RIYADH — Saudi Arabia has officially approved a new set of binding regulations that establish unified standards for naming public facilities across the Kingdom, introducing clear religious, administrative, and governance-based restrictions.
The new policy, titled “Rules and Standards for Naming Public Facilities,” was endorsed by the Saudi Cabinet and published in the Umm Al-Qura Official Gazette. According to the announcement, the regulations will take effect 120 days from the date of publication and will be enforced nationwide.
Wide Scope of Application
Under the new framework, the definition of public facilities has been significantly broadened. The regulations apply to all government-owned properties, including but not limited to municipal buildings, schools, universities, cultural centers, sports facilities, mosques, hospitals, transport hubs, and other state-run infrastructure.
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Each government authority will be responsible for naming facilities under its jurisdiction, provided the process aligns with the new standards and existing laws.
Mandatory Executive Bylaws
The rules require all government entities to draft and implement their own executive bylaws governing the naming process. These bylaws must address organizational structures, technical criteria, operational procedures, and oversight mechanisms to ensure transparency and accountability in naming decisions.
Religious and Political Restrictions
The regulations introduce firm prohibitions on certain naming practices. Public facilities cannot be named after Saudi Kings, Crown Princes, or leaders of friendly or allied countries unless prior approval is granted directly by the King.
Most notably, any name that contradicts Islamic Sharia principles is strictly prohibited, reinforcing the Kingdom’s commitment to religious values in public life.
Limited Use of the Names of Allah
The use of the Names of Allah is also tightly regulated. Only seven Names are permitted for naming public facilities:
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Al-Salam
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Al-Adl
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Al-Awwal
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Al-Nur
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Al-Haqq
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Al-Shahid
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Al-Malik
Any other Divine Names are not allowed under the new rules.
Naming Facilities After Individuals
When public facilities are named after individuals, authorities must conduct due diligence to confirm the person’s moral integrity, intellectual orientation, and security or criminal background, in coordination with relevant government bodies.
Additionally, the chosen name must be appropriate to the individual’s status, reputation, and societal standing.
Standardized Naming Categories
The Ministry of Municipalities and Housing will issue official naming classifications after coordinating with concerned authorities. All government bodies are required to comply with these categories when assigning names.
Final approval authority rests with the head of the relevant government entity, though this power may be delegated if necessary.
Numerical Naming and Centralized Records
The regulations allow public facilities to be named using numerical identifiers, either alone or in combination with approved names.
To improve coordination and avoid duplication, each government entity must establish and maintain a comprehensive database of all public facility names under its authority. These records must be updated regularly and submitted annually to the General Authority for Survey and Geospatial Information.
Repeal of Previous Regulations
The new framework отменates earlier Cabinet decisions related to the naming of streets and squares, as well as any existing regulations that conflict with the updated standards.
Modernization and National Identity
The move is part of Saudi Arabia’s broader efforts to modernize administrative systems, standardize public-sector practices, and ensure that public naming conventions reflect Islamic principles, sound governance, and national identity.
