Ferrari Formula One pit crew in red uniforms working on a race car at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit during the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, surrounded by photographers and bright night lights.

Saudi Arabia’s Cultural Shift: Beyond Soft Power and Star Power

Saudi Arabia’s global rebrand is making headlines, but the real story lies at home. As sports stars, influencers, and cultural icons take the stage, a quieter transformation is reshaping how Saudis see themselves—blending global exposure with local identity to create a more confident, outward-looking society.

by Dahlia Rahaimy | 14th Aug 2025

Viewpoints

Visitors in Riyadh’s historic Justice Palace district wearing modest clothing while receiving traditional Saudi coffee, illustrating the balance between changing dress norms and enduring customs.

What Do Women Have to Wear in Saudi Arabia?

Saudi Arabia’s laws on women’s dress have relaxed, but cultural expectations still shape what feels appropriate. For visitors, understanding these unwritten rules — from when an abaya is optional to how modesty is interpreted in cities versus rural areas — can make the difference between standing out and fitting in.

Aug 13, 2025

Sunlit kitchen with fresh vegetables, flowing water, and a desert landscape outside, symbolizing food and water security.

Food and Water in Saudi Arabia: A Household Challenge with National Stakes

Food and water security in Saudi Arabia is often discussed in terms of megaprojects, supply chains, and national strategy. Yet its impact is most tangible at home. In a country where over 80% of food is imported and water depends on energy-intensive desalination, the real shift is happening in kitchens, classrooms, and family budgets. From mindful hospitality to urban hydroponics, Saudi households are quietly shaping the future of sustainability—one small act at a time.

Jul 31, 2025

Illustration of a stylized Gulf map with Oman highlighted in red-orange, surrounded by VAT receipts and a large income tax document — symbolizing Oman’s 2028 income tax policy and its ripple effect across the region.

A Gulf First: Oman Embraces Income Tax

For decades, the idea of personal income tax in the Gulf felt distant — a concept reserved for foreign travel or dual citizenship obligations. Now, with Oman set to introduce the region’s first such tax in 2028, the conversation is no longer hypothetical. What seemed taboo is becoming a new regional reality, with broader implications for how Gulf citizens view spending, subsidies, and their role in sustaining national budgets.

Jul 18, 2025

Muslim woman in hijab reading the Qur’an alone inside a mosque, sitting on green patterned carpet with sunlight and shadows.

What Does Religion Look Like in Saudi Life Today?

To outsiders, religion in Saudi Arabia often conjures images of rigid rules and public enforcement. But inside the country, a quieter transformation has taken place — one that shifts the focus from obligation to conviction. Faith remains central, yet increasingly personal.

Jul 4, 2025

A Saudi woman shops for abayas at a clothing store in Jeddah. While wearing the abaya is no longer legally required, many women in Saudi Arabia continue to choose it in various styles and colors as part of evolving modest fashion norms.

Do I Have to Wear an Abaya or Hijab in Saudi Arabia?

Saudi Arabia’s dress code has long been a topic of curiosity and misconception. While much has changed in recent years, the question of whether women must still wear an abaya or hijab remains one of the most frequently asked. The answer, as always, depends on context—cultural expectations may speak louder than laws.

Jul 2, 2025

Printed business charts on a reflective office table with three Saudi men in traditional attire having a discussion in the background, symbolizing modern work culture in Saudi Arabia.

Why Saudis Are Redefining Ambition

The stereotype that Saudis are not eager to work lingers in some circles. But in today’s Saudi Arabia, that view is increasingly out of date. Across the Kingdom, a new generation is stepping up—not just to take jobs, but to reshape what work means. Ambition is no longer just about climbing a ladder; it's about building one.

Jun 26, 2025

A deserted highway in Saudi Arabia under the intense midday sun, with heat shimmering over the asphalt and a long line of streetlamps stretching into the horizon.

Beating the Heat: What Saudi Arabia’s Midday Work Ban Reveals

Every summer, the Saudi sun becomes more than a weather forecast—it becomes a workplace hazard. As temperatures soar past 45°C, the government’s midday work ban aims to protect outdoor laborers. But while the rule marks a shift toward greater awareness of occupational safety, its patchy enforcement shows that regulation alone doesn’t always change reality on the ground.

Jun 24, 2025

Crowd of pilgrims surrounding the Kaaba in Makkah, touching its golden door, during Hajj or Umrah season.

How Rules Are Easing the Pressure on Makkah

In Saudi Arabia, the pilgrimage to Makkah has long been a journey of devotion—and for those nearby, a rhythm of daily life. But today, even for Jeddah’s residents, that rhythm is changing. What was once spontaneous is now scheduled, managed through apps and permits. This shift isn’t just about crowd control; it’s a window into how Saudi Arabia is redefining access, identity, and the very structure of public life.

Jun 17, 2025

A minimalist doorway opens onto a vast desert under soft golden light, symbolizing the psychological weight of social expectations in Saudi Arabia and the quiet hope of change.

Error Is a Luxury Few Saudis Can Afford

Mistakes are inevitable — but in Saudi society, they are rarely treated that way. Instead of offering space for growth, they often signal shame, not just for the individual but for families, communities, and entire identities. This article explores the emotional cost of error in the Kingdom, and why a quiet shift in how Saudis relate to pain may mark the beginning of a cultural reset.

Jun 16, 2025

Illustration of six cartoon boys wearing traditional Gulf Arab attire, representing the countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). They stand holding hands beneath a large blank sign outdoors on green grass with a blue sky background.

The Gulf Runs Fast but Needs Deep Roots

The Gulf’s young generation is racing into the future — learning new languages, mastering AI, and chasing global ambitions. But amid the excitement, one question lingers: can a society move forward without losing sight of who it is? Bahraini scholar Omar Al-Ubaydli argues that the region’s real strength lies not just in what it builds but in what it remembers.

Jun 1, 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.

May 3, 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.

Apr 23, 2025