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Article 5 of the Saudi Public Decency Regulations

المادة 5 من لائحة المحافظة على الذوق العام

The article prohibits writing, drawing or the like on the walls, components or contents of a public place or on means of transport, unless licensed by the relevant authority.

Official text (Arabic)

This article has not been amended since the law was issued.

لا تجوز الكتابة أو الرسم أو ما في حكمهما على جدران مكان عام، أو أي من مكوناته، أو موجوداته، أو أي من وسائل النقل؛ ما لم يكن مرخصاً بذلك من الجهة المعنية.

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 5 explained in plain English

Article 5 deals with another form of violating public decency: writing or drawing in public places. The elements of the prohibition are:

  • The prohibited act: writing, drawing, or the like.
  • The object of the act:
    • The walls of the public place.
    • Any of its components.
    • Or its contents.
    • Or any means of transport.
  • The exception: where the act is licensed by the relevant authority.

The prohibition does not bar artworks in public places absolutely; it requires a license for them. The article does not name the authority concerned with licensing or its procedures.

Under Article 1, a public place is any site open to the public free of charge or for a fee, such as gardens, roads, walkways, means of transport and shopping malls.

The article follows Article 4, which prohibits appearing in a public place in indecent dress or dress that carries offensive pictures or phrases. It is followed by Article 6, which prohibits in public places any word or act that harms those who visit them, damages them, frightens them or exposes them to danger.

Anyone who wants to carry out an artistic mural in a public place must first obtain a license from the relevant authority. Anyone against whom a violation has been issued despite holding a license can consult a specialized lawyer in administrative cases (the Board of Grievances).

Practical example

A group of young people draw on the wall of a pedestrian tunnel in Dammam without any license, and this is a violation of this article. An artist who obtained a license from the relevant authority to paint a mural at the same site, by contrast, does not fall within the prohibition.

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 5 of the Saudi Public Decency Regulations

Is writing on walls a violation in Saudi Arabia?

Yes. Writing, drawing or the like on the walls, components or contents of a public place or on means of transport is not permitted unless licensed by the relevant authority.

Can artistic murals be painted in public places?

They can, if licensed by the relevant authority.

Does the prohibition include writing on buses and other means of transport?

Yes. The text covers any means of transport.

More articles on Offensive Dress and Writing on Walls

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.