Warden Notice 09/04 (05 October 2004)

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) revised the Travel Advice for Saudi Arabia on 4 October to include a factual reference to the incident outside Seder Village compound in Riyadh on 1 October. The detailed advice is available at www.fco.gov.uk/travel and select the country Saudi Arabia, or on the Embassy's website www.britishembassy.gov.uk/saudiarabia via the short cut menu.

We continue to believe terrorists are planning further attacks. People who choose to remain in the Kingdom should maintain the highest level of vigilance. They should take all necessary steps to protect their safety and ensure they have confidence in their individual security arrangements.

As the Holy month of Ramadhan will begin soon, I should like to remind you that throughout the month sensitivity to local customs is even more important. The Islamic requirement that every Muslim fast between sunrise and sunset is strictly observed in Saudi Arabia. In Ramadhan during those hours any person drinking, eating or smoking in public risks arrest and deportation.

We would also advise against drawing unnecessary attention to yourself, and to observe modesty in your dress and behaviour. In order to avoid confrontation it is wise to follow requests from the Muttawa.

Maria Knapp
Consular Assistant

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Visit http://www.fco.gov.uk for British foreign policy news and travel advice; and http://www.i-uk.com - the essential guide to the UK.

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