Saudi Arabia is cradle of Islam. The Saudi government is the keeper and the defender of the Islamic faith. All Muslim non-Muslim expatriates are required to respect the laws and customs of Saudi Arabia.

Population : 13 Million

Capital : Riyadh

PUBLIC HOLIDAYS

Eid Al-Fitr January 28

Eid Al-Adha April 4

These holidays changes from year to year. Saudi Arabia follows the lunar year which is approximately 11 days shorter than the Gregorian year.

Thursday and Friday are weekly holidays.

However banks are open on Thursdays for business until 12. noon.

TIME ZONE

Greenwich Mean Time plus 3.

Eastern Standard Time plus 8. (day light saving time) or plus 7.

ENTRY AND EXIT

You must possess a valid passport.

All travellers must have valid entry visa before being allowed to enter the Kingdom. You are required to inform us in advance if you have visited Israel or any Communist countries and your passport bears evidence of the visit.

HEALTH REGULATIONS

Prior to granting a residence permit, the Saudi Embassy in your country will insist on a medical check up including the one for AIDS.

LANGUAGE

Arabic is the language of Saudi Arabia. All communications to government departments must be in Arabic. English is widely used as well.

CLIMATE

Central Region
The approximate highest and lowest temperatures during summer are 120 Fahrenheit (50 degrees Centigrade) and 86 degrees Fahrenheit (30 degrees Centigrade) respectively. Humidity levels are low.

During winter, the temperature reaches 65 degrees Fahrenheit (19 degrees Centigrade). The lowest can be -0 degrees Fahrenheit mostly during night.

Western and Eastern Regions
The approximate highest and lowest temperatures during summer are 118 degrees F (40 degrees C) and 70 degrees F (32 degrees C). Humidity levels are high during summer.

During winter the temperatures range between 80 degrees F 30 degrees C) and 50 degrees F (17 degrees C)

Rainfall is scanty in Saudi Arabia.

BUSINESS HOURS

There are no time zones. Most of the shops remain open from 9.00 am until 1.00 PM and again from 4.30 PM until 9.30 PM. usually 6 days a week with the exception of supermarkets which remain open for longer periods. All shops including supermarkets and banks pull down their shutters during prayer times.

The prayer times are as follows:

• Fajr- Anytime between 3 am and 5 am depending on the time of year
• Dhuhr-At noon time.
• Asr-Between 2.45 and 3.30 PM
• Magreb-At sunset.
• Isha- Anytime between 7.30 and 9.00 PM depending on the time of year.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia uses the “Hijra” calendar. Saudi fiscal year begins and ends according to the Zodiac calendar.

RAMADAN SANCTITY

Ramadan, the 9th month of the Hijra year, is a very holy month and Muslims in Saudi Arabia are expected to fast from sunrise to sunset. Non-Muslims are expected to respect the local laws and are not allowed to eat, drink or smoke in public or in their offices during fasting hours.

During Holy month of Ramadan, the working hours in offices and factories will be reduced. All restaurants and shops remain closed during daytime. All activities commence only after breaking of the fast at sunset.

As a result shops open around 9.00 PM and close around 2.00 AM.

HOLIDAYS

Rid Al-Fitr holidays begins at the end of Ramadan. Eid Al-Adha holidays are observed during the 12th month.

Friday is the official rest day in Saudi Arabia.

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