All Articles with the tag #Identity

What is the size of Saudi Arabia?

Saudi Arabia is enormous — and the Kingdom’s scale explains far more than its place on a map. It shapes how Saudis travel, how regions evolved culturally, and why development across a landscape stretching from the Rub’ al-Khali to the Red Sea requires both ambition and patience.

Calendar Icon Dec 3, 2025

Courtney Freer, a scholar of Gulf politics and Islamism, smiling while seated in an office setting during an academic interview.
Beyond Oil: Courtney Freer on Islamism, Nationalism, and Saudi Arabia

Islamism, nationalism, and the shifting politics of the Gulf are often treated as disconnected themes. Yet Dr. Courtney Freer, a political scientist at Emory University, argues that these forces intersect more deeply than outsiders assume. In her conversation with Saudi Times, she explains how the Muslim Brotherhood, state-led nationalism, and new forms of Gulf identity continue to shape the region — far beyond the familiar narratives of oil and security.

Calendar Icon Dec 2, 2025

View of the Louvre Abu Dhabi’s white geometric buildings set over turquoise water, with the museum’s dome behind them, seen on a clear Gulf morning.
Museums and Memory: Why the Gulf’s Cultural Turn Matters for Saudis

The Gulf is rethinking culture. In his ICOM Dubai address, Zaki Nusseibeh — Cultural Advisor to the UAE President and Chancellor of UAE University — captured a growing regional conviction: museums are no longer quiet repositories of memory but active forces shaping identity, belonging, and the pace of change. For Saudi Arabia, that shift could not be more timely.

Calendar Icon Nov 21, 2025

A minimalist illustration on a red background showing an open book, an artist’s palette with a paintbrush, and an oud placed side by side, symbolising literature, visual arts, and music in Saudi culture.
Alzahrani’s Argument for Culture as a National Resource

Culture is moving from the margins of Saudi life to the centre of its public conversation. As Dr. Hatem Alzahrani recently argued, investing in creativity is becoming a way for the country to understand itself — not just an economic choice, but a social shift many Saudis now feel.

Calendar Icon Nov 18, 2025

Koelnmesse, Cologne — where experts discussed Saudi Arabia’s social transformation and its impact on global business in 2025.
Interview with the Cologne/Bonn Fair: Observing Saudi Society and Business Dynamics

As Saudi Arabia undergoes a profound social and economic transformation, its evolving identity offers valuable lessons for international partners. The Kingdom’s modernization—spanning workplaces, public life, and trade—reveals a society balancing continuity with change, and a market that rewards cultural understanding as much as commercial strategy.

Calendar Icon Oct 31, 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.

Calendar Icon Aug 26, 2025

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.

Calendar Icon Aug 14, 2025

Shubhda Chaudhary seated at Suwaidi Park during Riyadh Season, wearing a mustard yellow blouse and olive green pants, smiling at the camera in front of a branded backdrop featuring the park and event logos.
Reframing Saudi Arabia: An Indian Perspective by Shubhda Chaudhary

Indian scholar Shubhda Chaudhary arrived in Riyadh expecting complexity — and found far more. Her journey revealed a vibrant, welcoming Saudi society that defies outside narratives.

Calendar Icon Aug 5, 2025

Gastronomy and Change: Why Saudi Arabia’s MICHELIN Launch Matters

The arrival of the MICHELIN Guide in Saudi Arabia is more than a culinary milestone. It reflects how food—long tied to tradition—is now at the centre of a wider cultural transformation.

Calendar Icon Jul 29, 2025

A view of Salwa Palace at the At-Turaif UNESCO World Heritage site in Diriyah, Saudi Arabia. The restored mudbrick architecture stands beneath a pale sky, representing the country’s efforts to document and preserve its pre-modern history.
Saudi Arabia’s Buried Past Is No Longer Ignored

In a country often defined by its futuristic ambitions, a quiet but powerful shift is taking place—one that looks backwards. More than 700 archaeological sites have just been added to the national register, expanding a growing movement to preserve and recognize the depth of cultural history. This isn't about new discoveries, but about newfound attention, scale, and purpose.

Calendar Icon Jul 24, 2025

Forked road with signs reading “Approval” and “Instinct” in a grassy countryside.
Everyone Knows Best Except You

Everyone has something to say — especially when you didn’t ask. From well-meaning strangers to overzealous elders, advice arrives with drama, certainty, and a cultural twist. But what happens when you grow up between two worlds — one that reveres advice and one that questions it?

Calendar Icon Jul 20, 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.

Calendar Icon Jul 3, 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.

Calendar Icon Jun 16, 2025

A Saudi family of three generations gathers in a living room decorated with balloons and gifts. Men, women, and children dressed in traditional attire share food, tea, and presents, reflecting both festive warmth and the generational bonds that shape Saud
Generation X in Saudi Arabia: The Silent Adapters

They are neither nostalgic boomers nor digitally fluent Gen Z. In Saudi Arabia’s generational saga, Generation X often fades into the background—overlooked, overburdened, and under-celebrated. Yet this middle cohort holds a mirror to the nation’s transformation, bridging the values of yesterday with the demands of today.

Calendar Icon Jun 10, 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.

Calendar Icon Jun 1, 2025

A high-resolution aerial view showing Saudi Arabia’s diverse regions: green terraced hills, rugged mountains, sweeping desert dunes, and a coastal city along the shoreline, all captured under soft golden light.
Many Faces, One Kingdom

Often seen as a uniform nation, Saudi Arabia is in fact a vibrant mosaic of regions, dialects, and traditions — a diversity that’s now being proudly celebrated across the country.

Calendar Icon May 30, 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.

Calendar Icon Apr 29, 2025

Visitors at Diriyah, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Saudi Arabia, highlighting cultural heritage and modern development in Saudi tourism.
Saudi Arabia Reinvents Itself Beyond Oil

Saudi Arabia’s economic diversification is transforming its workforce, fostering innovation in non-oil sectors, and redefining traditions, reflecting a society in motion.

Calendar Icon Nov 28, 2024

Saudi Gen Z embracing cultural roots and modern opportunities in a transforming society.
Saudi Arabia’s Gen Z Rewrites the Rules

Saudi Arabia’s Gen Z stands at a crossroads, balancing deep family traditions with their personal ambitions. This generation is redefining identity with creativity, resilience, and a profound respect for their heritage.

Calendar Icon Nov 11, 2024

A map of Saudi Arabia showing its geographical borders and location in the Middle East.
Francesco Schiavi on Saudi Arabia’s Path: Balancing Ambition and Change

Francesco Salesio Schiavi shares his insights on how Saudi Arabia is shaping its global presence through ambitious mega-projects and strategic investments in sports, culture, and tourism, amidst regional competition.

Calendar Icon Oct 16, 2024

A professional office setting featuring a man in a suit and a woman in traditional Saudi attire engaged in a dialogue. The background showcases a panoramic view of Riyadh's skyline, including the iconic Kingdom Tower. (Source: DALL-E)
Sebastian Sons: Bridging Perspectives on Saudi Arabia

In an era of growing polarization, Sebastian Sons emphasizes the power of healthy dialogue in bridging cultural gaps, particularly in the context of Saudi Arabia's social development and Vision 2030.

Calendar Icon Aug 27, 2024

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