Saudi Times: An Authentic Portrait of Saudi Arabia

Japanese language books and a tourist guide manual on a desk, representing Noura Alharbi’s self-taught journey toward language certification and a guide license.

Crossing Scripts: A Saudi Woman’s Study of Japan

While most language learners opt for French or Spanish, Noura Alharbi took a different route. From a quiet town in Qassim, she taught herself Japanese, earned a tourism license, and now dreams of bridging cultures between Saudi Arabia and Japan. Her journey reflects a growing spirit among young Saudis: a willingness to follow passion over convention—and to prepare even when opportunities are not yet guaranteed.

by Dahlia Rahaimy | 3rd Feb 2026

Goitered gazelle standing in the desert of central Saudi Arabia, a native species adapted to arid environments and part of Saudi Arabia’s desert wildlife.

What Animals Are Native to Saudi Arabia’s Desert?

Saudi Arabia’s deserts are often reduced to heat and emptiness. In reality, they are home to a resilient ecosystem of animals uniquely adapted to life in extreme conditions. From the Arabian oryx to falcons and camels, the country’s desert wildlife offers a quiet insight into both its natural history and cultural identity.

by Dahlia Rahaimy | 28th Jan 2026

A modern high-rise building in Jeddah, reflecting how rising housing costs are reshaping daily urban life in Saudi Arabia.

Riyadh and Jeddah Are Living Different Housing Realities

Rising housing costs have become one of the most visible ways Saudi Arabia’s economic transformation is felt at home. In Riyadh and Jeddah, the country’s two largest cities, the question is no longer simply where opportunities are growing, but where daily life still makes sense. As rents rise and housing policies evolve, the gap between the two cities is becoming less abstract—and more personal.

by Dahlia Rahaimy | 27th Jan 2026

Public entertainment district at Boulevard World in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, with visitors walking through an open urban space.

What Are Saudi Arabia’s Public Decency Laws for Tourists and Visitors?

Saudi Arabia welcomes millions of visitors each year, but public life operates within clearly defined boundaries. For tourists, understanding the country’s public decency rules is less about fear of penalties and more about navigating shared spaces with awareness, discretion, and respect for local norms.

by Dahlia Rahaimy | 22nd Jan 2026

Bike-sharing docks near Al-Masjid An-Nabawi in Madinah.

Saudi Arabia Goes Online—And Gets On With It

Saudi Arabia’s digital economy recently reached 16% of GDP, a figure precise enough to sound abstract. Yet its real significance lies elsewhere. This share reflects not a dramatic technological leap, but a series of small, ordinary changes that have gradually reshaped how people work, pay, travel, and organise daily life — often without noticing when the shift occurred.

by Dahlia Rahaimy | 22nd Jan 2026

Rijal Almaa UNESCO World Heritage site in the Asir region of southern Saudi Arabia, featuring traditional multi-storey stone architecture in a mountain village.

When Abha Becomes a Destination

Abha is emerging as one of Saudi Arabia’s fastest-growing tourism destinations, drawing visitors to the Asir region in record numbers. The shift is welcome, but it is reshaping local life in ways residents are still trying to understand.

by Dahlia Rahaimy | 20th Jan 2026

View of Medina in Saudi Arabia, Illustrating how cities developed along livable corridors shaped by geography, water access, and climate.

Where Saudis Really Live

Saudi Arabia may stretch across a continent’s worth of sand, but its people do not. Most Saudis live along a handful of narrow corridors where geography, history, and habitability converge. Understanding these lines is the quickest route to understanding how the country actually works.

by Dahlia Rahaimy | 14th Jan 2026

People walking calmly along a public street in Riyadh, reflecting everyday social etiquette and modest public behavior in Saudi Arabia.

What Is Considered Rude in Saudi Culture?

Respect and restraint are key pillars of Saudi social life. What may seem normal elsewhere — loud conversation, direct opinions, or casual affection — might be interpreted differently here.

by Dahlia Rahaimy | 7th Jan 2026

Portrait of Lily Moffatt, Australian journalist and co-host of the Saudi Life: Unpacked podcast, photographed against a light background.

Inside Saudi Arabia Through a Podcast Lens

In Saudi Life: Unpacked, journalist Lily Moffatt explores Saudi Arabia as it is lived — through daily routines, small encounters, and conversations that rarely make headlines.

by Dahlia Rahaimy | 16th Dec 2025

Nighttime festival in Saudi Arabia with fireworks and a sculptural display, where people gather in public space, reflecting the shift toward visible, community-based evening culture.

What Should Visitors Know About Nightlife and Beverage Rules in Saudi Arabia?

Saudi Arabia prohibits alcohol for all residents and visitors, yet a new kind of nightlife is emerging. In Riyadh and Jeddah, the after-dark scene is shifting toward cafés, live music, cultural festivals, and crowded public spaces that stay open late. It is a social opening without a legal one—an evolving model built on atmosphere rather than alcohol.

by Dahlia Rahaimy | 1st Jan 2026

Heritage and modernity share the same table — the daily negotiations explored in “Saudi Arabia – Culture Smart!."

A Handbook for Outsiders, and a Mirror for Saudis

Explaining Saudi culture has become essential for travelers and new expatriates searching for reliable guidance. Culture Smart Saudi Arabia positions itself as a practical introduction to social norms, daily behaviour, and etiquette in the Kingdom. This review looks at how accurate the guide is—and what readers should still keep in mind when trying to understand Saudi society.

by Dahlia Rahaimy | 30th Dec 2025

Jean-Philippe Linteau, Canada’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, during an interview in Riyadh on diplomacy, education, and sustainability.

A Diplomat of Quiet Reach: Canada’s Jean-Philippe Linteau in Saudi Arabia

Canada’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Jean-Philippe Linteau, speaks to Saudi Times about diplomacy built not on spectacle but on trust, education, and steady engagement. From his first encounter with the Saudi Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai to his work in Riyadh since 2023, he offers a grounded view of a country in motion—and of the subtle bridges that form when communication becomes a shared priority.

by Dahlia Rahaimy | 12th Dec 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.

Crossing Scripts: A Saudi Woman’s Study of Japan

What Animals Are Native to Saudi Arabia’s Desert?

Riyadh and Jeddah Are Living Different Housing Realities

What Are Saudi Arabia’s Public Decency Laws for Tourists and Visitors?

Saudi Arabia Goes Online—And Gets On With It

When Abha Becomes a Destination

Where Saudis Really Live

What Is Considered Rude in Saudi Culture?

Inside Saudi Arabia Through a Podcast Lens

What Should Visitors Know About Nightlife and Beverage Rules in Saudi Arabia?

A Handbook for Outsiders, and a Mirror for Saudis

A Diplomat of Quiet Reach: Canada’s Jean-Philippe Linteau in Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia

DAHLIA RAHAIMY

The author

THE AIM OF SAUDITIMES

DISCOVER SAUDI ARABIA

DUBAI

JEDDAH

FRANKFURT

Crossing Scripts: A Saudi Woman’s Study of Japan

What Animals Are Native to Saudi Arabia’s Desert?

Riyadh and Jeddah Are Living Different Housing Realities

What Are Saudi Arabia’s Public Decency Laws for Tourists and Visitors?

Saudi Arabia Goes Online—And Gets On With It

When Abha Becomes a Destination

Where Saudis Really Live

What Is Considered Rude in Saudi Culture?

Inside Saudi Arabia Through a Podcast Lens

What Should Visitors Know About Nightlife and Beverage Rules in Saudi Arabia?

A Handbook for Outsiders, and a Mirror for Saudis

A Diplomat of Quiet Reach: Canada’s Jean-Philippe Linteau in Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia

DAHLIA RAHAIMY

The author

THE AIM OF SAUDITIMES

DISCOVER SAUDI ARABIA

DUBAI

JEDDAH

FRANKFURT

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