Don’t beat children, Saudis visiting UK told

BEWARE: Saudi tourists have been told to respect local laws. (Courtesy photo)

DAMMAM: The Saudi Embassy in the United Kingdom has explained official instructions issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to those traveling to Britain, and stressed the need to comply with all instructions fully and respect state regulations in order to avoid exposure to legal accountability and deportation.
The embassy said citizens must ensure they have rightfully applied for the visa to travel to the United Kingdom and familiarize themselves with all provisions of issued visa, including knowledge of length of stay, allowable periods, and terms for study.
The embassy’s instructions, which come in light of the rising number of Saudi tourists in Britain, also warn about mass gatherings. “Beware of places with large gatherings of Arabs due to increased thefts during the holiday, and be wary of visiting insecure sites, especially at inappropriate times,” the embassy said.
Other warnings include refraining from carrying large sums of money equal to or more than 10,000 euros or other currency, upon entering the country without accurately declaring such funds, as well as avoiding carrying ATM cards during day trips.
The embassy also warned about the proper treatment of children, noting that “hitting children and violent treatment may subject visitors to the UK to legal accountability.”
Visitors can also register their passport, entry visa and flight information via the embassy’s website.
Citizens should refrain from registering with any institutes or academic institutions if they have been issued a visit or tourist visa, as violation of visa terms can lead to imprisonment and deportation.
Visitors should fully respect the laws and regulations of the host country, refrain from giving out any donations, financial or in-kind funds, and refrain from giving religious guidance or advice without official approval from Saudi authorities.
Debates or dealing with any suspected groups or individuals should be avoided, the ministry warned, noting that Friday prayers take place at the embassy’s mosque for all tourists and students. As per British law, insurance for cars and drivers should also be obtained, and all traffic regulations followed and respected, including speeding regulations.