping tabs on the middle east countries that the Saudi's have never allowed the Bible to be brought into their country. When they are brought in the Bibles have been confiscated, shredded and burned. This is the same in many middle east countries and the reason that many of our Soldiers over there cannot take Bibles with them.

[ibTina]

Wonder what would happen to someone with a Tatoo of a Cross?

[Soldier4Christ]

Wonder what would happen to someone with a Tatoo of a Cross?

 


I don't think that I want to contemplate that one.

[Debp]

I understood from a Jew at an Islamic website that Jews are not even allowed into Saudi Arabia!  I think the moderator/owner was from Saudi Arabia and he did not refute that.

At least Bibles are desperately wanted by the populace in Iraq!!  A mission I help there is praying for more funds in order to give out more Bibles there.  And many churches, although meeting secretly are being established in Iraq! 

[Faithin1]

And this is the country our government plans to supply with weapons and other advanced military technology.