Article 3 of the Saudi Public Decency Regulations
المادة 3 من لائحة المحافظة على الذوق العام
The article requires everyone in a public place to respect the values, customs, traditions and prevailing culture in the Kingdom.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
يجب على كل من يكون في مكان عام احترام القيم والعادات والتقاليد والثقافة السائدة في المملكة.
This is the official Arabic wording, the only legally binding version. We do not translate the law itself; the explanation below is ours. Official source: Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers
Article 3 explained in plain English
Article 3 sets the general duty on which the Regulations rest: everyone in a public place must respect:
- The values.
- The customs.
- The traditions.
- The prevailing culture in the Kingdom.
This duty is worded in general terms and does not list particular behaviors. But the following articles detail some of its forms, among them Article 4, which prohibits appearing in a public place in indecent dress, or wearing dress that carries pictures, shapes, signs or phrases that offend public decency.
This duty is linked to the two definitions in Article 1: public decency is the set of behavior and manners that express the society's values, principles and identity according to the foundations in the Basic Law of Governance, and public places are sites open to the public free of charge or for a fee. It is also linked to Article 2, which makes the Regulations apply to everyone who visits public places.
The phrase "the prevailing culture in the Kingdom" makes the reference point what prevails in Saudi society, not what the person is used to in his own country or private environment. Anyone alleged to have breached this general duty who believes his conduct did not breach it can consult a specialized lawyer in administrative cases (the Board of Grievances).
Translated from our Arabic explanation with machine assistance. For guidance only; it does not replace advice from a lawyer on your situation.
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Frequently asked questions about Article 3 of the Saudi Public Decency Regulations
What is the general duty on someone in a public place in Saudi Arabia?
He must respect the values, customs, traditions and prevailing culture in the Kingdom.
Does the article specify the prohibited behaviors?
No. The article sets a general duty, and the following articles detail some of its forms, such as the prohibition of indecent dress in Article 4.
More articles on Public Decency and Scope of the Regulations
- Article 1
The article defines public decency as the behavior and manners that express the society's values, principles and identity, and public places as sites open to the public free of charge or for a fee.
لأغراض تطبيق هذه اللائحة، يقصد بالعبارات والألفاظ الآتية المعاني الواردة أمام كل منها، ما لم يقتضِ السياق غير ذلك: 1- اللائحة: لائحة المحافظة على الذوق العام. 2
- Article 2
The article provides that the Public Decency Regulations apply to everyone who visits public places.
تسري اللائحة على كل من يرتاد الأماكن العامة.
- Article 10
Article 10 provides that the Public Decency Regulations are published in the Official Gazette and take effect thirty days after the date of publication.
تُنشر اللائحة في الجريدة الرسمية، ويعمل بها بعد (ثلاثين) يوماً من تاريخ نشرها.
The texts are reproduced from the official website of the Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers for reference; where they differ, the officially published Arabic text prevails. This content is not legal advice.