Saudi Times: An Authentic Portrait of Saudi Arabia

From Dunes to Rivers — and Back Again?

A wide view of Al-Asfar Lake (Yellow Lake) near Al-Ahsa in eastern Saudi Arabia, surrounded by desert terrain and sparse vegetation, showing the contrast between water and arid land.

by Dahlia Rahaimy | 8th May 2025

Byron Cooke, host of MBC Loud, in a white shirt and jeans, standing in studio—embodying the international energy of contemporary Saudi broadcasting.

Broadcasting Change: An Australian Voice in Riyadh’s New Soundscape

Saudi radio is getting a fresh voice—and it speaks with an Australian accent. Byron Cooke, now hosting MBC LOUD FM’s flagship show, shares how Riyadh became his new home and why English-language radio matters in today’s Saudi Arabia.

by Dahlia Rahaimy | 6th May 2025

Jeddah skyline with modern skyscrapers and Red Sea coastline, representing Saudi Arabia’s economic growth and the importance of cultural insight for startups entering the market.

Beyond the License: What It Really Takes to Succeed in Saudi Arabia

Startups eyeing Saudi Arabia must understand: success here begins where standard playbooks end.

by Dahlia Rahaimy | 3rd May 2025

Traditional Saudi majlis interior, representing spaces that may be adapted for public dining as cultural norms gradually evolve in Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Homes Turn Into Restaurants as Culture Opens Up

Saudi Arabia’s transformation is often measured in giga-projects and reform plans, but sometimes the more revealing shifts begin quietly — like the decision to turn your family’s old majlis into a dining room for strangers.

by Dahlia Rahaimy | 29th Apr 2025

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

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.

From Dunes to Rivers — and Back Again?

Broadcasting Change: An Australian Voice in Riyadh’s New Soundscape

Beyond the License: What It Really Takes to Succeed in Saudi Arabia

Saudi Homes Turn Into Restaurants as Culture Opens Up

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

Saudi Arabia

DAHLIA RAHAIMY

The author

THE AIM OF SAUDITIMES

DISCOVER SAUDI ARABIA

DUBAI

JEDDAH

FRANKFURT

From Dunes to Rivers — and Back Again?

Broadcasting Change: An Australian Voice in Riyadh’s New Soundscape

Beyond the License: What It Really Takes to Succeed in Saudi Arabia

Saudi Homes Turn Into Restaurants as Culture Opens Up

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

Saudi Arabia

DAHLIA RAHAIMY

The author

THE AIM OF SAUDITIMES

DISCOVER SAUDI ARABIA

DUBAI

JEDDAH

FRANKFURT

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