By Roy Mabasa Filipinos traveling to Saudi Arabia are warned to strictly follow a new regulation related to public decency and 19 other offenses to avoid committing violations and face penalties. Department of Foreign Affairs (MANILA BULLETIN) In a statement, the Department of Foreign Affairs said the implementation of the new regulation covers, among others, immodest clothing, public display of affection, taking photos or videos of people without permission, and playing music at prayer times. Saudi police authorities are tasked as the sole authority to monitor offenses and imposed the necessary fines. “The DFA encourages Filipino travelers to familiarize themselves with Saudi public decency laws to avoid violations,” the foreign affairs office said in the statement. For first time offenders, the Saudi government has listed the following types of violations with their corresponding fines ranging from SR50 (about P690) to SR6,000 (P82,800) depending on the gravity of the offense. There are:

1. Indecent behavior that includes any act of sexual nature. Every participant will be penalized (SR3000);
2. Playing music in high volume inside a residential area without obtaining prior approval, and a complaint is made by one or more residents (SR 500);
3. Playing music during prayer times (SR1000);
4. Non-removal of pet excrement by owner (SR100);
5. Littering in non-designated areas and spitting (SR500);
6. Occupying the seats and facilities designated for the elderly and the disabled (SR200);
7. Bypassing barriers to access public places (SR500);
8. Wearing improper clothing in public places. Dress code for visitors to Saudi Arabia shall be in accordance with the standards set for such purpose (SR100);
9. Dressed only in underwear or sleepwear (SR100);
10. Wearing in public places clothing that bears profane language or obscene images or symbols (SR100);
11. Wearing in public places clothing that bears language, images or symbols that encourage discrimination or racism, or promote porn or drug use (SR500);
12. Writing or drawing, or any other similar act, without authorization on public transportation vehicles and on public walls (SR100);
13. Placing slogans or images on public transportation vehicles that encourage racism, promote porn or advocate drug use (SR100);
14. Placing commercial labels and distributing flyers in public places without permission (SR100);
15. Igniting fires in non-designated areas in parks and public places (SR100);
16. Any act, whether physical or verbal, that may harm, frighten or endanger any individual in a public place (SR100);
17. Skipping waiting lines in public places, unless permitted (SR50);
18. Exposing people in public places to harmful lightings, such as laser beams, that may harm, frighten or endanger such people (SR100), and,
19. Taking pictures or videos of people, traffic accidents, crimes or other incidents without permission. The images taken shall be deleted (SR1000).

For repeat offenders, fines will be double the amount of the first offense. All offenders have the right to submit a grievance claim before the Common Courtesy Department and to appeal any penalties. Moreover, any person harmed by offenders shall have the right to file a lawsuit.