August 24, 2005

Saudi to Open for Tourism

Saudi Arabia has finally decided to let infidel tourists into the country. The Religious Policeman (a Saudi blogger living in Britain) “interviews” the tourism minister. (Hat tip: Callimachus)

RP: So anyone can fly into Riyadh or Jeddah and just pick up a visa at the airport?

M: Men can, certainly, and married couples, as long as they can prove they’re married, so they’ll need to bring a Marriage Certificate, four copies translated into Arabic and certified by a lawyer. Not a Jewish lawyer, naturally. Women, on the other hand, will need to be sponsored by someone inside Saudi Arabia.

RP: But suppose they don’t know anyone in the country?

M: Well, we can’t help them there, can we? We’re not a Dating Agency.

RP: And what about couples who aren’t married, or gay couples?

M: Well as you know, we behead homosexuals, and stone adulterous or loose women to death, so it’s probably best if we don’t let them in in the first place, otherwise there’ll be no end of paperwork.
Posted by Michael J. Totten at August 24, 2005 01:11 PM
Comments

"Not a Jewish lawyer, naturally."

Naturally?

How do they get away with this stuff?

Oh, right, oil.

Sigh.

Posted by: sean at August 24, 2005 01:27 PM

Ahhh. I missed that this was a fictional (but true to life) interview.

Haha on the swimwear... although I did note that they sell this hot little number as well.

http://www.hasema.com/shopen/proddetail.asp?prod=H110

Posted by: sean at August 24, 2005 01:32 PM

Sean: "Ahhh. I missed that this was a fictional (but true to life) interview."

Yes, that's why I put "interview" in quotation marks.

Posted by: Michael J. Totten at August 24, 2005 01:58 PM

Dear Ministry of Tourism, K.S.A.,

I'm interested in taking my Bible class to Saudi Arabia as part of an exchange program with Koranic scholars.

We'd like to bring along some gift Bibles for our Saudi counterparts as they have previously given us some excellent Korans when they visited us in Iowa.

Could you please confirm if this will be okay?

Thanks.

Posted by: Aaron at August 24, 2005 11:08 PM

am I at scrappleface or Totten?
verra cute interview, "no end of paperwork" indeed :)

Posted by: Jim, Mtn View CA at August 25, 2005 10:25 AM

This was a joke right?

Posted by: Jim Jones at September 2, 2005 10:36 PM
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