Saudi Times: An Authentic Portrait of Saudi Arabia

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

Gulf man and Japanese woman creating animation together on a tablet, symbolizing cross-cultural creativity.

The Quiet Rise of Animation in the Gulf

Animation in the Gulf is quietly stepping into the spotlight, transforming from a niche pastime into a creative force that reflects local life and connects with global audiences.

by Dahlia Rahaimy | 1st Aug 2025

Sunlit kitchen with fresh vegetables, flowing water, and a desert landscape outside, symbolizing food and water security.

Food and Water in Saudi Arabia: A Household Challenge with National Stakes

Food and water security in Saudi Arabia is often discussed in terms of megaprojects, supply chains, and national strategy. Yet its impact is most tangible at home. In a country where over 80% of food is imported and water depends on energy-intensive desalination, the real shift is happening in kitchens, classrooms, and family budgets. From mindful hospitality to urban hydroponics, Saudi households are quietly shaping the future of sustainability—one small act at a time.

by Dahlia Rahaimy | 31st Jul 2025

Gastronomy and Change: Why Saudi Arabia’s MICHELIN Launch Matters

The arrival of the MICHELIN Guide in Saudi Arabia is more than a culinary milestone. It reflects how food—long tied to tradition—is now at the centre of a wider cultural transformation.

by Dahlia Rahaimy | 29th Jul 2025

A view of Salwa Palace at the At-Turaif UNESCO World Heritage site in Diriyah, Saudi Arabia. The restored mudbrick architecture stands beneath a pale sky, representing the country’s efforts to document and preserve its pre-modern history.

Saudi Arabia’s Buried Past Is No Longer Ignored

In a country often defined by its futuristic ambitions, a quiet but powerful shift is taking place—one that looks backwards. More than 700 archaeological sites have just been added to the national register, expanding a growing movement to preserve and recognize the depth of cultural history. This isn't about new discoveries, but about newfound attention, scale, and purpose.

by Dahlia Rahaimy | 24th Jul 2025

Close-up of ornate Arabic calligraphy and geometric mosaic tilework on stone columns outside a historic building in Marrakech, Morocco.

When Poetry Was Data: The Forgotten Archive of Arabia

In the absence of written records, Arab poetry became a living archive—preserving the region’s economic realities through rhythm, metaphor, and memory.

by Dahlia Rahaimy | 22nd Jul 2025

Forked road with signs reading “Approval” and “Instinct” in a grassy countryside.

Everyone Knows Best Except You

Everyone has something to say — especially when you didn’t ask. From well-meaning strangers to overzealous elders, advice arrives with drama, certainty, and a cultural twist. But what happens when you grow up between two worlds — one that reveres advice and one that questions it?

by Dahlia Rahaimy | 20th Jul 2025

Illustration of a stylized Gulf map with Oman highlighted in red-orange, surrounded by VAT receipts and a large income tax document — symbolizing Oman’s 2028 income tax policy and its ripple effect across the region.

A Gulf First: Oman Embraces Income Tax

For decades, the idea of personal income tax in the Gulf felt distant — a concept reserved for foreign travel or dual citizenship obligations. Now, with Oman set to introduce the region’s first such tax in 2028, the conversation is no longer hypothetical. What seemed taboo is becoming a new regional reality, with broader implications for how Gulf citizens view spending, subsidies, and their role in sustaining national budgets.

by Dahlia Rahaimy | 18th Jul 2025

Two children inside a Saudi baqala (corner shop), one pushing a small shopping cart and the other browsing shelves filled with snacks and groceries.

Baqalas Are fading — And With Them, A Piece of Saudi Neighborhood life

Once a trusted part of daily life, Saudi baqalas are quietly disappearing. Their decline marks not just a retail shift—but the fading of neighborhood familiarity.

by Dahlia Rahaimy | 15th Jul 2025

Shallow turquoise waters and rocky outcrops at Umluj Beach on Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea coast, known for its clear waters and untouched landscapes.

How Saudis Travel Now

There was a time when travelling within Saudi Arabia meant packing like you were heading into the unknown — snacks, patience, and low expectations. Buses were uncomfortable, flights overpriced, and trains nonexistent. Today, that’s changing fast. With new routes, faster connections, and a shift in how Saudis see travel, the once-daunting domestic journey is becoming part of everyday life.

by Dahlia Rahaimy | 8th Jul 2025

Illustration of a Saudi man in traditional dress shrugging with a confused expression, a large question mark beside him, symbolizing ambiguity in Saudi social communication.

The Art of Disappearing: Why 'Yes' Often Means 'Maybe' in Saudi Arabia

In Saudi society, silence can speak louder than words—and sometimes, a “yes” is just a courteous way of saying “not really.” This reflection explores the quiet dance between politeness and avoidance, and why disappearing without a trace might just be a culturally accepted art form.

by Dahlia Rahaimy | 7th Jul 2025

The Museum of Islamic Art in Doha, showcasing Qatar’s use of art in cultural diplomacy.

Influence by Design: Art’s Rising Role in the Gulf

Once seen as the domain of elites, contemporary art is now emerging as a powerful force in the Gulf—engaging the public, shaping minds, and becoming a central part of civic and cultural discourse. In this essay, Dr. Khawla Almarri traces how Qatar is leading this quiet revolution and why it matters for the region.

by Dahlia Rahaimy | 5th Jul 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.

Reframing Saudi Arabia: An Indian Perspective by Shubhda Chaudhary

The Quiet Rise of Animation in the Gulf

Food and Water in Saudi Arabia: A Household Challenge with National Stakes

Gastronomy and Change: Why Saudi Arabia’s MICHELIN Launch Matters

Saudi Arabia’s Buried Past Is No Longer Ignored

When Poetry Was Data: The Forgotten Archive of Arabia

Everyone Knows Best Except You

A Gulf First: Oman Embraces Income Tax

Baqalas Are fading — And With Them, A Piece of Saudi Neighborhood life

How Saudis Travel Now

The Art of Disappearing: Why 'Yes' Often Means 'Maybe' in Saudi Arabia

Influence by Design: Art’s Rising Role in the Gulf

Saudi Arabia

DAHLIA RAHAIMY

The author

THE AIM OF SAUDITIMES

DISCOVER SAUDI ARABIA

DUBAI

JEDDAH

FRANKFURT

Reframing Saudi Arabia: An Indian Perspective by Shubhda Chaudhary

The Quiet Rise of Animation in the Gulf

Food and Water in Saudi Arabia: A Household Challenge with National Stakes

Gastronomy and Change: Why Saudi Arabia’s MICHELIN Launch Matters

Saudi Arabia’s Buried Past Is No Longer Ignored

When Poetry Was Data: The Forgotten Archive of Arabia

Everyone Knows Best Except You

A Gulf First: Oman Embraces Income Tax

Baqalas Are fading — And With Them, A Piece of Saudi Neighborhood life

How Saudis Travel Now

The Art of Disappearing: Why 'Yes' Often Means 'Maybe' in Saudi Arabia

Influence by Design: Art’s Rising Role in the Gulf

Saudi Arabia

DAHLIA RAHAIMY

The author

THE AIM OF SAUDITIMES

DISCOVER SAUDI ARABIA

DUBAI

JEDDAH

FRANKFURT

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