Earlier this year, the Saudi Arabian government made an official announcement granting citizenship to children of Saudi mothers and foreign fathers, subject to certain criteria. This announcement was published in the official gazette Um Al Qura this Friday.

With the increasing openness of Saudi society and the relaxation of cross-border marriage rules, the number of these children will increase. No doubt, this is a step forward, as stated in the below article.

However, despite changes in citizenship law, changing perception of Saudis towards others, and these children having full rights to healthcare, education, employment, and financial support, they still face some social challenges. Unfortunately, disparities in treatment of different nationalities still exist in Saudi society, which is particularly hurtful to these children who are socially, psychologically, and practically associated with the Saudi community.

This highlights the need for Saudi society to continue working towards creating a more inclusive and respectful environment that values all individuals, regardless of their nationality or background. Special attention must be given to the rights and privileges guaranteed to these children, ensuring their involvement in the society of which they are and will be an effective part.

Article 8 of Saudi Arabia’s citizenship law, in theory, makes it easier for Saudi women married to foreigners to transmit citizenship to their children, but implementation will be key in assessing impact of the measure on broader gender reform efforts. https://agsiw.org/saudi-arabia-amends-its-citizenship-law/