Saudi Times: An Authentic Portrait of Saudi Arabia

A large pile of freshly picked pink Taif roses in front of burlap sacks filled with more roses, set outdoors in soft natural light.

Perfume and Persistence in the City of Roses

While Saudi Arabia charges ahead with bold reforms and towering skylines, a quieter story unfolds each spring in Taif, where millions of Damask roses bloom. For the farmers who rise before dawn to harvest them, these roses are more than flowers—they are a way of life, a source of pride, and now, a fragile tradition facing the growing pressures of climate and change.

by Dahlia Rahaimy | 23rd Apr 2025

Saudi man with ESG sign in Riyadh, symbolizing Saudi Arabia’s ESG adoption.

How ESG Is Shaping Saudi Business and Society

Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles in Saudi Arabia may appear to be an imported framework — another layer of corporate compliance to attract international investors. But behind the acronyms and reporting structures lies something more intimate: a society starting to rewrite its own definition of responsibility, from the boardroom to the grassroots.

by Dahlia Rahaimy | 23rd Apr 2025

A digital illustration showing the contrast between traditional and modern Saudi Arabia, with a desert village and camels on the left and a futuristic city skyline with solar panels on the right, under the title "Vision 2030."

What Is Vision 2030?

You can’t talk about Saudi Arabia today without mentioning Vision 2030. Launched in 2016, this sweeping reform plan aims to diversify the economy, modernize society, and reshape the Kingdom’s global image. But how far has it come—and where is it really going?

by Dahlia Rahaimy | 17th Apr 2025

A Saudi woman in a black abaya drives a car in Riyadh, with the iconic Kingdom Centre Tower visible through the windshield.

Saudi Women Before and After the Reforms: A Life Transformed

Few topics in Saudi Arabia ignite as much conversation as the evolution of women’s roles. Once defined by restrictions on mobility, work, and public life, Saudi women are now at the forefront of the Kingdom’s transformation. From driving their own cars to running their own companies, they are not just participants in change—they are shaping it. This article explores what life looked like before the reforms, how it feels today, and what these changes mean for the future.

by Dahlia Rahaimy | 12th Apr 2025

Saudi Ambassador to Japan Dr. Ghazi bin Zager stands in front of portraits of Saudi leaders and the national flag in Tokyo.

Building a Strategic Partnership: Saudi Arabia’s Ambassador to Japan on the Future of Bilateral Rel

As Saudi Arabia and Japan mark 70 years of diplomatic ties, Ambassador Dr. Ghazi Binzagr outlines a shared future built on innovation, culture, and strategic cooperation beyond oil.

by Dahlia Rahaimy | 8th Apr 2025

Trade is booming and handshakes abound, but EU-GCC relations remain more cordial than concrete—still waiting for people, not just policies, to cross borders.

Bridging the People Gap in EU-GCC Relations

High-level dialogue between the EU and GCC surged in 2024, but behind the headlines lies a familiar problem: too much ceremony, not enough substance. As 2025 begins, only action—on trade, energy, and people—can prevent this relationship from drifting into irrelevance.

by Dahlia Rahaimy | 2nd Apr 2025

Elegant Arabic calligraphy with lantern decorations, celebrating Eid al-Fitr in Saudi Arabia, symbolizing warmth, family, and tradition.

Eid in Saudi Arabia: A Festival of Faith and Family

Eid in Saudi Arabia is more than just a holiday; it’s a vivid celebration of faith and family. As the crescent moon signals the end of Ramadan, streets come alive with festive decorations, families rush to prepare, and the nation unites in prayer and generosity. From communal gatherings to cherished traditions, Eid al-Fitr is a time of renewal, reflection, and joy.

by Dahlia Rahaimy | 27th Mar 2025

Traditional lantern glowing at sunset on a wooden pier, symbolizing peace and reflection during Ramadan.

Ramadan Redefined: Saudi Art Gets a Soulful Twist

Ramadan in Saudi Arabia slows life to a thoughtful pace, blending tradition with calm reflection. Now, a new wave of Saudi artists is capturing this spirit through modern, soulful art—portraying the feelings of peace and renewal that define the holy month.

by Dahlia Rahaimy | 26th Mar 2025

Jubail Industrial City, one of the world's largest industrial hubs, is central to Saudi Arabia’s economic diversification. It hosts major petrochemical and manufacturing facilities, driving non-oil revenue growth.

Industrial Policy: Making It Work for All Saudis

Saudi Arabia’s industrial policy has always aimed high, but success now depends on making it practical and inclusive. As global economic strategies evolve, the challenge is to turn grand visions into community-driven realities.

by Dahlia Rahaimy | 25th Mar 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.

Perfume and Persistence in the City of Roses

How ESG Is Shaping Saudi Business and Society

What Is Vision 2030?

Saudi Women Before and After the Reforms: A Life Transformed

Building a Strategic Partnership: Saudi Arabia’s Ambassador to Japan on the Future of Bilateral Rel

Bridging the People Gap in EU-GCC Relations

Eid in Saudi Arabia: A Festival of Faith and Family

Ramadan Redefined: Saudi Art Gets a Soulful Twist

Industrial Policy: Making It Work for All Saudis

Saudi Arabia

DAHLIA RAHAIMY

The author

THE AIM OF SAUDITIMES

DISCOVER SAUDI ARABIA

DUBAI

JEDDAH

FRANKFURT

Perfume and Persistence in the City of Roses

How ESG Is Shaping Saudi Business and Society

What Is Vision 2030?

Saudi Women Before and After the Reforms: A Life Transformed

Building a Strategic Partnership: Saudi Arabia’s Ambassador to Japan on the Future of Bilateral Rel

Bridging the People Gap in EU-GCC Relations

Eid in Saudi Arabia: A Festival of Faith and Family

Ramadan Redefined: Saudi Art Gets a Soulful Twist

Industrial Policy: Making It Work for All Saudis

Saudi Arabia

DAHLIA RAHAIMY

The author

THE AIM OF SAUDITIMES

DISCOVER SAUDI ARABIA

DUBAI

JEDDAH

FRANKFURT

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