Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is practiced in parts of Saudi Arabia, both among non-Saudi residents (primarily from countries where FGM is common, such as Sudan, Somalia, Eritrea, and Egypt) and, to a lesser extent, within the Saudi population itself. The practice is driven by cultural and social factors rather than a specific religious mandate, and there is currently no clear and specific law against FGM in Saudi Arabia.
Uncircumcised Muslims are rare. The rate of circumcision in Muslim nations is between 90 and 100 percent. This includes the Christians who form a significant part of some Arab states. Studies indicate that the rate of circumcision in the USA is between 58 and 70 percent.
Tips on What to Wear in Saudi Arabia
T-shirts reaching the elbow are generally acceptable. Overall it's best to wear long baggy tops, long pants/trousers, or loose skirts and dresses that reach to the ankle. The only times you should stray from this rule is in your room, or on beaches clearly designated for swimwear.
In Saudi Arabia circumcision is a religious practice done for every Muslim male.
Saudi law and social practice prohibit unmarried opposite-sex couples from cohabiting in private homes. Cohabitation by unmarried couples can be treated as an offense under the country's public decency and moral conduct provisions.
Acts such as hugging, kissing, or holding hands are typically reserved for private spaces, even among married couples. This cultural expectation upholds the values of privacy and decorum and is a part of Saudi society's adherence to Islamic principles, which encourage modest interactions.
Polygamous marriages are legally recognized for men in Saudi Arabia, in accordance with Islamic Sharia law, which allows for Muslim men to marry up to four wives, provided that he treats them equally and shares all his wealth equally.
Conclusions: Pain is mild to moderate after circumcision in adults under general anesthesia with an intraoperative penile block. Severe pain is rare and mostly related to complications. Younger patients generally have more discomfort.
Lebanon. Lebanon is unique in that it has by far the lowest circumcision rate in the Arab world. As of 2025, only 59.7% of Lebanese men are circumcised, compared to over 85% in other Arab countries.
In Japan, routine male circumcision has never been implemented for newborns and children, and adult males are mostly circumcised at aesthetic clinics. However, media reports indicate a trend of Japanese mothers willing to have their sons circumcised.
The public expression of other religions is forbidden by law including the wearing of religious jewellery, including the crucifix. We would request that you observe and respect local traditions, customs, laws at all times and be aware of your actions to ensure that they do not offend.
If you are visiting religious places, you will need shoes that are easy to remove but are still comfortable and supportive. Strappy sandals, court shoes and heels might be appropriate for ladies attending weddings, formal gatherings or going on shopping sprees, and flip-flops are always handy.
Can Women Walk Alone in Saudi Arabia? Yes, women can travel alone in Saudi Arabia, especially in major cities like Riyadh and Jeddah, as long as they follow public safety guidelines and respect local laws. Many travelers can be reassured that Riyadh is safe for women, making it easier to plan trips there.
The CDC researchers estimated total circumcision prevalence to be 80.5% (Table 1). Racial differences were apparent: Prevalence was 90.8% in non-Hispanic white, 75.7% in non-Hispanic black, and 44.0% in Mexican American males.
In Muslim-majority countries like Pakistan, male circumcision is considered an essential religious practice. This obligation contributes to large surgical volumes, making it even more important that circumcisions should be performed safely with the lowest possible risk of adverse events.
Australia has seen a decrease in circumcision rates over the last 70 years or so. Back in the 1950s, roughly 80 per cent of Australian men and boys were circumcised. That rate has steadily decreased and now, around 20 per cent of Australian newborns are circumcised.
There are no systematic reports of accurate prevalence of circumcision in Latin America, but isolated reports from selected groups from Latin American and the Caribbean ranging from 5% in Dominican Republic and Haiti to 11% (Panama, Costa Rica and Colombia), and 38% in Mexico.
Sikhism. Sikhism does not require the elective circumcision of its followers and strongly criticizes the practice.
The usual procedure for managing the extracted foreskin is to dispose of it in the biological waste, but some studies have revealed the huge potential of foreskin cells as an important resource for medical research.
Constipation: Anesthesia and prescription pain medication can cause constipation. Be sure to drink plenty of water and eat plenty of vegetables and fruit. Use over the counter stool softener (docusate, Colace) or laxative (Sena, Senokot).
Eventually, the foreskin should be retracted far enough during urination to see the meatus (the hole where the urine comes from). This prevents urine from building up beneath the foreskin and possibly causing an infection. As long as the foreskin doesn't easily retract, only the outside needs to be cleaned.
Cardiovascular diseases top the list of causes of death in Saudi Arabia, accounting for 20.75% of total deaths. This high percentage necessitates the allocation of intensive healthcare resources for preventive measures, early diagnostics, and effective treatments.
Known cases. Polyandry in Tibet was a common practice and continues to a lesser extent today. A survey of 753 Tibetan families by Tibet University in 1988 found that 13% practiced polyandry. Polyandry in India still exists among minorities, and also in Bhutan, and the northern parts of Nepal.
Conditions for marrying a foreigner from outside Saudi Arabia. A marriage permit application is submitted by the Ministry of Interior if a Saudi wants to marry a foreign woman who does not reside in the Kingdom.