Saudi Times: An Authentic Portrait of Saudi Arabia

Silhouette of oil pump jacks at sunset symbolizing Saudi Arabia’s economic transformation and energy transition toward a post-oil, data-driven future.

From Oil Barrels to Data Streams: Saudi Arabia’s Real Transformation

In the 1970s, Saudi families measured prosperity by new Toyotas and air-conditioned homes. Today, the symbols of wealth are changing again—from oil rigs to laptops, from concrete to code. As the Kingdom moves toward a post-oil future, its greatest challenge may not be economic but cultural: how 36 million Saudis learn to redefine success in a world powered by knowledge rather than crude.

by Dahlia Rahaimy | 15th Oct 2025

Modern office in Saudi Arabia with men and women working together, reflecting evolving work culture that blends tradition and modern practices.

What’s it like working in Saudi Arabia?

Working in Saudi Arabia isn’t what it used to be. A wave of reforms, a new generation of professionals, and expanding industries are reshaping everything from office dynamics to job opportunities. Whether you're a local or an expat, the workplace here is a blend of tradition and change — formal in structure, but surprisingly warm and flexible in tone.

by Dahlia Rahaimy | 15th Oct 2025

A hand tapping a smartphone with glowing warning icons, symbolizing cybersecurity threats and digital protection.

Saudi Arabia’s Best Firewall Is Called Fatemah

From a nation once known for limiting women’s access to the Internet emerges the woman now guarding it. Dr. Fatemah Alharbi, twice named Top Cybersecurity Woman of the World, embodies both personal excellence and Saudi Arabia’s digital transformation.

by Dahlia Rahaimy | 14th Oct 2025

Riyadh’s skyline glows with laughter. The city’s first major comedy festival turns entertainment into a quiet marker of cultural change.

Riyadh Comedy Festival Draws Global Debate

When the Riyadh Comedy Festival opened in late September, its laughter carried more than amusement. Featuring 50 global comedians, the two-week event turned Riyadh into a world stage — and a flashpoint for debate. For Saudis, it marked cultural progress; for critics abroad, a question of free speech and image.

by Dahlia Rahaimy | 7th Oct 2025

Traditional kerosene heritage lamp in Saudi Arabia desert, symbolizing culture and travel.

What Is the Best Time to Visit Saudi Arabia?

Saudi Arabia’s climate can vary more than many first-time visitors expect. From coastal breezes to desert heat, planning your trip around the seasons can make all the difference — especially if your visit includes outdoor sightseeing, cultural events, or long road journeys.

by Dahlia Rahaimy | 1st Oct 2025

Microphone in front of the Saudi Arabia flag symbolising podcasting, expat life in Saudi Arabia, and cultural understanding.

Saudi Life: Unpacked — Expat Voices Beyond the Compound Walls

Expatriates in Saudi Arabia have long lived behind compound walls; Saudi Life: Unpacked offers a rarer glimpse into the everyday rhythms that shape Saudi Arabia.

by Dahlia Rahaimy | 30th Sep 2025

Saudi female scuba diver Bashaer documenting coral reefs underwater in the Red Sea with diving equipment and camera.

Meet Bashaer: A Saudi Pioneer Beneath the Waves

When Saudi women break new ground, the world takes notice—but Bashaer’s story flows deeper than headlines. As a scuba diving instructor and marine conservationist, she is not only exploring the underwater world but also helping to safeguard it, inspiring a new generation of Saudis to view the Red Sea not just as a marvel, but as a shared responsibility.

by Dahlia Rahaimy | 30th Sep 2025

Families on Jeddah Corniche at sunset, reflecting the relaxed atmosphere Saudi Arabia promotes for visitors.

What Makes Saudi Arabia Safe for Tourists?

What makes Saudi Arabia safe for tourists is more than security checks or laws — it is a culture shaped by pilgrimage, hospitality, and a national sense of duty toward guests.

by Dahlia Rahaimy | 10th Sep 2025

Auctioneer standing on a truck selling dates at the Buraydah Date Market in Saudi Arabia, surrounded by traders and buyers during the lively morning auction.

Saudi Arabia Steps into the Auction World

Saudi Arabia’s auctions once meant camels, dates, and cars. With Sotheby’s now in Riyadh, the gavel is falling on paintings and prestige—signaling a cultural shift at home.

by Dahlia Rahaimy | 9th Sep 2025

Abstract compass with handshake, wave, cheek kiss, and nod, symbolizing Saudi social greetings.

How Expats Help Decode Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia’s transformation is not only about reforms and policies; it is also about the small gestures and social puzzles that shape how Saudis and expats understand one another.

by Dahlia Rahaimy | 7th Sep 2025

A diptych showing the evolution of art in Saudi Arabia: on the left, schoolchildren in a black-and-white classroom casually drawing; on the right, a young Saudi woman in a modern gallery observing a suspended dove installation.

When Art Became Serious in Saudi Arabia

What was once dismissed as “fun time” in classrooms has become a cornerstone of Saudi Arabia’s cultural transformation. Today, galleries in Riyadh and Jeddah attract global curators, biennales draw record audiences, and Saudi artists stand on world stages — evidence of how art has shifted from hobby to creative economy.

by Dahlia Rahaimy | 4th Sep 2025

Tourists entering Saudi Arabia at an international airport, illustrating different visa options available for visitors in 2025.

What Are the Visa Options for Tourists Visiting Saudi Arabia?

Saudi Arabia has opened its doors wider than ever to international visitors. With new visa options—from fast-track e-Visas to pilgrimage permits—the Kingdom is making it easier for tourists to explore its heritage, modern cities, and cultural events. Knowing which visa suits your travel purpose is the first step to a seamless journey.

by Dahlia Rahaimy | 3rd Sep 2025

DAHLIA RAHAIMY

The author

My name is Dahlia Rahaimy, and I founded SaudiTimes to shed light on a society often viewed through stereotypes. The platform aims to provide a balanced, well-researched insights into Saudi Arabia, exploring the cultural complexities of a nation in transformation.

Born in Vienna and raised across Germany, Jeddah, and living in Dubai, I bring a lifetime of cross-cultural experiences to my work.

Far from a personal blog, SaudiTimes is rooted in journalistic discipline. It digs into the intrcacis of Saudi society, challenging preconceptions and fostering meaningful dialogue. I aim to offer an authentic glimpse into Saudi society – its foundations, its present realities, and the forces shaping its future.

Beyond my work on SaudiTimes, I am a wife and a proud mother of a daughter and a son.

THE AIM OF SAUDITIMES

My features, analysis, stories, interviews, and pictures of Saudi Arabia and society create an understanding of Saudi Arabia in the Western world.

DISCOVER SAUDI ARABIA

My writings deliver authentic, detailed, and local information to help you understand all aspects of Saudi society.

From Oil Barrels to Data Streams: Saudi Arabia’s Real Transformation

What’s it like working in Saudi Arabia?

Saudi Arabia’s Best Firewall Is Called Fatemah

Riyadh Comedy Festival Draws Global Debate

What Is the Best Time to Visit Saudi Arabia?

Saudi Life: Unpacked — Expat Voices Beyond the Compound Walls

Meet Bashaer: A Saudi Pioneer Beneath the Waves

What Makes Saudi Arabia Safe for Tourists?

Saudi Arabia Steps into the Auction World

How Expats Help Decode Saudi Arabia

When Art Became Serious in Saudi Arabia

What Are the Visa Options for Tourists Visiting Saudi Arabia?

Saudi Arabia

DAHLIA RAHAIMY

The author

THE AIM OF SAUDITIMES

DISCOVER SAUDI ARABIA

DUBAI

JEDDAH

FRANKFURT

From Oil Barrels to Data Streams: Saudi Arabia’s Real Transformation

​​​​​​​What’s it like working in Saudi Arabia?

Saudi Arabia’s Best Firewall Is Called Fatemah

Riyadh Comedy Festival Draws Global Debate

What Is the Best Time to Visit Saudi Arabia?

Saudi Life: Unpacked — Expat Voices Beyond the Compound Walls

Meet Bashaer: A Saudi Pioneer Beneath the Waves

What Makes Saudi Arabia Safe for Tourists?

Saudi Arabia Steps into the Auction World

How Expats Help Decode Saudi Arabia

When Art Became Serious in Saudi Arabia

What Are the Visa Options for Tourists Visiting Saudi Arabia?

Saudi Arabia

DAHLIA RAHAIMY

The author

THE AIM OF SAUDITIMES

DISCOVER SAUDI ARABIA

DUBAI

JEDDAH

FRANKFURT

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What’s it like working in Saudi Arabia?