When people are applying to work in Saudi Arabia, they are asked several personal questions which, in North America, are highly unlikely to be asked, except in specific circumstances. One of these questions is that of religion, and it is asked both on employment application forms and on visa application forms.

Religion definitely plays a large role in Saudi Arabia, not only in the daily lives of its Muslim citizens and Muslim expatriates, but also, to a certain extent, in the daily lives of its non-Muslim expatriates.

• Prayer call, one of the five pillars of Islam, is heard five times a day and lasts for approximately 10 minutes with worshippers hastening to mosques or prayer rooms each time the call is heard. Shops are closed during this time and non-Muslim expatriates will not be served in a restaurant.

• It is common to see people in the hospital waiting rooms, at the airport, etc., reading the Quran.

• The majority of Muslims — thus the majority of the population — fast from sunrise to sunset for the holy month of Ramadan. This means restaurants are closed during daylight hours, and while non-Muslims may eat and drink, they may not do so in public places. In the hospitals, food and beverages can still be purchased, but the items must be taken to closed-off areas.

So if you are applying for a visa to enter Saudi Arabia, you will be asked to list your religion. Applicants do not have to specify their particular sect (e.g., Catholic, Baptist, Lutheran), but they do have to state "Protestant", "Christian," "Muslim," etc. Responses such as "Agnostic" or "Atheist" are not accepted.

However, when you are in the Kingdom, your religion does not disadvantage you. Those who are not Muslim are not expected to become Muslim. Although non-Muslims cannot openly practice their religion, what you do in private (e.g., private prayer) is your own business.