Saudi authorities warned it would oust non-Muslim foreigners who smoke, drink or eat in public a few days before the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan was expected to begin. The Gulf country’s interior ministry asked non-Muslims to consider the sentiments of those who choose to refrain from smoking, drinking or eating while at work during Ramadan.

“They are not excused for being non-Muslims. Labour contracts stipulate respect for Muslim rites. Those who violate (that) will face the necessary measures, including terminating work contracts and being deported,” read a statement released by the ministry on June 26th.

Saudi Arabia, which abides by the stringent Sharia law, receives more than nine million foreigners each year, most of whom are Asians. The oil-rich country is infamous for its arbitrary crackdowns on anything it perceives anti-Islamic. The kingdom also introduced a series of new laws recently that define atheists as terrorists.

During Ramadan, adherents of Islam are expected to fast from dawn to dusk, striving to be charitable and pious. They are expected to refrain from eating food, drinking fluids, smoking and having sex during this period. Ramadan is among the five basic religious obligations under Islam.