The Saudi Ministry of Commerce has issued strict and binding directives to all commercial establishments and national factories, prohibiting the printing or writing of the "Beautiful Names of God" or Quranic verses on plastic and paper bags, containers, and various packaging materials. This decisive decision comes in response to higher orders and directives from the Ministry of Interior, aimed at protecting the name of God and sacred texts from disrespect, especially since these containers often end up in trash bins and landfills.
Supervisory action to protect holy sites
This intensified regulatory action came in response to official reports indicating a significant increase in the practice of inscribing sacred phrases and the names and attributes of God on the packaging of consumer products. The relevant authorities considered this behavior a clear violation of the sanctity of these names and a transgression against their inviolability, thus necessitating immediate intervention to halt these practices, which some may engage in unintentionally or due to a lack of awareness of Islamic guidelines regarding commercial design.
Legal reference and fatwas
The government directives were based directly on religious edicts (fatwas) issued by the Council of Senior Scholars and the Permanent Committee for Scholarly Research and Ifta in the Kingdom. These fatwas definitively prohibited placing the names and attributes of God or Quranic verses in any location that might expose them to disrespect or desecration, such as on commercial papers, newspapers, and disposable bags. The fatwas also emphasized the necessity of showing reverence for God's symbols in all transactions and applying the principle of "blocking the means" to prevent any practice that could lead to the denigration of sacred texts.
Historical context and established systems
This directive is not entirely new; rather, it reaffirms and renews historical royal decrees that established the principle of "preventive prohibition." The Chambers of Commerce reiterated the decrees issued in 1407 AH and 1415 AH, which explicitly prohibited the use of newspapers or papers containing the name of God for packaging or travel purposes (such as tablecloths). This historical sequence of decisions reflects the Kingdom's constant and unwavering commitment to preserving Islamic identity and respecting religious rites in the public sphere and the commercial sector, given its status as the Qibla of Muslims and the birthplace of revelation.
The role of chambers of commerce and immediate compliance
In response to the ministerial directive, the Federation of Saudi Chambers and chambers of commerce in various regions joined the crisis response, extending the ban to all participating merchants and industrialists. The chambers emphasized the following points:
- Immediate removal: Withdraw and destroy any existing printouts that violate this directive.
- Design modifications: Reviewing new packaging designs and adopting marketing alternatives that respect public taste and Sharia regulations.
- Legal accountability: Emphasizing that compliance with these regulations is a religious and legal obligation, and that violation exposes the establishment to accountability.
Social and ethical significance
This decision has implications that extend beyond mere commercial regulation, aiming to raise public awareness of the need to respect religious symbols in daily life. It also protects consumers from the religious embarrassment of having to dispose of containers bearing the name of God with household waste. The decision emphasizes that commercial and marketing development should not come at the expense of the established principles and values of Saudi society.
