IS YOUR NAME HARAM IN SAUDI ARABIA? HERE’S WHY THE KINGDOM BANNED THESE BABY NAMES

Photo: Albawaba

Riyadh, 12 Shawwal 1436/28 July 2015 (MINA) – Considered one of the most important decisions in a parent’s life, the choice is under enough scrutiny. If you’re living in Saudi Arabia, achieving that family milestone just got harder.

Saudi Arabia is known for some questionable practices: public executions, a ban on women driving, and segregated gender lines for grocery shopping. But a list of banned baby names ranks high up on the list,  Albawaba quoted by Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA).

If you’re a parent planning on having kids anytime soon, you may want to take a look at this complete list of banned names issued in June 2014. They range from predictable (for Saudi Arabia) to just plain confusing.

Luckily we’re here to tell you the list of reasons the kingdom cites for the outlawed names. That’s not to say the bans make sense with these explanations — far from it — but at least it gives you a window into the thoughts of the monarchy.

Also Read: Yemeni Houthis Launch Hypersonic Missile at Israeli Airbase

According to the site, here’s a complete list of banned names issued last year:

Malaak

Abdul Aati

Abdul Mueen

Also Read: Syria’s New Revolutionary Flag Raised at UN Headquarters

Abdul Nab

Abdul Naser

Abdul Musleh

Abdul Rasool

Also Read: ICC Rejects Israel’s Request to Suspend Arrest Warrants for Netanyahu and Gallant

Abrar

Alice

Al-Mamlaka

Amir

Also Read: Yemeni Armed Forces Strike Israeli and US Targets Amid Gaza Crisis

Aram

Barrah

Basil

Basmala (Bismillah)

Also Read: Qatari Parliament Speaker Calls for Unified Parliamentary Action to End Israeli Aggression in Gaza

Bayan

Binyamin (Benjamin)

Elaine

Iman

Also Read: Erdogan Questions Absence of Sanctions on Israel

Inar

Jibreel (Gabriel)

Kibrial

Lareen

Also Read: US Airstrikes on Yemen’s Ras Isa Port Kill 58, Injure Over 100

Lauren

Linda

Loland

Malika

Also Read: US Cargo Planes Deliver Heavy Weapons to Israel

Maline

Mamlaka

Maya

Nabi

Also Read: Israeli Army Demolishes Christian Saint George Statue in South Lebanon

Nabiyya

Nardeen

Nareej

Naris

Also Read: Houthi Claim Missile Attacks on Israeli Ben Gurion Airport

Rama

Randa

Rital

Sandy

Sitav

Sumuw

Tabarak

Taline

Tilaj

Yara

Wireelam. (T/P010/R04)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)