The five pillars of Islam are the foundation of Muslim life and obligations: Shahadah (professing belief in one God), Salat (prayer performed five times a day), Zakat (charity for the less fortunate), Sawm (fasting during Ramadan), and Hajj (pilgrimage to Mecca for those able). When interacting in Saudi Arabia, one should be aware of conservative social customs like modest dress for women, avoiding public mixing of sexes, and following etiquette around gifts, invitations, and dining. Foreigners are advised to dress conservatively and avoid prohibited acts like alcohol consumption or public displays of affection.

2. The five pillars of Islam will help you understand general and
business etiquette of Saudi Arabia. The five pillars of Islam are the
foundation of Muslim life and obligations to every able-bodied
Muslim
Witness, or Shahadah, is a statement professing that there is one God
and accepting Muhammad as God’s messenger. The Shahadah is
generally said in Arabic.
Prayer, or Salat, is performed five times a day according to Islamic
tradition. Prayers are said at dawn, mid-day, late-afternoon, sunset and
nightfall. These prayers determine the rhythm of the entire day in many
parts of the Muslim world.
Charity, or Zakat, is a financial obligation upon Muslims to help the
less fortunate. Each Muslim calculates his or her own zakat. It is
generally accepted by most communities that the zakat is 2.5 percent
of a person’s wealth.
Fasting, or Sawm, is practiced during the Islamic lunar month of
Ramadan. The fast lasts from dawn until sundown and it includes
abstaining from eating, drinking and sexual relations. There are
several groups of people exempt from the fast including the ill, the
elderly, children, travelers and women menstruating.
02
06
05
04
01
03
Pilgrimage, or Haj, is an obligatory visit to the Islamic holy city of
Mecca for those physically and financially able. The haj begins in the
twelfth month of the Islamic lunar calendar.
You should know

3. Etiquette and Customs
1
3
5
2
4
6
Do not point the soles of
your feet toward anyone.
Keep your feet flat on the
ground and avoid
crossing your legs.
Men will commonly hold
hands as a sign of
friendship and will stand
closer to one another
than in Western cultures.
Avoid criticism of the royal
family and discussion of
sensitive political topics.
Never interrupt Muslims
during prayer &
Do not enter a mosque
unless invited.
When interacting in a Muslim
society like that of the KSA,
adapting to the culture of
public modesty, generosity
and honour are key to
success. These themes
permeate everyday
interactions, and dictate the
rules of etiquette and social
customs
Titles are used often, and
anyone with an M.D. or
Ph.D. should be
addressed as Doctor.
Prestige and honorifics
are extremely important
in Saudi society.

4. Invitation
02
Do not enter a
house or room
without explicit
invitation by the
host.
03
If invited to a meal,
the host is expected
to pay. It is common
for the host to
escort the guest to
the door or to his
car.
04
Avoid expressing
admiration for your
host’s possessions.
The host may feel
compelled to offer it
to you.
01
Remove your shoes
before entering a
home.
06
It is not appropriate
for a woman to ask
a Saudi man to
dinner or to eat
alone, it may be
perceived as a
sexual solicitation.
07
Though it is unlikely
that a Saudi man
would extend an
invitation, women
should politely
decline a one-on-
one dinner invitation
from a Saudi man.
08
Saudi businessmen
or officials may
invite an entire
business group
(including women)
to a meal. This
would most likely be
a catered/private
event rather than at
a restaurant.
05
Women usually will
dine in a separate
room with other
women and
children, even at
restaurants.

5. Gifts
• DO NOT consume ANY food or beverage in public
(including chewing gum, mints, etc…)
• Be especially conservative in your dress code.
During the month of Ramadan
01
You may be asked
repeatedly to accept a gift
or more food at a meal, as
demonstrations of
generosity are critical to
one’s standing and
prestige.
02
Likewise, a guest may
turn down offered food
as a show of modesty,
but you should make
the invitation that he
eats with you.
04
Gifts are not
normally opened in
front of the giver.
03
Avoid giving gifts
made of pigskin or
products containing
alcohol.

6. 3.
A scarf covering
hair and neck, or
hejab, should be
worn in public.
1.
Avoid revealing
the shoulders,
arms and legs.
2.
Foreign women may wear
conservative Western outfits.
Nevertheless, women should wear an
abaya - a large cloak type garment
that covers one from the neck to wrist
to ankle over their clothes at all times.
For foreign men,
Western dress
is the norm.
2.
Avoid wearing
shorts and
sleeveless shirts
1.
Suits are worn for
business meetings
and related social
events.
4.
Standard wear in the
office is a shirt (usually
long-sleeved) - a tie and
lightweight trousers.
3.
Man dressing
Woman
dressing
Dress Code Foreigners are not expected to wear
Saudi dress, however it is advised that
you dress conservatively.

7. What not to do
Do Not Consume
Alcoholic Beverages.
Consumption of alcohol is
illegal. Do not attempt to
import or purchase
alcoholic beverages
within KSA.
Do Not Socialize in Public
with Members of the
Opposite Sex. Foreign
women have been arrested
for socializing with a man
who is not a close relative
on charges of prostitution.
Religious Police may ask
to see proof that a couple
is married or related.
Do Not Photograph any
government or military
installations (or people
without prior approval).
Avoid Using Your Left Hand. In
KSA, using your left hand is
considered unclean. Do not eat
with your left hand. Do not
shake hands with your left hand.
Do not offer business cards or
gifts with your left hand.
Do Not Publicly Demonstrate
Romantic Affection. Embracing,
holding hands, or showing any
signs of romantic affection in
public is not appropriate.
Do Not Import Objectionable
Electronic Content: Ensure your
electronic equipment is clean.
All equipment, including cell
phones and cameras should not
contain material that could be
deemed objectionable.
What not
to do

8. THANK YOU