Off-road buggy carving through desert dunes, trailing sand and dust — a visual echo of Saudi Arabia’s enduring fascination with cars, speed, and open space.

From Drifting to Discipline: The Changing Face of Saudi Car Culture

Cars in Saudi Arabia are more than transport—they’re identity, rebellion, and freedom on four wheels. From late-night drifting in Riyadh to Lucid’s new EVs, the nation’s roads reveal a deeper story: how speed became both a symbol of control and escape in a society still finding its balance.

by Dahlia Rahaimy | 11th Nov 2025

Society

Cultivated rows of leafy green plants growing in sandy soil with traditional beige buildings and palm trees in the background under clear desert sunlight.

Saudi Arabia’s Quiet Green Shift: From Desert Scarcity to Sustainable Growth

Food and water security in Saudi Arabia has never been just a policy concern—it’s part of daily life. For generations, Saudis have understood the limits of their land and the value of every drop. Today, as the country modernizes and global disruptions reshape supply chains, that inherited awareness is turning into action. What was once a quiet understanding is now becoming a shared responsibility, uniting households, schools, and communities in the effort to sustain what truly matters.

Oct 28, 2025

Open Qur’an with black prayer beads placed on its pages, photographed on a wooden surface with a green leaf above, representing spirituality and contemplation.

Therapy in Saudi Arabia has quietly stepped out of the shadows. Once dismissed or confined to privat

Therapy in Saudi Arabia has quietly stepped out of the shadows. Once dismissed or confined to private whispers, it is now becoming a language of understanding for a society in transition. In rooms where faith meets vulnerability, Saudis are learning that healing can be both deeply cultural and profoundly human.

Oct 21, 2025

A hand tapping a smartphone with glowing warning icons, symbolizing cybersecurity threats and digital protection.

Saudi Arabia’s Best Firewall Is Called Fatemah

From a nation once known for limiting women’s access to the Internet emerges the woman now guarding it. Dr. Fatemah Alharbi, twice named Top Cybersecurity Woman of the World, embodies both personal excellence and Saudi Arabia’s digital transformation.

Oct 14, 2025

Off the Feed: Saudi Arabia Bans Children from Influencer Content

Saudi Arabia’s new social media law has banned influencers from featuring children in any content. In a country where family life once filled online feeds, the move signals not just concern for minors’ welfare but a return to traditional notions of privacy.

Oct 7, 2025

Microphone in front of the Saudi Arabia flag symbolising podcasting, expat life in Saudi Arabia, and cultural understanding.

Saudi Life: Unpacked — Expat Voices Beyond the Compound Walls

Expatriates in Saudi Arabia have long lived behind compound walls; Saudi Life: Unpacked offers a rarer glimpse into the everyday rhythms that shape Saudi Arabia.

Sep 30, 2025

Auctioneer standing on a truck selling dates at the Buraydah Date Market in Saudi Arabia, surrounded by traders and buyers during the lively morning auction.

Saudi Arabia Steps into the Auction World

Saudi Arabia’s auctions once meant camels, dates, and cars. With Sotheby’s now in Riyadh, the gavel is falling on paintings and prestige—signaling a cultural shift at home.

Sep 9, 2025

Saudi women take a selfie by the fire, reflecting how digital life reshapes reputation and identity.

Digital Mirrors: Saudi Youth and the Politics of Expression

In Saudi Arabia, a selfie is never just a selfie. Behind every post lies a careful negotiation between family expectations, social reputation, Arabizi and individuality—making social media both a stage for expression and a mirror of anxiety.

Aug 26, 2025

A winding mountain road in the Hijaz mountains, near the Al Bahah region of Saudi Arabia. "Mountain road in the Hijaz mountains near Al Bahah, Saudi Arabia."

Al Baha Tourism: An Almond Orchard and the Saudi Way of Change

Al Baha may be known for its cool air and terraced peaks, but its real story lies in orchards and traditions quietly shaping Saudi tourism. Here, progress is measured not only in mega-projects, but in how locals turn heritage into experiences that endure.

Aug 24, 2025

Two Saudi teenage students, one in traditional attire and one in a blue shirt, work together on a small wheeled robot in a bright classroom equipped with a 3D printer and digital learning tools.

Saudi Arabia Bets on Technical Talent Early

Saudi Arabia is opening specialised technology high schools to train teenagers in coding, robotics, and AI—shifting education from rote learning to innovation and preparing students early for the future of work.

Aug 19, 2025

Saudi man in traditional white thobe and red-checkered headscarf places a hand on the shoulder of an African migrant, with a woman in a black hijab watching in the background.

Saudi Arabia Tightens the Rules on Who Gets to Stay

In Saudi Arabia’s western cities, undocumented workers were once neighbors, household helpers, and part of the social fabric. Now, a sweeping deportation campaign is replacing quiet acceptance with legal precision—signaling not just a change in policy, but in the country’s understanding of who belongs.

Aug 12, 2025

Split table showing a lavish Saudi feast on one side and a minimalist meal on the other, highlighting the contrast between excess and restraint.

A Tradition of Plenty, A Moment for Restraint

Weddings in Saudi Arabia are showcases of generosity—but with much food uneaten, some are rethinking the meaning of abundance. A new regulation may help families be thoughtful hosts without breaking tradition.

Jul 10, 2025

A multigenerational Saudi family celebrates together in a living room, sharing tea, sweets, and gifts. Adults and children wear traditional attire, surrounded by balloons and decorations, symbolizing cultural warmth and family connection amid societal cha

A Quiet Generational Shift Is Reshaping Saudi Society

What are young Saudis like now? Behind the reforms and rapid change lies a quieter story—of families, expectations, and a generation learning to redefine tradition.

Jul 3, 2025