Astonishing changes in Saudi Arabia as women come into public sphere

Just in the last few months, astonishing changes have been occurring in Saudi Arabia. The hated religious police have had their powers taken away, and men and women have started mixing in public. Of course the ban on women driving has been lifted, but more revolutionary still, there have been concerts (!!!) in Riyadh in the last few months. There was even a Comic-Con in Saudi Arabia, with young women in attendance not wearing burkas but in cosplay outfits!! These things would have been unthinkable even a year ago.

The driving force behind this is MBS, Mohammed bin Salman. He's the Crown Prince and might well go on to be the greatest ruler in Saudi history if he's not assassinated by al-Qaeda or overthrown by conservative elements. These are indeed interesting times for the desert kingdom. We live in hope.

[video="youtube;NG8n4hbDvFQ"]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NG8n4hbDvFQ[/video]

Reply 1

AlexanderHam

OP

19

A few pics from Saudi Comic Con

Reply 2

Guru Jason

21

The fact they have their own comic con is quite cool.

Reply 3

TaintedLight

20

Wow that's some progressive change. Hope he sticks around

Reply 4

The Epicurean

17

Original post by AlexanderHam

He's the Crown Prince and might well go on to be the greatest ruler in Saudi history

History may not judge him so well. He has played a major role in the war in Yemen which has already tainted his image.

We must also always be cautious about change in Saudi Arabia. If change is brought about too fast, backlash can occur. Much progression took place under King Faisal. Not only was he assassinated, but his reign was followed by the seizure of Mecca by a Salafi militia group which alongside the Iranian revolution, helped drag Saudi Arabia back decades, if not centuries.

That said, Saudi Arabia surprisingly does have a stronger liberal foundation that many realise. The Free Princes Movement for example a liberal political movement in Saudi Arabia during the late 50's and early 60's. Leading members of this group are still alive and are still openly critical of Saudi Arabia and can be found voicing their support for reform within Saudi society

Reply 5

SCIENCE :D

18

This is brilliant news.

Reply 6

Napp

22

I'm not entirely sure a couple of token gestures to women really make up for the fact he's looking to be the biggest despot since Ibn Saud.

Reply 7

Ninja Squirrel

20

Original post by AlexanderHam

Just in the last few months, astonishing changes have been occurring in Saudi Arabia. The hated religious police have had their powers taken away, and men and women have started mixing in public. Of course the ban on women driving has been lifted, but more revolutionary still, there have been concerts (!!!) in Riyadh in the last few months. There was even a Comic-Con in Saudi Arabia, with young women in attendance not wearing burkas but in cosplay outfits!! These things would have been unthinkable even a year ago.

The driving force behind this is MBS, Mohammed bin Salman. He's the Crown Prince and might well go on to be the greatest ruler in Saudi history if he's not assassinated by al-Qaeda or overthrown by conservative elements. These are indeed interesting times for the desert kingdom. We live in hope.

[video="youtube;NG8n4hbDvFQ"]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NG8n4hbDvFQ[/video]

I'm not sure if it was you or another poster who was pretty pessimistic about the future of Saudi Arabia and I said it's only a matter of time until things change, we just have to be patient and allow them to figure it all out on their own, which they're now doing.

Obviously it's frustrating to see human rights abuses going on and old school style laws and women not being given their rights etc but when we try to force a country to change it will only go badly, we have to step aside and allow them to go through the natural changes that every country inevitably goes through.

Now it's finally happening to Saudi Arabia with a number of positive changes. Will they suddenly allow gay marriages, homosexuality, pornography or insulting Islam, no probably not for many many years to come but again it takes time.