Riyadh - Post Report Question and Answers
What English-language religious services are available locally?
Nothing public. - Dec 2024
Unaware of any locally available religious services outside of Islamic services. Any other religion must be practiced privately in your own home. - Jul 2021
There are a number of discreet options if you ask around. - Feb 2018
Um, none? Islam rules, obviously. But chances are you'll figure something out under the radar. - Jan 2017
More than you think. Of course it's all deeply underground, but Christian services are there. Under no circumstance should you attend religious services that are not held on the premises of an Embassy. Do not mention or discuss these with Muslims or Saudis. Ask the CLO or Management shortly after you arrive for details. There is a Catholic Mass in English every week, inquire at the Embassy (but not from a Muslim employee or from a Saudi). There is a very active but smallish community of Anglicans/Episcopalians that meet every other week for services, including the Holy Eucharist, at some Embassy or other. I attended those services and they were a lovely group of people. There are always a few Jews within the diplomatic community in Riyadh. I did attend a seder or two in Riyadh in diplomatic homes in the DQ, but again the highest level of discretion is strongly advised. 99.9 percent of Saudis cannot tell Jews apart from Christians, even names that are typically Jewish to us mean nothing to them, so that ignorance too is a saving grace. Obviously this place would be impossible for orthodox Jews to live in, Conservative or Reform Jews would have an easier time but again discretion is the watchword. If you have a diplomatic passport they can't touch you. But I did meet a handful of U.S. Jews outside the diplomatic community and I admired their bravery. Put any religious articles (crosses, menorahs, Bibles, hymnals, prayer books, etc.) in your diplomatic household effects, and the Saudis will be none the wiser. - May 2016
None. It's a Muslim country. Other religions are illegal. - Nov 2015
There are some secret masses organized by embassies. - Oct 2015
Catholic mass, but it's under the radar. No churches. Religions other than Islam are illegal. - Oct 2015
Mormon, Catholic etc. but all are clandestine. - Jan 2015
Ask when you arrive. Mormons take care of their own. - Sep 2014
There is a gathering of Christians on Fridays. - Dec 2013
None, there are no churches here, only mosques. - Oct 2013
Everything but Islam is illegal, but private services of various denominations do exist. - Mar 2013
They are not publicly advertised but are available. - Apr 2011
No religious services other than Islam are allowed here. - Mar 2010
Not a chance. - Jan 2010
Protestant and Catholic services are held privately on the DQ. I heard that there are Mormon services out in the city, but that's incredibly risky. - Dec 2009
None--per our Saudi friends, all other religions are illegal (HARAM) as are Bibles and crosses or any service. - Oct 2008
Private, hidden. - Aug 2008
