RIYADH, Saudi Arabia — The government of Saudi Arabia warned that it will deport non-Muslims who eat, drink or smoke in public during the Islamic fasting month of Ramadan.

An Interior Ministry statement said non-Muslims who publicly violate the fasting month will have to "suffer the consequences," which include the loss of jobs and deportation.

The ministry issues a similar warning every year just before the start of Ramadan, which began this year on Nov. 27. The starting date is tied to the sighting of a new moon.

There are 6 million expatriates living in Saudi Arabia, of whom 2 million are non-Muslims. The kingdom has a population of about 19 million.

Ramadan is the holiest month in the Islamic calendar. Muslims believe it was in Ramadan when the Quran, their holy book, was revealed to the prophet Mohammed some 1,400 years ago.

During the month, devout Muslims around the world abstain from eating, drinking, smoking and sex between sunrise and sunset.

Saudi Arabia is the home of Islam's holiest shrines in Mecca and Medina and views itself as the chief protector of the faith.

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