Crossroads Arabia

‘Agents of The State Or Of God’: So What’s It To Be?

‘Agents of The State Or Of God’: So What’s It To Be?

CROSSROADS ARABIA: A well-known commentator on Saudi affairs has examined critically the role that the religious police occupy in everyday life

 Crossroads Arabia

Saudi Religious Police Have Their Powers Reduced

Saudi Religious Police Have Their Powers Reduced

CROSSROADS ARABIA: Too often they appear to act as an ill-disciplined militia but their powers have been dramatically curtailed.

 Crossroads Arabia

Saudi Woman Converts: Surprise Coverage

Saudi Woman Converts: Surprise Coverage

CROSSROADS ARABIA: It’s the first time that I can recall such a story being covered by the Saudi media.

 Ahmed-Al-Omran

Virtue in the Kingdom: Profile of New President

Virtue in the Kingdom: Profile of New President

AHMED AL OMRAN: The new President of the Commission for Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice has his work cut out.

 Crossroads Arabia

The ‘Five Red Lines’ Saudis Must Not Cross

The ‘Five Red Lines’ Saudis Must Not Cross

CROSSROADS ARABIA: The President of the Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice delivers a pep talk.

 Crossroads Arabia

Fines, Floggings and Jail for Female Harassers

Fines, Floggings and Jail for Female Harassers

CROSSROADS ARABIA: The Saudi Authorities have decided to crack down hard on young men who harass women in the Kingdom.

 Crossroads Arabia

Saudi’s ‘Modern Day Slavery’: The Solution?

Saudi’s ‘Modern Day Slavery’: The Solution?

CROSSROADS ARABIA: How can Saudi Arabia can continue its system of hiring foreign workers that treats some as slaves – and what is the solution?

 Rob L. Wagner

Saudi University Demos ‘Unnerve Authorities’

Saudi University Demos ‘Unnerve Authorities’

ROB L. WAGNER: The normally tranquil King Khalid University has seen violent demonstrations over recent days.

 Rob L. Wagner

‘My Heart Says Stay, My Head Says Go Home’

‘My Heart Says Stay, My Head Says Go Home’

ROB L. WAGNER: Female students returning to Saudi Arabia from studies abroad are finding they have limited, restrictive options.

 Crossroads Arabia

New Head of Saudi Religious Police: A Moderate?

New Head of Saudi Religious Police: A Moderate?

CROSSROADS ARABIA: A well known supporter of the right of women to work Sheikh Abdullatif Al-Sheikh still has a traditional view of their place within Saudi society.

 Crossroads Arabia

Saudi Universities Producing ‘Unemployable’ Graduates

Saudi Universities Producing ‘Unemployable’ Graduates

CROSSROADS ARABIA: There is a huge problem with third level education in the Kingdom. But will anything ever be done about it?

 Rob L. Wagner

Christmas in Saudi Arabia: Quietly Festive

Christmas in Saudi Arabia: Quietly Festive

ROB L. WAGNER: If you’re subtle you can enjoy a surprisingly festive Christmas in the Kingdom. Many Saudis also quietly acknowledge Christian friends’ celebration.

 Rob L. Wagner

The Powerful, Deep Hold of Black Magic Across the Islamic World

The Powerful, Deep Hold of Black Magic Across the Islamic World

ROB L. WAGNER: A recent ruling by the Shoura Council in Saudi Arabia has brought the issue of black magic to the fore again. Its influence is huge.

 Crossroads Arabia

Why Saudi Young Women, Sorry, Girls Run Away

Why Saudi Young Women, Sorry, Girls Run Away

CROSSROADS ARABIA: Why do you think 24 year old women might want to leave home? A new report does not provide much enlightenment…

 Steve Royston

Sharp Divides Emerge over Saudi Reforms

Sharp Divides Emerge over Saudi Reforms

STEVE ROYSTON: It’s not easy for a nation to move from a state where all things flow from the King to one where a country’s wealth belongs to its citizens.

 Rob L. Wagner

Riyadh Book Fair Debacle is Nothing More Than Theater

Riyadh Book Fair Debacle is Nothing More Than Theater

ROB L. WAGNER: Religious conservatives’ disruptive behavior at the Riyadh Book Fair illustrates the Saudi government’s acceptance of intolerance as long as it doesn’t interfere with its push to modernize the country.

 Rob L. Wagner

The Reasons Why Saudi Arabia Will Not Fall

The Reasons Why Saudi Arabia Will Not Fall

ROB L. WAGNER: Western analysts are engaging in wishful thinking that Saudi Arabia is ripe for a revolution. The Kingdom is no Egypt or Tunisia.

 American Bedu

Saudis Will Resist Women Drivers, Legal or Not

Saudis Will Resist Women Drivers, Legal or Not

CAROL FLEMING: The movement to allow women to drive in Saudi appears irresistible. There’s lots to be done, however, to improve male attitudes.

 Steve Royston

After Tunisia: Choosing the Society We Want

After Tunisia: Choosing the Society We Want

STEVE ROYSTON: It’s about building societies in which people are not afraid to think for themselves, and are free to express themselves without fear of censorship or persecution…

 American Bedu

Talk but Any Progress on Horizon for Saudi Women?

Talk but Any Progress on Horizon for Saudi Women?

AMERICAN BEDU: A forum held recently in Jeddah addressed issues of real concern to Saudi women. But will anything concrete come from the ‘talk fest’?