How Saudi Arabia turned back to the future

Updated 24 September 2019
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How Saudi Arabia turned back to the future

  • When Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman pledged to bring back moderate Islam, he referenced a time before the developments of 1979 halted the Kingdom’s progress

Saudi Arabia was on a roll in the 1970s, enjoying the social and cultural developments that had begun in the previous two decades, and buoyed by the rising price of oil and the Kingdom’s first Development Plan.

But 1979 changed everything. Saudi Arabia took a conservative turn, prompted by two events: the Iranian Revolution in February, which brought Ayatollah Khomeini to power, and the siege by religious extremists of the Grand Mosque in Makkah. 


OPINION: Reconnecting with the past, reimagining the future (Faisal J. Abbas, Editor-in-Chief, Arab News)


As Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman told 2017’s Future Investment Initiative: “We were not like this in the past. We only want to go back to what we were, the moderate Islam that is open to the world, open to all the religions … And quite frankly, we will not waste 30 years of our lives in dealing with extremist ideas … We want to live a normal life, a life that translates our moderate religion, our good customs.”

And that’s what has happened. Under Vision 2030 and a flurry of life-altering developments – movies and concerts, greater freedom for women, fitness in schools, to name just a few – the Kingdom is on a trajectory back to the future.


— THEN —


1955 - Saudi Arabia’s first private school for girls, Dar Al-Hanan, is founded in Jeddah by Princess Effat, with the support of her husband, Crown Prince Faisal bin Abdul Aziz, amid a social outcry. 


Read more: Saudi schooling goes back to the future


1960 - Royal decree approves public education for girls; schools are established in Riyadh, Makkah and other cities.

1962 - The non-profit women’s organization, Al-Nahda, is established by Princess Effat and a number of prominent Saudi women.

1963 

  • The Council of Ministers approves a project to establish television in the Kingdom.
  • The Department of Youth Welfare (previously the Department of Sport) creates four federations: volleyball, basketball, athletic and cycling.

1965 - King Faisal approves the first national television broadcast, a reading of the Qur’an, amid protests from conservatives.




King Faisal (right) and US President Richard Nixon.

  • The first TV broadcast in Saudi Arabia is launched from the US Consulate in Dhahran; “The Eye of the Desert” is broadcast in English and only to the Dhahran area. 

Read more: Saudis look back on the dawn of broadcasting on Saudi National Day 


1957

  • The Kingdom’s first institute of higher education, King Saud University, is opened in Riyadh.
  • The launch of Aramco TV, with a wider broadcasting range that reaches Al-Hofuf and other areas across the Gulf. Broadcasts are in both Arabic and English.

OPINION: The 1970s — a seismic decade for Saudi Arabia’s economy  (Frank Kane)


Read more: Mark Lowey, known by his Saudi friends as AbuJack, offers never seen images of the real Saudi during the 1970s


1979

IRANIAN REVOLUTION

January 22 - Shah Mohammed Reza Pahlavi and his wife leave Tehran.

February 1 - Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini returns to Iran from exile in France.

February 11 - Khomeini officially assumes power when troops loyal to the shah surrender.

February 16 - Iran’s revolutionary authorities start executions of leading supporters of the shah, including four top generals.

November 4 - US embassy in Tehran stormed by Iranian students who take 52 Americans hostage, demanding the extradition of the shah.


OPINION: Why Iran’s ‘Awakening’ created a nightmare for the Gulf  (Dr. Mohammed Al-Sulami)



SIEGE OF MAKKAH’S GRAND MOSQUE

November 20 - A well-organized group led by Saudi militant Juhayman Al-Otaibi storms the Grand Mosque with weapons smuggled in coffins and vehicles using members pretending to be there to pray. Al-Otaibi is a member of Al-Jamaa Al-Salafiya Al-




Militants arrested after the Makkah Siege of 1979 are escorted to prison. (File photo) 

Muhtasiba (Salafi Group that Commands Right and Forbids Wrong), which is angered by Western social influence, women’s presence in the Saudi workforce, TV and other issues. Worshippers are prevented from leaving after the announcement of a takeover over a microphone. Hostages are forced to pledge allegiance to the group’s leader, Mohammed bin Abduallah Al-Qahtani, Al-Otaibi and their followers.

December 4 - The siege lasts for two weeks and ends after an intervention by Saudi special forces and their allies, leaving hundreds dead, including Saudi officers, soldiers and civilians as well as Al-Qahtani and his followers. Al-Otaibi is arrested and executed on Jan. 9, 1980.


Read more: 





Arab News Saudi National Day cover wrap by collage artist Peter Quinnell. Check it out: https://tinyurl.com/y2cwarqo 


— NOW —


2016

  • Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman unveils Vision 2030, a road map for Saudi Arabia’s future.
  • The Saudi Cabinet approves a new law restricting the religious police from questioning, pursuing or arresting violators; they must instead report them to the police or anti-narcotics officers.

Read more: Saudi women celebrate new freedoms on Saudi National Day 


  • Princess Reema bint Bandar is appointed vice president for women’s affairs at the General Sports Authwority.
  • Kariman Abuljadayel is the first Saudi woman to compete in the 100-meter event at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Brazil.

Read more: Sporting success puts Saudi Arabia on track for glory on Saudi National Day


  • The General Authority for Entertainment and the General Sports Authority are established by royal decree.

2017

  • King Salman appoints Mohammed bin Salman as crown prince ofSaudi Arabia.
  • The Saudi Stock Exchange appoints a woman, Sarah Al-Suhaimi, as chairperson for the first time.

     

  • In one of the first public music performances in many years, Mohammed Abdo performs for a men-only audience in Jeddah.

  • Giga-projects are launched: NEOM, a $500-billion megacity in theTabuk region, and the RedSea tourism project.
  • Saudi state schools announce that they will offer physical education classes for female students.
  • At the inaugural Future Investment Initiative in Riyadh, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman pledges a return to moderate Islam.

2018

  • Female fans are allowed to attend football matches for the first time in Saudi Arabia; the match was Al-Ahli vs. Al-Batin in Jeddah on Jan. 12. 
  • Ending a 35-year ban on cinemas, the first commercial movie theater opens in Riyadh with a screening of “Black Panther” on April 18.
  • A ban on Saudi women driving is lifted on June 24.
  • An anti-harassment law, approved by the Shoura Council, receives praise from around the world.
  • King Salman launches plans for Qiddiya, expected to be the world’s largest entertainment city.
  • The Culture Ministry, headed by Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Mohammed bin Farhan Al-Saud, is established.

Read more: Saudi Arabia’s ‘cultural rebirth’ in spotlight on Saudi National Day


  • Al-Ahsa Oasis is designated a UNESCO World Heritage site.
  • Weam Al-Dakheel becomes the first Saudi woman to anchor the main evening news on Saudi TV.
  • Enrique Iglesias, Amr Diab and the Black Eyed Peas are among the first international performers at the Formula E in Riyadh, for which the first trial tourist visas are granted.
  • The WWE’s Royal Rumble takes place at Jeddah’s King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah, beginning a 10-year partnership with the General Sports Authority.

2019

  • Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman launches a mega tourism project in AlUla which will include a resort designed by renowned French architect Jean Nouvel and a nature reserve dubbed Sharaan.

     

  • Lubna Al-Olayan becomes the first Saudi chairwoman to run a Saudi bank, a merger between Alawwal and Saudi British Bank.
  • Saudi Arabia’s first female ambassador, Princess Reema bint Bandar (top center), is appointed to Washington.
  • The Saudi Cabinet approves a “Privileged Iqama residency permit,” which will allow foreign nationals to work and live in Saudi Arabia without a sponsor, offered to highly skilled expatriates and owners of capital funds.
  • By royal decree, Saudi women no longer require permission from a male guardian to travel or obtain a passport.
  • A lineup of superstars perform in concerts across the Kingdom: Mariah Carey, Janet Jackson and 50 Cent in Jeddah; Andrea Bocelli in AlUla; Pitbull and Akon in the Eastern Province.
  • High-profile sports events include the Italian Super Cup between Juventus and AC Milan; Fight Night between world boxing champion Amir Khan and Billy Dib; and the largest Battle Royale in WWE history.

FULL COVERAGE OF SAUDI NATIONAL DAY 2019 >>


Saudi, Japan officials discuss relations in Tokyo

Updated 19 February 2025
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Saudi, Japan officials discuss relations in Tokyo

TOKYO: Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Hisashi Matsumoto met with Saudi Arabia’s Ambassador Ghazi Faisal S. Binzagr on Wednesday to discuss various issues, including the two nations’ recently launched Strategic Partnership Council.

Matsumoto highlighted that this year marks the 70th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries, and expressed hope relations would continue to develop in various fields.

Binzagr echoed Matsumoto’s sentiments and thanked him for attending the recent Japan-Saudi Vision 2030 Ministerial Roundtable in Riyadh.


KSrelief organizes training in Aden on cholera, infection controls

Updated 19 February 2025
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KSrelief organizes training in Aden on cholera, infection controls

  • 170 doctors, nurses and healthcare workers from across Yemen receive training

RIYADH: The Kingdom’s aid agency KSrelief recently held a training course in Aden governorate for healthcare personnel to treat cholera patients and institute infection controls, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday.

The course was held in partnership with the World Health Organization and the Ministry of Health, as a part of the cholera-prevention project in Yemen.

A total of 170 doctors, nurses, and healthcare workers from across Yemen received training on Feb. 12 and 13.

The course covered epidemiological definitions, transmission methods, risk factors, clinical manifestations, dehydration assessment, cholera management during pregnancy, and treatment of malnourished children.

The initiative is a part of Saudi Arabia’s efforts, through KSrelief, to enhance Yemen’s healthcare system, particularly the management of infectious diseases.


MWL hosts forum to foster dialogue, promote Islamic unity

MWL will host second edition of the Global Conference for Building Bridges Between Islamic Schools of Thought and Sects in March
Updated 19 February 2025
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MWL hosts forum to foster dialogue, promote Islamic unity

  • Makkah conference will feature senior figures from various sects, denominations
  • Guide to common Islamic principles to be launched during forum

RIYADH: The Muslim World League will host the second edition of the Global Conference for Building Bridges Between Islamic Schools of Thought and Sects on March 6-7 in Makkah, Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday.

The conference will bring together leading muftis, scholars, intellectuals, and representatives from senior Islamic councils, jurisprudential academies, and religious institutions across different sects and denominations.

It will serve as a unified platform for fostering constructive dialogue among diverse Islamic traditions as well as coordinating efforts and resources to strengthen Islamic unity, while ensuring mutual respect for doctrinal diversity.

The forum also aims to overcome sectarian disputes that have historically led to division and conflict, and promote fraternity and cohesion through practical initiatives.

This year’s conference marks a critical step in transforming the principles outlined in the inaugural conference into actionable programs, SPA said.

Discussions will address issues such as enhancing intra-Islamic dialogue and cooperation.

A highlight of the conference will be the launch of the encyclopedia of Islamic intellectual convergence, prepared by the Center for Safeguarding Intellect.

The encyclopedia, developed with contributions from 60 Islamic scholars and thinkers, aims to serve as a comprehensive guide to common Islamic principles.


Arab countries welcome Saudi Arabia’s hosting of talks between US, Russia

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio shake hands in Riyadh. (SPA)
Updated 18 February 2025
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Arab countries welcome Saudi Arabia’s hosting of talks between US, Russia

  • Russia, US agree to start working toward ending conflict in Ukraine

RIYADH: Arab countries on Tuesday welcomed Saudi efforts to host talks in Riyadh between the US and Russia on the Ukraine conflict.

Russia and the US agreed to start working toward ending the conflict in Ukraine and improving their diplomatic and economic ties, the two countries’ top diplomats said after the talks.

The UAE expressed “hope that the talks will serve as a significant step towards bridging differences, fostering communication and advancing dialogue to bring an end to the nearly three-year-long conflict,” the Emirates News Agency reported.

Its Ministry of Foreign Affairs commended the efforts of Saudi Arabia in hosting the talks “which reflect the Kingdom’s commitment to supporting international peace efforts, and achieving global stability and prosperity.”

The ministry reaffirmed the UAE’s commitment to supporting peaceful resolutions to conflicts and promoting international cooperation in addressing global challenges.

Majed Al-Ansari, the spokesperson for Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, welcomed Saudi efforts to lead the talks that “will hopefully result in peace in a struggle that has gone on for a very long time.”

Al-Ansari added: “We have called from day one for both parties to engage in a peaceful resolution of this war. This war has had huge humanitarian costs and great geopolitical (and) economic impact globally.”

Kuwait’s Foreign Ministry also welcomed the talks and expressed the hope that they would “lead to achieving their desired goals in enhancing security and stability in the world.”

Sufyan Qudah, Jordan’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, commended Saudi Arabia for its pivotal role in hosting the talks and said they highlighted the Kingdom’s continuous efforts to foster comprehensive and just peace worldwide.

The Palestinian presidency said the talks were a culmination of the wise policy pursued by Saudi Arabia’s leadership, adding that it was “a policy that fosters regional and international stability and affirms Riyadh’s commitment to its effective role in achieving peace and security.”


Manga exhibition in Jeddah explores evolution of Japanese artform

Updated 18 February 2025
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Manga exhibition in Jeddah explores evolution of Japanese artform

  • Event strengthens bonds of friendship, cooperation between Kingdom and Japan, says consul-general

JEDDAH: As Saudi Arabia and Japan celebrate 70 years of diplomatic relations, the Consulate-General of Japan in Jeddah is marking the milestone with Manga Hokusai Manga, a three-week art exhibition running until March 8.

Organized in collaboration with the Jeddah Historical Development Project and the Japan Foundation, the exhibition explores the evolution of Japanese manga from the 19th-century works of ukiyo-e master Katsushika Hokusai to the modern format that has gained widespread popularity in the Kingdom.

‘Futatasumakura,’ 1981 by Hinao Sugiura. (AN photos/Supplied)

Hosted at Bait Amir Bahar in Al-Balad, one of Jeddah’s historic homes, the exhibition highlights both the similarities and contrasts between the artistic styles while showcasing the cultural depth of Japanese storytelling.

Rather than simply focusing on how Hokusai’s work influenced manga, the exhibition invites visitors to compare both styles and understand what makes them unique. It examines themes such as visual storytelling, artistic techniques and cultural participation across different eras.

HIGHLIGHT

The exhibition in Jeddah explores the evolution of Japanese manga from the 19th-century works of ukiyo-e master Katsushika Hokusai to the modern format that has gained widespread popularity in the Kingdom.

Hokusai’s manga drawings, while sometimes resembling cartoons, encompass a wide variety of subjects, from nature to human expressions and everyday life. Unlike modern comics, his work was not centered on humor but balanced artistic instruction with entertainment — much like how manga today combines storytelling with visual artistry.

‘Portrait of Hokuai,’ 2015, by Sawa Sakura. (AN photos/Supplied)

Hokusai created his manga using woodblock printing, transferring the images onto paper in three primary colors: Black, gray and pale peach. The collection, comprising 4,000 illustrations across almost 800 pages, was published between 1814 and 1878 in 15 volumes bound with string.

The phrase denshin kaishu, which precedes the title, translates to “transmitting the spirit and learning the craft,” highlighting the collection’s educational purpose.

Hosted at Bait Amir Bahar in Al-Balad, one of Jeddah’s historic homes, the Manga Hokusai Manga exhibition showcases the cultural depth of Japanese storytelling. (AN photos/Supplied)

Hokusai Manga was originally used as a reference book for aspiring artists, much like today’s “How to Draw Manga” guides. Similar to modern fan-made manga, his work encouraged learning, copying and artistic experimentation.

In an exclusive interview with Arab News, Daisuke Yamamoto, the consul-general of Japan in Jeddah, described Hokusai as one of Japan’s greatest artists, modernizing traditional print styles through innovations in subject matter and composition.

Daisuke Yamamoto, Consul-general of Japan in Jeddah

“Hokusai transformed the ukiyo-e genre traditionally focused on images of fleeting pleasures — by shifting its emphasis from people to landscapes and the changing seasons,” Yamamoto said. “His print designs invited audiences to witness nature’s transience, capturing birds in flight, flowers in bloom and water in motion. Through his work, he blended an acute awareness of the fleeting with a deep appreciation for the timeless.”

According to an official statement, Hokusai’s work captured Japan’s diverse landscapes, portraying scenes and activities connected by shared symbols and narratives. He was among the first artists to both shape and be shaped by globalization, drawing from international influences and later inspiring European artists who adopted his decorative motifs, serialized compositions and vision of contemporary society. To this day, countless artists continue to engage with his legacy.

(This exhibition) provides an opportunity for a wide range of people to know about each other’s culture, which will be reflected in the future in their understanding of each other and facilitate all other aspects of cooperation.

Daisuke Yamamoto, Consul-general of Japan in Jeddah

Reflecting on the exhibition’s significance, Yamamoto highlighted its role in strengthening cultural ties between Saudi Arabia and Japan: “Holding this exhibition and other cultural events basically confirmed the excellent cultural cooperation between Japan and Saudi Arabia, and strengthens the bonds of friendship and cooperation, and provides an opportunity for a wide range of people to know about each other’s culture, which will be reflected in the future in their understanding of each other and facilitate all other aspects of cooperation.”

Hokusai’s manga drawings, while sometimes resembling cartoons, encompass a wide variety of subjects, from nature to human expressions and everyday life. (AN photos/Supplied)

Since the 1970s, Hokusai himself has appeared as a character in manga, reimagined by various artists in styles ranging from realistic portrayals to fantastical interpretations. This reflects manga’s evolution, blending historical figures with contemporary storytelling techniques.

Ukiyo-e, the popular art of the 18th and 19th centuries, foreshadowed comic techniques such as visualizing the invisible. However, its speech-like balloons often depicted dreams rather than dialogue, and weather lines were integrated into the scene rather than used as abstract symbols.

Hosted at Bait Amir Bahar in Al-Balad, one of Jeddah’s historic homes, the Manga Hokusai Manga exhibition showcases the cultural depth of Japanese storytelling. (AN photos/Supplied)

Hokusai’s most popular collection of printed drawings was named “manga.” While the collection is primarily known for its diverse subjects and painting style, its frequent portrayal of exaggerated expressions and acrobatic scenes has led many to associate “manga” with cartoons or humorous images.

When compared to the work of his contemporary, Utagawa Kuniyoshi, it becomes clear that Hokusai’s manga images were not necessarily intended to be funny.

In 19th-century Japan, the success of Hokusai’s manga was rooted in the balance between the mundane and the whimsical, instruction and entertainment. This blend helped secure the collection’s lasting appeal.

Today’s Japanese comics share similarities in content, particularly in their focus on capturing movement, and in their wide circulation, thanks to advancements in reproduction technology.