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Up to three-month jail for eating, drinking during Ramadan in Oman

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Up to three-month jail for eating, drinking during Ramadan in Oman

Under the Omani law, it is a criminal offence to eat or drink in public places during fasting hours.

Published: Thu 9 May 2019, 12:34 PM

Updated: Thu 9 May 2019, 3:20 PM

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Like in the UAE, the holy month of Ramadan began on May 6 in Oman.
Under the Omani law, it is a criminal offense to eat or drink in public places during the Ramadan fasting hours. 
Visitors and non-muslims should bare in mind that non-Muslim guests can enjoy meals in their hotels but away from the view of local people. But it may be difficult to find restaurants open during the day. 
Apart from young children below the age of 9, anybody caught drinking or eating before Iftar will be arrested under the Sultanate's penal code. 
Article 49 of the Penal Code defines criminal liability age that starts from the age of nine, top lawyers were quoted in Times of Oman.
"A punishment of imprisonment for a period not less than 10 days and not exceeding three months for whoever is caught eating, drinking or breaking the fast during the fasting hours in public places in the Sultanate," Dr. Mohammed Ibrahim Al Zadjali, Chairman of Mohammed Ibrahim Law Firm told the daily.
Eating inside the car is also prohibited and depends on how the car is parked as it could be visible from outside, the report said.  



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