SRINAGAR: Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Commerce has announced a ban on printing the 99 names of Allah on disposable packaging materials, citing the need to prevent any potential disrespect.
The decision was conveyed by the Ministry’s spokesperson, Abdul Rahman Al Hussain, in a post on X. He said the trade names law, approved by the Ministry a few months earlier, clearly states that registered trade names must not include any names listed under prohibited categories, nor the names of government or semi-government entities. The law also requires strict compliance with regulations governing the use of the name Saudi Arabia and the names of cities.
حرصًا على تعظيم أسماء الله الحسنى وصونها ..
يُـمنع على المنشآت التجارية كتابة أسماء الله الحسنى أو لفظ الجلالة على كل ما يؤدي إلى تعرضها للامتهان ، مثل: ( الأكياس و الأغلفة ) التي يؤول مصيرها إلى الاستخدام غير اللائق .
— المتحدث الرسمي لوزارة التجارة (@spokesman_mc) January 12, 2026
According to the Saudi Press Agency, the Ministry has instructed chambers of commerce across the Kingdom to relay the directive to their members and to all commercial establishments.
The Ministry said the move is intended to ensure that the 99 names of Allah are not printed on items that could be handled casually or misused, thereby preserving their sanctity.
It further stressed that it will continue to monitor markets across the Kingdom to ensure compliance with the instructions and will initiate legal action against those found violating the order.
