Saudi Times: An Authentic Portrait of Saudi Arabia

Dr. Lisa Urkevich speaking at a podium with a microphone, facing a large audience of Saudi men and women in traditional dress at an evening cultural gathering in 2024.

The Scholar Reviving Saudi Arabia’s Musical Tradition

In the early 1990s, before heritage preservation was on the national agenda, Dr. Lisa Urkevich arrived in Khamis Mushait with a scholar’s eye and a musician’s ear. Far from seeing a closed society, she discovered a living archive of sounds and traditions. Her decades-long journey would make her the foremost authority on Saudi music, capturing a cultural legacy once hidden from view.

by Dahlia Rahaimy | 3rd Jun 2025

Illustration of six cartoon boys wearing traditional Gulf Arab attire, representing the countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). They stand holding hands beneath a large blank sign outdoors on green grass with a blue sky background.

The Gulf Runs Fast but Needs Deep Roots

The Gulf’s young generation is racing into the future — learning new languages, mastering AI, and chasing global ambitions. But amid the excitement, one question lingers: can a society move forward without losing sight of who it is? Bahraini scholar Omar Al-Ubaydli argues that the region’s real strength lies not just in what it builds but in what it remembers.

by Dahlia Rahaimy | 1st Jun 2025

Saudi men and women working together in a modern office setting, wearing headsets and engaging at computer desks, symbolizing the changing dynamics of Saudi Arabia’s labor force.

Saudi Women Have Moved On. Has the World?

Saudi women no longer fit the old narratives. As social and economic change reshapes daily life, the world is slow to catch up.

by Dahlia Rahaimy | 1st Jun 2025

A high-resolution aerial view showing Saudi Arabia’s diverse regions: green terraced hills, rugged mountains, sweeping desert dunes, and a coastal city along the shoreline, all captured under soft golden light.

Many Faces, One Kingdom

Often seen as a uniform nation, Saudi Arabia is in fact a vibrant mosaic of regions, dialects, and traditions — a diversity that’s now being proudly celebrated across the country.

by Dahlia Rahaimy | 30th May 2025

Saudi Arabia’s Film Ambitions: From Shorts to Strategy

Saudi Arabia’s Cannes moment isn’t just about flashing lights—it’s a statement of intent. With its first official entry, Norah, on the international stage and a robust network of funding, studios, and infrastructure taking shape behind the scenes, Saudi Arabia's five-year-old film industry is no longer playing catch-up; it’s setting its own pace.

by Dahlia Rahaimy | 27th May 2025

Modern science buildings at the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) campus, showcasing advanced architecture and research-focused infrastructure in Saudi Arabia.

Educating a Nation: How Saudi Arabia Is Rethinking the Classroom

In the heart of the Arabian Peninsula, a quiet transformation is taking place—not in skyscrapers or stadiums, but in classrooms. Saudi Arabia is reimagining how it educates its youth, blending cultural values with global ambition. From kindergarten to university, the shift is reshaping minds, futures, and the country itself.

by Dahlia Rahaimy | 13th May 2025

From Dunes to Rivers — and Back Again?

A wide view of Al-Asfar Lake (Yellow Lake) near Al-Ahsa in eastern Saudi Arabia, surrounded by desert terrain and sparse vegetation, showing the contrast between water and arid land.

by Dahlia Rahaimy | 8th May 2025

Byron Cooke, host of MBC Loud, in a white shirt and jeans, standing in studio—embodying the international energy of contemporary Saudi broadcasting.

Broadcasting Change: An Australian Voice in Riyadh’s New Soundscape

Saudi radio is getting a fresh voice—and it speaks with an Australian accent. Byron Cooke, now hosting MBC LOUD FM’s flagship show, shares how Riyadh became his new home and why English-language radio matters in today’s Saudi Arabia.

by Dahlia Rahaimy | 6th May 2025

Jeddah skyline with modern skyscrapers and Red Sea coastline, representing Saudi Arabia’s economic growth and the importance of cultural insight for startups entering the market.

Beyond the License: What It Really Takes to Succeed in Saudi Arabia

Startups eyeing Saudi Arabia must understand: success here begins where standard playbooks end.

by Dahlia Rahaimy | 3rd May 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.

The Scholar Reviving Saudi Arabia’s Musical Tradition

The Gulf Runs Fast but Needs Deep Roots

Saudi Women Have Moved On. Has the World?

Many Faces, One Kingdom

Saudi Arabia’s Film Ambitions: From Shorts to Strategy

Educating a Nation: How Saudi Arabia Is Rethinking the Classroom

From Dunes to Rivers — and Back Again?

Broadcasting Change: An Australian Voice in Riyadh’s New Soundscape

Beyond the License: What It Really Takes to Succeed in Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia

DAHLIA RAHAIMY

The author

THE AIM OF SAUDITIMES

DISCOVER SAUDI ARABIA

DUBAI

JEDDAH

FRANKFURT

The Scholar Reviving Saudi Arabia’s Musical Tradition

The Gulf Runs Fast but Needs Deep Roots

Saudi Women Have Moved On. Has the World?

Many Faces, One Kingdom

Saudi Arabia’s Film Ambitions: From Shorts to Strategy

Educating a Nation: How Saudi Arabia Is Rethinking the Classroom

From Dunes to Rivers — and Back Again?

Broadcasting Change: An Australian Voice in Riyadh’s New Soundscape

Beyond the License: What It Really Takes to Succeed in Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia

DAHLIA RAHAIMY

The author

THE AIM OF SAUDITIMES

DISCOVER SAUDI ARABIA

DUBAI

JEDDAH

FRANKFURT

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