Saudi Arabia lurches away from social conservatism
RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA — One by one, many of the stringent social restrictions that have defined life in Saudi Arabia for decades are being abandoned. But things aren’t always what they seem.
At a time of unprecedented flux in the kingdom, a possibly deliberate lack of official clarity is sowing confusion among a population split between those for whom greater freedoms can’t come fast enough and more conser- been without controversy, the religious and cultural vative citizens alarmed at but the backlash from con- consequences. Then an offithe pace of change. servative circles has been cial rejected the idea in an
The latest example arrived muted — out of deference interview with the same on Tuesday, when the govto the kingdom’s rulers and network. The tweet was ernment said it would let also due to a climate of fear deleted. some stores and restaurants that grew as the governIf the change did happen, operate around the clock. ment cracked down polit- it would amount to another Even official denials failed ically, detaining dozens of substantial loosening of to stem speculation that the domestic critics. regulations since Crown measure means no more “Ambiguous statements Prince Mohammed bin Salmandatory closures during are not only a way to test man began an overhaul of prayer times. public opinion but also serve the economy to reduce its
Another change that may as a means to normalize and reliance on oil. In the past be in the cards is dropping introduce potential changes, two years, the government the requirement for women especially relating to social has lifted a ban on women to get permission from a issues that have been con- driving, allowed cinemas to male guardian to travel tested among Saudis for open and sponsored genabroad. A report in the years,” said Eman Alhus- der-mixed concerts in a Okaz newspaper that offi- sein, a Saudi visiting fellow country where music was cials were studying allowwith the European Council rarely heard in public. Now ing Saudis over 18 to jet off on Foreign Relations. there’s talk about relaxing without that consent didn’t The sense of bewilderthe male guardianship laws, specify whether the shift ment has even spread to or perhaps even allowing would apply to women — Saudi-owned media, usuthe sale of alcohol. but many jumped to interally reliable conduits for On We d nesday, busipret it that way. Two peogovernment decrees. Tele- nesses continued to shut ple familiar with the matter vision channel Al-Arabiya for their regular 30-minute said the policy may indeed initially interpreted Tuesprayer breaks, but the doors change soon, confirming day’s move to allow 24-hour of debate were wide open. reports by the Wall Street trading for some firms as “A decision was issued for Journal and the Financial meaning they could now shops to open 24 hours a Times. stay open during prayers, day and people lost it — ‘Oh
The ambiguity is typi- and it published a tweet it’s not permissible, woe on cal of the past few years to say so. us, we’ll die,’ ”Saudi social in the kingdom as officials Some Saudis rushed to media personality Saeed dance back and forth, per- celebrate, praising the ecoal-Shahrani said in a widely haps in an attempt to gauge nomic effects of the decision viewed video. “Our religion how much change is accept- and the personal freedom it is simple, don’t complicate able. The upheaval hasn’t gave them. Others lamented things for us.”