The Ministry of Commerce prohibits writing the name of God on bags – details of the decision

The Ministry of Commerce issued strict and urgent directives to all commercial establishments and markets, stressing the need to fully comply with not writing the name of God or any of the beautiful names of God on plastic bags, paper wrappers, and boxes that usually end up being thrown in trash cans or subjected to abuse.

Details of the official directive and circular

This move by the Ministry stems from its commitment to upholding the sanctity of God's names and attributes. Regulatory bodies have observed certain commercial practices involving the printing of names containing the name of God on the packaging of consumer products and single-use bags. The Ministry has sent an official letter to the Federation of Saudi Chambers of Commerce, urging all chambers across the Kingdom to disseminate this warning to their members—merchants, factories, and companies—emphasizing the removal of any mention of God's name from perishable or discarded materials.

Religious and social dimensions of the decision

This decision aligns with the Islamic identity of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the cradle of Islam and the birthplace of revelation, where veneration of God's name is a fundamental tenet of the Islamic faith. It is well known that commercial bags and packaging often end up in garbage containers or are discarded on the ground and trampled underfoot, which is contrary to the reverence due to God's Most Beautiful Names. This measure serves as an important reminder of the religious values ​​that must be observed in commercial transactions and marketing designs, ensuring that the religiously prohibited act of unintentionally disrespecting these sacred names is not committed.

Control and regulatory procedures

The Ministry of Commerce affirmed that it will not limit itself to theoretical guidance, but will instead deploy field inspection teams to conduct intensive inspection tours of markets, shopping centers, and factories to ensure compliance with this decision. The Ministry clarified that any violations in this regard will be monitored, and the necessary legal measures will be taken against violating establishments that insist on printing the name of God on packaging materials. The Ministry called upon business owners to review their current designs and amend them to conform to these instructions, in recognition of their religious and national responsibility.

Call to consumers

In a related context, this decision is expected to contribute to raising public awareness about how to handle papers and publications containing references to God. It also encourages consumers to cooperate with the relevant authorities by reporting any products or establishments that violate these regulations through the ministry's official communication channels, ensuring that markets remain free of anything that offends the sanctity of religious tenets.