Saudi Times: An Authentic Portrait of Saudi Arabia

Saudi women take a selfie by the fire, reflecting how digital life reshapes reputation and identity.

Digital Mirrors: Saudi Youth and the Politics of Expression

In Saudi Arabia, a selfie is never just a selfie. Behind every post lies a careful negotiation between family expectations, social reputation, Arabizi and individuality—making social media both a stage for expression and a mirror of anxiety.

by Dahlia Rahaimy | 26th Aug 2025

A winding mountain road in the Hijaz mountains, near the Al Bahah region of Saudi Arabia. "Mountain road in the Hijaz mountains near Al Bahah, Saudi Arabia."

Al Baha Tourism: An Almond Orchard and the Saudi Way of Change

Al Baha may be known for its cool air and terraced peaks, but its real story lies in orchards and traditions quietly shaping Saudi tourism. Here, progress is measured not only in mega-projects, but in how locals turn heritage into experiences that endure.

by Dahlia Rahaimy | 24th Aug 2025

Two Saudi schoolgirls with backpacks walk down a street in the historic Al-Balad district of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Schools in the 1970s: Chalk, Crowds and Change

This takes me back to my school days in Jeddah, when classrooms were modest but filled with curiosity, and education in Saudi Arabia was just beginning to take shape.

by Dahlia Rahaimy | 19th Aug 2025

Two Saudi teenage students, one in traditional attire and one in a blue shirt, work together on a small wheeled robot in a bright classroom equipped with a 3D printer and digital learning tools.

Saudi Arabia Bets on Technical Talent Early

Saudi Arabia is opening specialised technology high schools to train teenagers in coding, robotics, and AI—shifting education from rote learning to innovation and preparing students early for the future of work.

by Dahlia Rahaimy | 19th Aug 2025

Ferrari Formula One pit crew in red uniforms working on a race car at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit during the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, surrounded by photographers and bright night lights.

Saudi Arabia’s Cultural Shift: Beyond Soft Power and Star Power

Saudi Arabia’s global rebrand is making headlines, but the real story lies at home. As sports stars, influencers, and cultural icons take the stage, a quieter transformation is reshaping how Saudis see themselves—blending global exposure with local identity to create a more confident, outward-looking society.

by Dahlia Rahaimy | 14th Aug 2025

Saudi man in traditional white thobe and red-checkered headscarf places a hand on the shoulder of an African migrant, with a woman in a black hijab watching in the background.

Saudi Arabia Tightens the Rules on Who Gets to Stay

In Saudi Arabia’s western cities, undocumented workers were once neighbors, household helpers, and part of the social fabric. Now, a sweeping deportation campaign is replacing quiet acceptance with legal precision—signaling not just a change in policy, but in the country’s understanding of who belongs.

by Dahlia Rahaimy | 12th Aug 2025

Visitors in Riyadh’s historic Justice Palace district wearing modest clothing while receiving traditional Saudi coffee, illustrating the balance between changing dress norms and enduring customs.

What Do Women Have to Wear in Saudi Arabia?

Saudi Arabia’s laws on women’s dress have relaxed, but cultural expectations still shape what feels appropriate. For visitors, understanding these unwritten rules — from when an abaya is optional to how modesty is interpreted in cities versus rural areas — can make the difference between standing out and fitting in.

by Dahlia Rahaimy | 13th Aug 2025

A Saudi musician in a traditional white thobe and red-checkered keffiyeh plays the oud alongside an African American jazz musician in a dark suit playing the saxophone, blending Middle Eastern and jazz traditions on stage.

Loulwa Al-Sharif Brings Jazz to Saudi Arabia’s Stage

From jazz to opera, Saudi women are stepping beyond weddings and family events, creating music that blends heritage with global styles—and reshaping the country’s cultural soundscape.

by Dahlia Rahaimy | 8th Aug 2025

Four Saudi women in black abayas and hijabs sit together indoors, smiling and laughing while holding small cups of Arabic coffee, with a phone placed on the table in front of them.

On the Saudi Sense of Humour, and Why My Phone Is Full of It

Saudi humour doesn’t shout—it smirks, shrugs, and slips by in casual remarks and text messages never meant for the spotlight. It’s dry, observational, and deeply tied to place, dialect, and memory. For anyone trying to understand Saudi society, you’ll find more truth in a joke than in a textbook—and if you’re lucky, in your own phone.

by Dahlia Rahaimy | 8th Aug 2025

Juddmonte’s Sun Maiden, daughter of Frankel, claims victory in the 2019 Nottinghamshire Oaks under jockey Jim Crowley in Prince Khalid bin Abdullah’s racing silks.

Saudi Arabia’s Other Sporting Dynasty

While headlines focus on Saudi Arabia’s flashy investments in football and Formula 1, Saudi Arabia has long been shaping another sport from the shadows. Juddmonte, the horse breeding empire founded by Prince Khalid bin Abdullah, has quietly dominated the racing world—proving that long-term vision can outperform short-term spectacle.

by Dahlia Rahaimy | 7th Aug 2025

Golden dallah pouring Arabic coffee into a decorated finjan cup, with another cup beside it on a wooden table against a warm-toned traditional backdrop

What Makes Saudi Coffee So Culturally Significant?

In Saudi Arabia, coffee is more than a drink — it’s a structured social practice. Whether served at home, in an office, or at a formal gathering, qahwa comes with its own unspoken etiquette. Understanding how it works offers insight into Saudi norms around respect, hospitality, and tradition.

by Dahlia Rahaimy | 6th Aug 2025

Shubhda Chaudhary seated at Suwaidi Park during Riyadh Season, wearing a mustard yellow blouse and olive green pants, smiling at the camera in front of a branded backdrop featuring the park and event logos.

Reframing Saudi Arabia: An Indian Perspective by Shubhda Chaudhary

Indian scholar Shubhda Chaudhary arrived in Riyadh expecting complexity — and found far more. Her journey revealed a vibrant, welcoming Saudi society that defies outside narratives.

by Dahlia Rahaimy | 5th Aug 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.

Digital Mirrors: Saudi Youth and the Politics of Expression

Al Baha Tourism: An Almond Orchard and the Saudi Way of Change

Saudi Schools in the 1970s: Chalk, Crowds and Change

Saudi Arabia Bets on Technical Talent Early

Saudi Arabia’s Cultural Shift: Beyond Soft Power and Star Power

Saudi Arabia Tightens the Rules on Who Gets to Stay

What Do Women Have to Wear in Saudi Arabia?

Loulwa Al-Sharif Brings Jazz to Saudi Arabia’s Stage

On the Saudi Sense of Humour, and Why My Phone Is Full of It

Saudi Arabia’s Other Sporting Dynasty

What Makes Saudi Coffee So Culturally Significant?

Reframing Saudi Arabia: An Indian Perspective by Shubhda Chaudhary

Saudi Arabia

DAHLIA RAHAIMY

The author

THE AIM OF SAUDITIMES

DISCOVER SAUDI ARABIA

DUBAI

JEDDAH

FRANKFURT

Digital Mirrors: Saudi Youth and the Politics of Expression

Al Baha Tourism: An Almond Orchard and the Saudi Way of Change

Saudi Schools in the 1970s: Chalk, Crowds and Change

Saudi Arabia Bets on Technical Talent Early

Saudi Arabia’s Cultural Shift: Beyond Soft Power and Star Power

Saudi Arabia Tightens the Rules on Who Gets to Stay

What Do Women Have to Wear in Saudi Arabia?

Loulwa Al-Sharif Brings Jazz to Saudi Arabia’s Stage

On the Saudi Sense of Humour, and Why My Phone Is Full of It

Saudi Arabia’s Other Sporting Dynasty

What Makes Saudi Coffee So Culturally Significant?

Reframing Saudi Arabia: An Indian Perspective by Shubhda Chaudhary

Saudi Arabia

DAHLIA RAHAIMY

The author

THE AIM OF SAUDITIMES

DISCOVER SAUDI ARABIA

DUBAI

JEDDAH

FRANKFURT

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