Australia exports camels to Saudi Arabia for the Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca due to disease, drought, and political strife in North Africa. Australia has a large population of wild camels causing damage estimated at A$10 million. In 2002, Australia began exporting camels to Saudi Arabia. Camels are particularly in demand during the Muslim pilgrimage to […]
In 2011, Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah granted women the right to vote in 2015, but they still face restrictions such as needing male permission to work and travel. Before this, Saudi Arabia was the only country besides Vatican City to not allow women to vote. In 2011, Abdullah, the then King of Saudi Arabia granted […]
Saudi Arabia now requires courts to send women a text message when their husbands are granted a divorce, ensuring they receive alimony and custody rights. The government has also eased custody laws and allowed women to drive, participate in sports, start businesses, and join the military. Imagine getting a divorce and not knowing it. Prior […]
Saudi Arabia is a large country in the Middle East, with a rich history dating back over 5,000 years. It is home to the two holiest cities in Islam, Mecca and Medina, and is the world’s largest exporter of oil. The country is a hereditary monarchy governed by Islamic law, with power still in the […]
The Empty Quarter, the largest unbroken stretch of sand in the world, covers 650,000 square kilometers across Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Oman, and the UAE. It has a hyper-arid climate with low biodiversity, but supports some life, including gazelles, oryx, sandcats, and spiny-tailed lizards. Beneath the dunes are vast oil reserves, and the area was less […]
Saudi Arabia has strict codes of behavior, including dress mandates and bans on pork and nutmeg due to its potential for hallucinations and fatal poisoning. Photography of certain buildings is illegal, cinemas were banned for 35 years, and Valentine’s Day is not celebrated. As a conservative Islamic country, Saudi Arabia is known for its strict […]
Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is lifting the ban on cinemas, as part of his Vision 2030 program to stimulate the economy and ease social restrictions. Films will be censored to respect Islamic laws and moral values. The traditional macho culture in Saudi Arabia seems to be changing, at least in some ways. […]
The hijab means “to cover” and refers to any style of head covering traditionally worn by Muslim women. The full niqab covers the face and eyes, while the half niqab leaves the eyes uncovered. The burqa and pak chador are alternative versions of the hijab worn in other Muslim countries. The niqab may not have […]
The Saudi abaya is a loose-fitting garment worn by women to cover their body from neck to ankle, required by law in public. It is part of a modest dress tradition and varies in style and color, with newer designs allowing for greater individuality. The Saudi abaya is a loose-fitting piece of women’s clothing that […]
