Saudi Times: An Authentic Portrait of Saudi Arabia

In Saudi Arabia, going to the cinema has become as much about sharing an experience as watching a film.

When an Ancient Greek Epic Found an Audience in Saudi Arabia

A Greek epic written nearly 3,000 years ago has captured the attention of Saudi audiences. Its success reveals more than a growing interest in international cinema: it offers a glimpse of a society increasingly curious about the world and beginning to rediscover its own cultural heritage.

by Dahlia Rahaimy | 28th Oct 2026

Saudi Arabia’s Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority (ZATCA) administers VAT, currently set at 15% for most taxable goods and services.

What Is the Tax Reality in Saudi Arabia?

Is Saudi Arabia tax-free? Salaries are generally not subject to personal income tax, but residents and visitors pay VAT on most taxable goods and services. Here’s what to know.

by Dahlia Rahaimy | 28th Oct 2026

A high-altitude mountain landscape in Al Soudah, Abha, featuring lush green hills covered in rolling fog.

What Makes a Park Part of Everyday Life in Saudi Arabia?

When a family chooses a home partly for the park nearby, public green space has become more than a place for children to play. Abha’s renovated Al-Andalus Park offers a glimpse of how parks are fitting into everyday life in Saudi Arabia—and why their upkeep matters.

by Dahlia Rahaimy | 26th Oct 2026

Dana Halwani, admitted to both the Saudi and New York bars, has witnessed Saudi Arabia’s legal transformation from inside the courtroom.

Dana Halwani Has Seen Saudi Justice Change from the inside

Saudi lawyer Dana Halwani has witnessed nearly 15 years of change in the Kingdom’s legal profession. In this interview, she discusses women’s growing presence in law, the reforms transforming her work and common misconceptions among foreign investors.

by Dahlia Rahaimy | 21st Oct 2026

In Saudi Arabia, a small cup of coffee carries considerable social weight. The ritual of serving it remains central to Saudi hospitality.

How to Understand Everyday Saudi Customs?

How is Saudi coffee served, and what does going to “al barr” mean? This FAQ explains everyday Saudi customs, hospitality and how weekend habits differ between Riyadh and Jeddah.

by Dahlia Rahaimy | 21st Oct 2026

Life goes on in Riyadh, reflecting the adaptability of Saudi society and the importance of continuity in everyday life.

The Cost of Carrying On: Saudi Society Under Attack

For families in Saudi Arabia, disrupted flights mean missed visits, longer journeys home and uncertainty about seeing loved ones. Drawing on personal experience and memories of earlier crises, Dahlia Rahaimy considers the cost of carrying on.

by Dahlia Rahaimy | 18th Oct 2026

Culinary ambition starts long before the awards.

Saudi Arabia’s Michelin Ambitions: Who Is the Table Set For?

Saudi Arabia is spending big on culinary prestige. The greater test is whether that ambition translates into thriving local restaurants, stronger hospitality careers and food worth returning for.

by Dahlia Rahaimy | 24th Sep 2026

A shared language, a variety of voices: Saudi Arabia’s regional identities find expression in everyday speech

Which Arabic Do Saudis Speak?

Arabic unites Saudi Arabia, but its dialects reveal the country’s regional variety. From everyday conversation to official communication, language offers a window into how Saudis express identity and belonging.

by Dahlia Rahaimy | 23rd Sep 2026

Biotechnology’s ambitions meet the people they are meant to serve.

Saudi Arabia’s Biotechnology Future Begins at Home

Saudi Arabia’s biotechnology ambitions promise billions in economic growth. Their value will also be measured closer to home: in marriage decisions, access to cancer treatment and the futures families can imagine.

by Dahlia Rahaimy | 21st Sep 2026

Al-Amiriah School, Hofuf, Saudi Arabia: A bilingual road sign points to one of Saudi Arabia’s oldest public schools, a landmark in the kingdom’s early development of formal education.

Saudi Women Were Never Starting from Zero

Saudi women’s opportunities make headlines; the schools that prepared them rarely do. Princess Lulwah’s recent interview is a reminder that today’s progress has deep educational roots—a history I share as a Dar Al-Hanan alumna.

by Dahlia Rahaimy | 9th Sep 2026

A new reality: Visitors explore virtual-reality attractions at a gaming centre in Saudi Arabia.

What Role Do Gaming and Apps Play in Young Saudis’ Lives?

From gaming and delivery apps to new career opportunities, discover how technology and social change are shaping everyday life and the ambitions of young Saudis.

by Dahlia Rahaimy | 9th Sep 2026

Saudi Arabia’s defence drive will be judged not by the targets it meets, but by the skills, careers and industries it leaves behind.

How Regional War Could Reshape Saudi Skills and Careers

War has imposed a heavy human and economic cost on Gulf societies. Yet Saudi Arabia’s response could leave a lasting domestic legacy by expanding technical knowledge, creating meaningful careers and building the national capabilities needed for an uncertain future.

by Dahlia Rahaimy | 8th Sep 2026

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.

When an Ancient Greek Epic Found an Audience in Saudi Arabia

What Is the Tax Reality in Saudi Arabia?

What Makes a Park Part of Everyday Life in Saudi Arabia?

Dana Halwani Has Seen Saudi Justice Change from the inside

How to Understand Everyday Saudi Customs?

The Cost of Carrying On: Saudi Society Under Attack

Saudi Arabia’s Michelin Ambitions: Who Is the Table Set For?

Which Arabic Do Saudis Speak?

Saudi Arabia’s Biotechnology Future Begins at Home

Saudi Women Were Never Starting from Zero

What Role Do Gaming and Apps Play in Young Saudis’ Lives?

How Regional War Could Reshape Saudi Skills and Careers

Saudi Arabia

DAHLIA RAHAIMY

The author

THE AIM OF SAUDITIMES

DISCOVER SAUDI ARABIA

ATHENS

JEDDAH

FRANKFURT

When an Ancient Greek Epic Found an Audience in Saudi Arabia

What Is the Tax Reality in Saudi Arabia?

What Makes a Park Part of Everyday Life in Saudi Arabia?

Dana Halwani Has Seen Saudi Justice Change from the inside

How to Understand Everyday Saudi Customs?

The Cost of Carrying On: Saudi Society Under Attack

Saudi Arabia’s Michelin Ambitions: Who Is the Table Set For?

Which Arabic Do Saudis Speak?

Saudi Arabia’s Biotechnology Future Begins at Home

Saudi Women Were Never Starting from Zero

What Role Do Gaming and Apps Play in Young Saudis’ Lives?

How Regional War Could Reshape Saudi Skills and Careers

Saudi Arabia

DAHLIA RAHAIMY

The author

THE AIM OF SAUDITIMES

DISCOVER SAUDI ARABIA

ATHENS

JEDDAH

FRANKFURT

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