Dr Hanan Balkhy’s nomination to lead the World Health Organization is a notable achievement—but securing its top job will be a demanding contest.

From a Jeddah Classroom to a Global Health Role

Saudi Arabia’s nomination of Dr Hanan Balkhy for WHO director-general is a milestone rooted in professional achievement, social change and, for one former Jeddah schoolmate, personal pride.

by Dahlia Rahaimy | 27th Aug 2026

Society

Saudi Arabia’s World Cup begins against Uruguay, with Spain and Cape Verde completing a deceptively competitive Group H.

A League Transformed, a National Team Unconvinced

Saudi football has never been more ambitious. Yet growing investment, international stars and global attention have not ended questions about whether the national team is progressing at the same pace.

Jun 16, 2026

Saudi Arabia’s cultural transformation is increasingly provoking debates over language, identity and modernity.

Saudi Arabia’s New Arts University Opens an Identity Debate

The controversy over English-language teaching at Riyadh University of Arts reflects deeper Saudi anxieties over identity and modernisation.

Jun 15, 2026

Broader inclusion may prove one of Saudi Arabia’s most important shifts.

Disability in Saudi Arabia and the Routes to Visibility

When Wadha Al-Shammari became the first Saudi deaf graduate selected to deliver a commencement speech at Gallaudet University, her achievement reflected a broader Saudi story: how disability in Saudi Arabia moved from a largely family responsibility to a growing institutional one.

May 18, 2026

Entertainment

A Saudi woman smiles while watching a television cartoon showing two men arguing over paperwork, echoing the style and humour of the Saudi satire Masameer.

Masameer and the Art of Saudi Self-Mockery

Once a scrappy YouTube series, Masameer has become Saudi Arabia’s cultural mirror—an animated satire where laughter doubles as quiet critique. By turning everyday frustrations into comedy, it captures the Kingdom’s shifting social mood, where self-reflection now comes with a punchline.

Nov 6, 2025

Riyadh’s skyline glows with laughter. The city’s first major comedy festival turns entertainment into a quiet marker of cultural change.

Riyadh Comedy Festival Draws Global Debate

When the Riyadh Comedy Festival opened in late September, its laughter carried more than amusement. Featuring 50 global comedians, the two-week event turned Riyadh into a world stage — and a flashpoint for debate. For Saudis, it marked cultural progress; for critics abroad, a question of free speech and image.

Oct 7, 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.

Apr 29, 2025

Culture

At the Jeddah Biennale, Islamic artists from across the world reflected Saudi Arabia’s ambition to become a centre for contemporary Islamic art under Vision 2030.

Saudi Arabia in Venice: Why “A Necessary Fiction” Is About More Than Art

Inside a quiet Venetian abbey, Saudi Arabia is displaying maps filled with myths, trade routes and imagined worlds. Yet “A Necessary Fiction,” the Kingdom’s latest exhibition at the Venice Biennale, is about more than cartography. It reflects a country attempting to redraw its own image — from a state once defined abroad by oil and conservatism to one increasingly using culture, heritage and art to shape how it is understood globally.

May 14, 2026

The dallah still pours as it always has; only the setting has changed.

The Kingdom in a Cup

In Saudi Arabia, coffee is far more than a daily beverage. From the mountain-grown Khawlani beans of Jazan to the bustling cafés of Riyadh, Saudi coffee culture reflects centuries of hospitality, conversation and social connection. As Vision 2030 fuels a revival of local coffee production and modern café culture, the Kingdom’s most enduring ritual continues to unite tradition with contemporary life.

May 11, 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.

Jan 14, 2026

SaudiFAQ

Diriyah’s mud-brick buildings reflect the architectural traditions of Najd and mark the birthplace of the first Saudi state.

What Does Saudi Arabia’s Hidden History Reveal About the Country Today?

Saudi Arabia’s history did not begin with oil. From AlUla’s ancient tombs to Diriyah, Historic Jeddah and the mountain villages of Asir, the country contains layers of history that many international visitors are only beginning to discover.

Aug 26, 2026

Crowds fill a heritage district in Jeddah. Growing cultural diversity and social interaction can enrich communities—but also increase the potential for misunderstanding.

What Do Outsiders Get Wrong About Saudi Arabia?

Saudi Arabia is often viewed through assumptions that no longer reflect daily reality. While many outsiders still picture a socially uniform or isolated country, visitors frequently discover a far more diverse, connected and dynamic society. From modern city life and evolving social norms to strong traditions and renowned hospitality, experiencing Saudi Arabia firsthand often challenges long-held stereotypes and changes perceptions in unexpected ways.

Jun 17, 2026

Newcomers to Saudi Arabia often find a society more reserved—and more welcoming—than expected.

What Most Surprises Foreigners About Saudi Arabia?

Many foreigners moving to Saudi Arabia are initially struck by how deeply family ties influence daily decisions and social life. Privacy is highly valued, shaping interactions in ways that differ from other cultures. Informal social rules guide respectful behavior, while genuine hospitality and a strong sense of safety create a welcoming environment. Over time, newcomers find that trust and community emerge through patience and cultural understanding, making life in Saudi Arabia both unique and

Jun 10, 2026