Saudi Times: An Authentic Portrait of Saudi Arabia

Printed business charts on a reflective office table with three Saudi men in traditional attire having a discussion in the background, symbolizing modern work culture in Saudi Arabia.

Why Saudis Are Redefining Ambition

The stereotype that Saudis are not eager to work lingers in some circles. But in today’s Saudi Arabia, that view is increasingly out of date. Across the Kingdom, a new generation is stepping up—not just to take jobs, but to reshape what work means. Ambition is no longer just about climbing a ladder; it's about building one.

by Dahlia Rahaimy | 26th Jun 2025

Crowd of pilgrims surrounding the Kaaba in Makkah, touching its golden door, during Hajj or Umrah season.

How Rules Are Easing the Pressure on Makkah

In Saudi Arabia, the pilgrimage to Makkah has long been a journey of devotion—and for those nearby, a rhythm of daily life. But today, even for Jeddah’s residents, that rhythm is changing. What was once spontaneous is now scheduled, managed through apps and permits. This shift isn’t just about crowd control; it’s a window into how Saudi Arabia is redefining access, identity, and the very structure of public life.

by Dahlia Rahaimy | 17th Jun 2025

A minimalist doorway opens onto a vast desert under soft golden light, symbolizing the psychological weight of social expectations in Saudi Arabia and the quiet hope of change.

Error Is a Luxury Few Saudis Can Afford

Mistakes are inevitable — but in Saudi society, they are rarely treated that way. Instead of offering space for growth, they often signal shame, not just for the individual but for families, communities, and entire identities. This article explores the emotional cost of error in the Kingdom, and why a quiet shift in how Saudis relate to pain may mark the beginning of a cultural reset.

by Dahlia Rahaimy | 16th Jun 2025

A Saudi family of three generations gathers in a living room decorated with balloons and gifts. Men, women, and children dressed in traditional attire share food, tea, and presents, reflecting both festive warmth and the generational bonds that shape Saud

Generation X in Saudi Arabia: The Silent Adapters

They are neither nostalgic boomers nor digitally fluent Gen Z. In Saudi Arabia’s generational saga, Generation X often fades into the background—overlooked, overburdened, and under-celebrated. Yet this middle cohort holds a mirror to the nation’s transformation, bridging the values of yesterday with the demands of today.

by Dahlia Rahaimy | 10th Jun 2025

DJ performing under colorful laser lights in front of a cheering crowd, representing the growing legitimacy of creative careers once considered unconventional.

When the DJ Has a PhD

A former university lecturer trading academia for the DJ booth might have once drawn disapproval in Saudi Arabia. Today, it draws curiosity—and quiet respect. As creative and athletic careers gain visibility, the Kingdom is reassessing what counts as meaningful work.

by Dahlia Rahaimy | 7th Jun 2025

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

Close-up of a studio microphone symbolizing a BBC Radio interview on President Trump’s visit to Saudi Arabia.

BBC Radio Interview on Trump Visit

As President Trump arrived in Riyadh for his second official visit, I joined BBC Radio 5 Live’s Gulfcast with Matt Chorley. Our conversation focused on the political aims of the five-day Gulf tour—and, more importantly, on how Saudi society, particularly its youth, perceived the event. For many, the spectacle was less about diplomacy and more about concrete hopes: international exposure, economic opportunity, and future mobility.

by Dahlia Rahaimy | 18th 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

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.

Why Saudis Are Redefining Ambition

How Rules Are Easing the Pressure on Makkah

Error Is a Luxury Few Saudis Can Afford

Generation X in Saudi Arabia: The Silent Adapters

When the DJ Has a PhD

The Scholar Reviving Saudi Arabia’s Musical Tradition

The Gulf Runs Fast but Needs Deep Roots

Saudi Women Have Moved On. Has the World?

BBC Radio Interview on Trump Visit

Many Faces, One Kingdom

Saudi Arabia’s Film Ambitions: From Shorts to Strategy

Saudi Arabia

DAHLIA RAHAIMY

The author

THE AIM OF SAUDITIMES

DISCOVER SAUDI ARABIA

DUBAI

JEDDAH

FRANKFURT

Why Saudis Are Redefining Ambition

How Rules Are Easing the Pressure on Makkah

Error Is a Luxury Few Saudis Can Afford

Generation X in Saudi Arabia: The Silent Adapters

When the DJ Has a PhD

The Scholar Reviving Saudi Arabia’s Musical Tradition

The Gulf Runs Fast but Needs Deep Roots

Saudi Women Have Moved On. Has the World?

BBC Radio Interview on Trump Visit

Many Faces, One Kingdom

Saudi Arabia’s Film Ambitions: From Shorts to Strategy

Saudi Arabia

DAHLIA RAHAIMY

The author

THE AIM OF SAUDITIMES

DISCOVER SAUDI ARABIA

DUBAI

JEDDAH

FRANKFURT

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