‘Imams, Stay Out of Politics!’: New Saudi Edict
CROSSROADS ARABIA: An interesting development in the separation of state and religion in Saudi Arabia has just occurred.
Social Media Defeating Saudi ‘War on Pornography’
CROSSROADS ARABIA: The authorities in the Kingdom admit that they’re fighting a losing battle to stem a flood of pornography
Saudi Film To Win An Oscar? ‘No Thank You!’
CROSSROADS ARABIA: The Saudi made film Wajda has been nominated in the Best Foreign Film category for the Oscars. But the country doesn’t even have a cinema!
Therapeutic Value of Insults: Getting It Off Your Chest
CROSSROADS ARABIA: French judges could be showing all of us the way forward in dealing with the petty frustrations of daily life
Accept It: The Arabic Language Is Bound To Change
CROSSROADS ARABIA: Complaining about the changes that affect language is as pointless as complaining about the time the sun rises. It’s ultimately pointless.
Strike: Pressure on Saudi Expat Workers Telling
CROSSROADS ARABIA: A substantial number of expat workers went on strike in Riyadh this week. It’s indicative of larger issues beneath the surface
“We Pray That You Die”: Saudi Clerics On Attack
CROSSROADS ARABIA: Some clerics have taken it upon themselves to invoke the power of prayer to invite not just professional failure but for the demise of individuals
2012: The Year of the Inane Political Fatwa
CROSSROADS ARABIA: They came thick and fast throughout the last year. Many of them, though, just serve to devalue the meaning of a religious edict
‘Conscription’: Is It Really the Answer to Saudi Job Woes?
CROSSROADS ARABIA: A novel approach to solving Saudi Arabia’s ‘national employment’ issue has been suggested by a writer on an Arabic daily
Saudi Media’s ‘Lack of Enthusiasm’ on Egypt Reporting
CROSSROADS ARABIA: While they could hardly not report on it, I sense a lack of enthusiasm in Saudi media’s reporting on the clash between Egyptian President Morsi and the Egyptian judiciary.
Saudi Conservatives ‘Froth’ At Female College Visit
AHMED AL OMRAN: It seems to have become a regular stop for foreign dignitaries visiting the Kingdom. But that hasn’t stopped conservatives offence-ometer going off the scale
Cool Thinking Not Grandstanding Needed in Bahrain Now
STEVE ROYSTON: The problems facing Bahrain are formidable and the tension is increasing as Ashoura approaches. Some thoughts on how to deal with these issues.
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.
Saudi Progress: With Giant Strides and Baby Steps
CROSSROADS ARABIA: Yet another significant bridgehead has been secured – 30 women will be appointed to the Shoura Council
Saudis’ Water Consumption ‘Unsustainable’
CROSSROADS ARABIA: Advances in solar power and nuclear plants will help Saudis address their energy issues but water consumption is a major issue.
‘Khalas’: Saudis Halt Unemployment Scheme
CROSSROADS ARABIA: The Saudi authorities appear to have shut down the Hafiz programme launched with much fanfare last November
Progress or Not? The ‘Digital Eid’ Has Arrived
CROSSROADS ARABIA: It seems that no element of life is safe from the encroachment of social media – not even sacred Eid customs
Defamation Case Awaits Shahrkani Hate Tweeters
CROSSROADS ARABIA: Her father ought not have a hard time winning cases against those posting false and defamatory information on Facebook and Twitter.
Saudi Tastes Sweet Success at the Olympics
CROSSROADS ARABIA: Congratulations to the Saudi Equestrian team for winning a bronze medal at the London Olympics….
Wojdan’s ’90 Second Olympics’: A Game Changer
CROSSROADS ARABIA: Media reaction to Saudi women’s participation in the Olympics has been mixed but it’s marked a clear watershed.
