Saudi Times: An Authentic Portrait of Saudi Arabia

A professional Saudi woman in a modern office, symbolizing the rise of women in the Saudi workforce.

Saudi Women at Work: A New Chapter, But Not the Final One

Saudi women’s workforce participation has surged, yet leadership roles remain largely male-dominated. Is this the start of lasting change, or are women simply filling labor gaps?

by Dahlia Rahaimy | 14th Mar 2025

A professional business handshake between a German and a Saudi professional, symbolizing economic collaboration. The German wears a modern business suit, while the Saudi wears a traditional thobe and ghutra. The background is blurred, featuring a blend of

Building Bridges, Striking Deals: Lena Gliem on German Growing Ties with the MENA Region

Germany and the MENA region are forging deeper economic and cultural connections. Lena Gliem, a consultant specializing in cross-border collaborations, shares insights on how businesses can navigate these dynamic markets.

by Dahlia Rahaimy | 11th Mar 2025

A professional film set featuring Saudi men in traditional attire working with a production crew. The setup includes cameras, lighting equipment, and boom microphones, illustrating the growing Saudi film industry.

Training Fuels Saudi Arabia’s Film Industry

Storytelling has always been central to Saudi culture, but now it’s finding a new medium—film. The Red Sea Labs – The Lodge workshops in Jeddah, held in partnership with TorinoFilmLab, are training a new generation of filmmakers, turning instinctive storytelling into cinematic craft.

by Dahlia Rahaimy | 27th Feb 2025

An old Saudi Arabian one-riyal banknote displaying Arabic text, an intricate border, and a detailed architectural illustration of a government building. The banknote includes handwritten serial numbers and official signatures.

From Coins to Clicks: Saudi Arabia’s Payroll Shift

For much of the 20th century, salaries in Saudi Arabia were a tangible affair—literally. Workers at Aramco once received their wages in sacks of silver riyals, a practice now preserved in the Aramco Community Heritage Exhibition. These archival images capture a time when financial transactions were physical, and payroll was a manual process, reflecting the Kingdom’s economic transformation.

by Dahlia Rahaimy | 21st Feb 2025

A woman in a dark hijab, wearing gold and gemstone jewelry, holds a black perfume bottle. The image highlights the intersection of modern luxury and traditional style.

Fashion’s New Front Row: Will the Middle East Take a Seat?

Fashion Trust Arabia is redefining Middle Eastern fashion by championing emerging designers. While talents like Mohammed Ashi gain global attention, breaking into luxury markets remains a challenge. Can Arab couture claim its place on the world stage?

by Dahlia Rahaimy | 18th Feb 2025

A modern, well-lit classroom with a large musical note displayed on a whiteboard. The room is empty, featuring neatly arranged desks and chairs, with walls decorated with posters of musical notes and instruments. A piano and other musical instruments are

Striking the Right Chord: Saudi Arabia’s Cultural Shift Through Music

Once confined to private gatherings, music in Saudi Arabia is now being actively nurtured. With 17,000 kindergarten teachers trained in music education and a growing rap and opera scene, the Kingdom is striking a bold new chord. But can this cultural shift evolve into a lasting creative industry?

by Dahlia Rahaimy | 13th Feb 2025

An abstract illustration showing the shift in mental health awareness in Saudi Arabia, contrasting traditional support through family and faith with modern therapy and digital tools.

Mental Health in Saudi Arabia: Breaking the Tabo

For much of Saudi Arabia’s history, mental health was not an individual matter—it was a family concern, often addressed by elders or religious figures. Therapy, if considered at all, was a last resort, viewed with skepticism. But as the country modernizes, younger Saudis are rewriting the narrative. Social media movements, digital therapy platforms, and evolving government policies are reshaping perceptions, making mental health a topic of open discussion rather than quiet struggle.

by Dahlia Rahaimy | 10th Feb 2025

A music studio with an oud, qanun, electric guitar, and keyboard, symbolizing cultural fusion.

Alya Fetyani: Building Bridges in Saudi Arabia’s Soundscape

Alya Fityani once worked at Spotify—a “music place,” as her mother called it. Now, as a Label Services Project Manager at Vydia, she stands at the heart of Saudi Arabia’s evolving music scene, bridging tradition and innovation.

by Dahlia Rahaimy | 7th Feb 2025

An artistic tree with branches symbolizing tradition, modernity, community, and individuality, rooted in desert sand and reaching toward a futuristic skyline.

A Saudi Paradox: The Struggle to Belong at Home

Saudi Arabia’s sweeping reforms have reshaped its economy and infrastructure, but societal attitudes remain a battleground between tradition and modernity. For those who have long hoped for greater openness, the reality is more complex. While change is evident, deeply ingrained norms continue to define who truly 'belongs.' Having returned from Germany as a child, I learned firsthand how cultural expectations shape identity—and how difference is often tolerated rather than embraced.

by Dahlia Rahaimy | 4th Feb 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.

Saudi Women at Work: A New Chapter, But Not the Final One

Building Bridges, Striking Deals: Lena Gliem on German Growing Ties with the MENA Region

Training Fuels Saudi Arabia’s Film Industry

From Coins to Clicks: Saudi Arabia’s Payroll Shift

Fashion’s New Front Row: Will the Middle East Take a Seat?

Striking the Right Chord: Saudi Arabia’s Cultural Shift Through Music

Mental Health in Saudi Arabia: Breaking the Tabo

Alya Fetyani: Building Bridges in Saudi Arabia’s Soundscape

A Saudi Paradox: The Struggle to Belong at Home

Saudi Arabia

DAHLIA RAHAIMY

The author

THE AIM OF SAUDITIMES

DISCOVER SAUDI ARABIA

DUBAI

JEDDAH

FRANKFURT

Saudi Women at Work: A New Chapter, But Not the Final One

Building Bridges, Striking Deals: Lena Gliem on German Growing Ties with the MENA Region

Training Fuels Saudi Arabia’s Film Industry

From Coins to Clicks: Saudi Arabia’s Payroll Shift

Fashion’s New Front Row: Will the Middle East Take a Seat?

Striking the Right Chord: Saudi Arabia’s Cultural Shift Through Music

Mental Health in Saudi Arabia: Breaking the Tabo

Alya Fetyani: Building Bridges in Saudi Arabia’s Soundscape

A Saudi Paradox: The Struggle to Belong at Home

Saudi Arabia

DAHLIA RAHAIMY

The author

THE AIM OF SAUDITIMES

DISCOVER SAUDI ARABIA

DUBAI

JEDDAH

FRANKFURT

SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER