Since his appointment as crown prince in 2017, Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) has spearheaded a comprehensive reform agenda framed by Vision 2030, aiming to modernize Saudi Arabia and shift it away from decades of rigid conservatism and strict Wahhabi religious influence.

A key social reform under MBS’s governance has been the significant curtailing of the religious police’s authority, formally known as the Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice.

This move reduced the sway of the Wahhabi clergy and marked a clear step towards moderating the kingdom’s once uncompromising religious enforcement, signaling a state-sanctioned move toward a more moderate interpretation of Islam.

MBS’s reforms have notably advanced women’s rights, overturning long-standing restrictions that limited their freedom.

Women were granted the right to drive—a historic change widely covered globally—and enabled to travel, perform pilgrimage (Hajj and Umrah), and manage businesses without requiring male guardian approval.

These policy shifts align with efforts to increase women’s workforce participation, now exceeding 30%, and open leadership roles to women, reflecting a broad socio-economic inclusion agenda that challenges Western stereotypes of Saudi gender norms.

Economic reform is central to Vision 2030’s objective to diversify the oil-dependent economy.

Under MBS, Saudi Arabia has invested heavily in new sectors including technology, entertainment, tourism, clean energy, and culture.

Initiatives like Riyadh Season, featuring international concerts, exhibitions, and sports events, showcase a vibrant cultural opening unprecedented in the kingdom’s recent history.

Mega-projects such as Neom, a planned $500 billion futuristic city, symbolize Saudi Arabia’s ambition to become a global innovation hub and diversify its economic base sustainably.

However, it is important to note that political freedoms remain limited.

Since his appointment as crown prince in 2017, Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) has spearheaded a comprehensive reform agenda framed by Vision 2030, aiming to modernize Saudi Arabia and shift it away from decades of rigid conservatism and strict Wahhabi religious influence.

Title:

Content: The square project.
A new step by bin Salman for “changing identity ”? | Politics and economics | In-depth analysis with a broader perspective than DW | DW | 12.03.2023
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The square project.
A new step by bin Salman to “change identity ”?
Is Saudi Arabia moving towards more identity modernization?
A new project in the capital Riyadh mimics the shape of the Kaaba, in a context that is witnessing a shift from the Saudi leadership towards easing the historical and religious dimension.
The giant cube in the middle of the new square project has nothing to do with the Kaaba in Mecca, although there is a similarity in the geometry.
A huge project announced by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman under the name of "Square Project" in the capital Riyadh, with a width, height and length of 400 meters, which will be in the center of Riyadh, with the aim of developing the largest "Downtown", where the Saudi leadership plans to be the largest city center in the world.
The project includes "an innovative museum, a university specializing in technology and design, a multi-use theater and areas for live and entertainment shows," the Saudi Press Agency announced a few days ago, and is scheduled to be completed in 2030.
The project resembles the Kaaba in its geometric form, which has left a great controversy on social media sites.
Bruno Schmidt Fuerherd, a political analyst from Cambridge University, told DW that “in the Saudi public sphere, religion is increasingly being replaced by culture, ” denying that cube-shaped architecture is something specific to the Kaaba.
Change Date of Incorporation
This new square is not the only change in Saudi Arabia; it has been preceded by other steps that confirm a trend towards modernizing the country.
For the first time, the anniversary of the founding of the Saudi state was celebrated last year, and the occasion was designated on February 22 of each year, known as "Foundation Day", in addition to the Saudi National Day celebrated on September 23 of each year, and dates back to the occasion of the unification of Saudi Arabia in 1932.
The most important thing in establishing the "Foundation Day" is to change the date of the founding of the country from 1744 to 1727.
The year 1744 is linked to the agreement between the ruling Al Saud family and the cleric Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab, the leader of the so-called Wahhabi Islam, who remained in control of Saudi Arabia for decades.
The agreement includes Abdul Wahab's support for the House of Saud in power, from a religious point of view, while the ruling family financially supports the Wahhabi family and allows it to have authority over education and public morals, and even laws were the same Wahhabi.
In 1727, it is related to the rise to power of Mohammed bin Saud as the founder of the first Saudi state, after his control of the Emirate of Diriyah north of Riyadh.
“The new interpretation of the birth of the state clearly underestimates the role of religion, ” says Schmidt Feuerhard, highlighting that“ the goal is a national campaign to celebrate non-religious holidays. ”
Earlier this month, Saudi Arabia declared Flag Day, a day officially celebrated for the first time on March 11, 2023, which dates back to the day the current Saudi flag was approved by King Abdulaziz.
The royal decree referred to the Testimony of Tawhid as symbolizing "the message of peace and Islam" while the sword symbolizes "strength, nobility, wisdom and prestige".
The Saudi Ministry of Islamic Affairs also announced major changes to the rules of the month of Ramadan, including urging not to bring children to mosques, prohibiting collection of donations inside mosques, not to be absent from work except for the utmost necessity, taking into account the conditions of people in Taraweeh prayers and supplications, and prohibiting the use of cameras in mosques.
Change in a general context
These changes have generally been accepted by a large number of Saudis, and Schmidt Fuerherd points to several explanations for the phenomenon, including sending tens of thousands of Saudis abroad with full government funding, that have made them receptive to these cultural changes in the country.
Education and job creation for Saudi youth have also become priorities for the kingdom, a key part of Vision 2030, announced by the crown prince during his rise in politics, since he was crown prince ’ s deputy.
Since 2016, Mohammed bin Salman has announced a series of decisions to change the face of the conservative kingdom.
This included diversifying the economy by not making it focused on oil, modernizing the country ’ s infrastructure, creating a recreational policy that allowed the establishment of music festivals and the opening of cinemas, and the largest beneficiaries are the women of the Kingdom, which eased restrictions on them, including allowing driving and Hajj and Umrah without a mahram, and mixing became normal, as well as abolishing the Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice.
Mohammed bin Salman wants to modernize Saudi society without guaranteeing political freedoms
Freedom is not guaranteed!
Activist Loujain al-Hathloul spent three years in prison for defending women ’ s rights. Last year, 34-year-old Salma al-Shehab was sentenced to 34 years in prison for liking or tweeting about human rights in the kingdom. Noura bint Saeed al-Qahtani was sentenced to 45 years in prison. For the same reason.
“While there are more social freedoms, the state wants to remain the owner of change. ”
Schmidt Feuerherd says, “So any form of political activity is thwarted, and critics and opponents are portrayed as traitors to the nation. ”
Jennifer Hollis / EG

How has the role of the Committee for the Promotion of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice changed under Muhammad bin Salman?

No longer acts as the de facto religious police.

What are the main goals of the 2016- launched Vision 2030?

What has MBS done since becoming Crown Prince in Saudi Arabia?

What is one of the first priorities of Vision 2030 regarding ideological extremism?

Combating extremist and ideological thinking

A key social reform under MBS’s governance has been the significant curtailing of the religious police’s authority, formally known as the Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice.

Title:

Content: His Highness the Crown Prince
Since assuming the crown prince nearly seven years ago, many observers have seen that Prince Mohammed bin Salman will radically change traditional concepts locally, rehabilitate institutions and structure, fight corruption, and reconsider the kingdom ’ s relations with the world.
He outlined his strategic ideas in the ambitious Vision 2030.
This sudden change in the Saudi system of government has left many Western followers - so-called allies and friends - confused, and tried their best to approach it and learn about its methodology in managing the country politically, economically, socially and culturally.
What struck them was that it began with the big heads around which there were many charges of corruption and abuse of influence for the purposes of illicit enrichment, including members of the royal family.
He wanted to tell the world that the Kingdom is not an open house for looters, exploiters and reputational abusers; rather, guards who are keen on its security, stability, independence and cultural and religious specificity, do not accept compromise on its interests and principles, and do not accept any dictates or interference in its internal affairs under various pretexts.
“We are not a banana republic, ” Mohammed bin Salman told them, and those who want to deal with us have to deal with fairness, equality and mutual respect; otherwise, there are many alternatives and options in this world.
Like all the changes, Prince Mohammed has faced resistance from the forces of reverse tension and currents driven by external agendas and suggestions, as well as obstacles as a result of the fatal mistakes of some intruders, in addition to the war in Yemen, and from forces that believe that their political system and values are the highest; at a time when we see them suffer dozens of consequences in dealing with political and humanitarian issues when it comes to Arab and Islamic peoples.
The years that followed Prince Mohammed bin Salman ’ s accession to the throne were difficult and full of challenges and mines from regional, “friend ” and“ ally ” powers, but they were also years of steadfastness and victory. Despite the attempts to obscure the world scene, the prince ’ s glamour returned to shine in the wake of the Ukrainian crisis and its aftermath. Many observers saw it as a prelude to U.S. President Joe Biden ’ s visit to the kingdom next month.
An old proverb says, “If the elders come, preach the shadow, ” and it was the clearest example of this round that resolved outstanding differences and laid new foundations for cooperative relations in many fields.
Although Egypt is heavily indebted (about $350 billion), the Kingdom has not stopped extending its hand; the agreements amounted to nearly $8 billion in joint economic and investment projects, in addition to a financial deposit of billions.
As for Jordan, there is no doubt that the relations between the two brotherly countries went through stages of agreement in some issues and divergence in other issues, and during the visit the two parties put an end to all the confusion, and a clear agreement on the overall issues.
It is certain that the Kingdom, which extends a helping hand to many countries of the world, will not spare Jordan ’ s help; human relations and common ties must be strengthened, upgraded and preserved, as reflected in the tradition of King Abdullah II to His Highness the highest Jordanian medal, and in the warm embrace of His Highness the Crown Prince.
His visit to Turkey has been described as "unprecedented", as His Highness received the welcome and hospitality he deserves, which he has earned, and restored relations with Turkey to the previous one, after the differences have become a thing of the past.
"Turkey and Saudi Arabia confirm their intention to launch a new era of cooperation in bilateral relations, including political, economic, military and security," the statement said, stressing that "we intend to continue and develop cooperation on the basis of historical brotherhood to serve the future of the region."
There is no doubt that the strengthening of strategic relations serves the interests of the two brotherly countries, Turkey is a strong and reliable friend and its leadership positions are distinct; despite its membership in NATO, it is a "feisty" country and rejects the herd policy, and has proved this in diversifying its sources of weapons despite the anger of the US administration, and sided with Azerbaijan in its war against Ukraine. The United States withdrew its Patriot missiles.
In the talks with the leaders of the three countries, His Highness stressed the Kingdom's constants, especially with regard to the Palestinian issue and the rights of the Palestinian people, a position that the Kingdom will not compromise on in the upcoming talks with the American side.
The visit of His Highness the Crown Prince to Turkey aroused the anger of many parties, and during the reception ceremony of His Highness in the countries he visited, he drew the attention of everyone that His Highness broke the protocol of bow to the guard of honor, and replaced it with the greeting of Islam "Peace be upon you".
Muhammad bin Salman does not bow to anyone except Allah and then to the father of the people, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdul Aziz, so his lovers said.
O son of Salman and Abu Salman..
You're the boobs?
You are the glory, the glory and the future, and you will not fail us, and we are the pledge of loyalty to you and God with you.
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How has the role of the Committee for the Promotion of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice changed under Muhammad bin Salman?

Has been reduced to morality awareness campaigns and COVID-19 efforts.

No longer acts as the de facto religious police.

What are some of the key goals of Vision 2030 for society and economy?

allow recreational activities; Saudi women benefit from relaxed restrictions

What has MBS done since becoming Crown Prince in Saudi Arabia?

This move reduced the sway of the Wahhabi clergy and marked a clear step towards moderating the kingdom’s once uncompromising religious enforcement, signaling a state-sanctioned move toward a more moderate interpretation of Islam.

Title:

Content: Moderate ideology: The silent Saudi revolution

Sports events, movie screenings, art exhibitions and music concerts are becoming increasingly common in the kingdom, and Saudi citizens are lapping them all up.

Published: 25th July 2023 12:34 AM  |   Last Updated: 25th July 2023 12:45 AM   |  A+A-

It has been ‘work in progress’ for some time now. Saudi Arabia is changing the tone and texture of its ideology from what has always been considered obscurantist to something that keeps with the times. Sports events, movie screenings, art exhibitions and music concerts are becoming increasingly common in the kingdom, and Saudi citizens are lapping them all up.

The kingdom has rapidly secured its position as a centre for cultural events, art exhibitions and film screenings. The nation’s Vision 2030 envisages and fully supports the expansion of the entertainment market to SR30 billion. Almost every domain of entertainment for which Saudi citizens earlier travelled far and wide is now available at home. This is thanks to a break from the past that the de facto ruler, Mohammad bin Salman (MbS), the Crown Prince, has initiated. It makes eminent sense in a nation seeking to develop itself beyond the energy sector with three visionary themes: a vibrant society, a thriving economy and continuity in terms of ambition in comprehensive development.

All this translates into a modern civilisational outlook with technology, intellectualism, private investment, trade, tourism, academics and more, all becoming the prime domains of functioning. The traditional worldwide perception of Saudi Arabia as the centre of the obscurantist ideology of Islam and a nation with an anti-reformist outlook has persisted, and not without reason. A brief understanding of this is important to appreciate the degree of change that Prince MbS has been able to generate.

As the custodian of the Holy Shrines of Mecca and Medina and the land where Islam’s first message was delivered, the Saudi rulers and clergy have always been all-powerful, even more so after adopting the core ideology expounded by Saudi thinker Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab. There is a long history behind this.

A virtual pact between the powerful clergy and the Royal Family has existed to promote the Wahhabi ideology in return for the powers that the Royals enjoyed. The pact saw enhanced clergy power after 1979 when the Shia Revolution occurred in Iran, the Saudi Ikhwan attempted a takeover of the Holy Shrine at Mecca, and the Soviets invaded Afghanistan. Wahhabi ideology was about going back to the basics and making the faith much less tolerant by supporting ‘Takfir’, or the power of declaration of a believer as an apostate if Wahhabi tenets are not adhered to. The militant part of the ideology started to come to the fore after 1979. From segments of the Arab world to Afghanistan, Pakistan, parts of India, Indonesia, Philippines and other Southeast Asian nations, militancy promoting the Saudi brand flourished, giving rise to the notion of a clash of civilisations.

Saudi Arabia’s energy resources always dictated US policy. A grey zone existed here with simultaneous US support to Israel and Saudi Arabia, stacked primarily against Iran and the collective Arab will against Israel. A couple of factors brought the trigger for change. Among them were the discovery of shale gas in the US and the progressive decline in US dependency on Saudi energy resources. Second was the dwindling Saudi economy and the realisation that in an energy-based economy, without expansion into other domains of economic development, such as trade, technology, tourism, investments, entertainment and intellectual research, Saudi Arabia would waste its opportunities and resources. The tremendous advantage of being the centre of the Islamic world could give it enduring leadership status if it could neutralise the rising militancy within Islam. Nations all around, such as the UAE, had fully utilised their possessions and drawn major economic attraction due to pragmatism followed in all domains, including faith issues. The position of women in Saudi society, in particular, had a damning effect on the nation.

Nothing changes without a leader and a vision. Saudi Arabia was fortunate to get MbS, although his personal equation with the US has remained strained for various reasons, not the least being the Khashoggi factor. However, none of that has affected his intent of modernising the nation and for that, a more moderate form of Islam within the kingdom is necessary. To his credit, he has convinced the clergy of the need to follow his vision, which will also project Islam differently to many others who follow the Saudi guidelines on faith.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdul Karim Al-Issa, from Saudi Arabia, who recently visited New Delhi for six days, is the Secretary General of the Muslim World League. The organisation was once at the forefront of promoting obscurantist ideology but is now transformed, as is evident from Sheikh al Issa’s message in New Delhi. The Sheikh’s belief which he transparently shared is that a whole generation of Muslims has grown up with an ideology that has given them a negative view of other faiths and an intolerantly sectarian understanding of their own.

In his several meetings with intellectuals, leaders and clergy from diverse faiths in India, he emphasised the role of the clergy in any faith. He admitted that Islam had earned a bad name for itself due to the acts of a few and the refusal of the followers to condemn those acts. He spoke of the role of family and education and decried religious teachers’ unsupervised education of young Muslim children. He mentioned that when intolerance and militancy were rising, people feared confronting them. His most poignant argument was that such obscurantism and militancy cannot be eliminated in the typical military way; they have to be removed from the roots by narratives stronger than the ones expounded.

Sheikh Al-Issa’s visit to India was symbolic of what appears to be the fading of the intolerant and militant element of Islam, but we cannot read too much into this. That change is taking place at the ideological centre is positive, but there is no guarantee of permanency. It is also not necessary that the message from Saudi Arabia is gelling with the vast Muslim populations worldwide. These populations are enmeshed with their local cultures and unlikely to follow examples. What is true is that a message supporting reformation has emanated from the nation considered the custodian of the shrines and, by many, of the faith. Nurturing this and taking it beyond is now the challenge.

Lt Gen Syed Ata Hasnain (Retd)

Former Commander, Srinagar-based 15 Corps. Now Chancellor, Central University of Kashmir

(atahasnain@gmail.com)

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How has the role of the Committee for the Promotion of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice changed under Muhammad bin Salman?

Has been reduced to morality awareness campaigns and COVID-19 efforts.

No longer acts as the de facto religious police.

What has MBS done since becoming Crown Prince in Saudi Arabia?

What is one of the first priorities of Vision 2030 regarding ideological extremism?

Combating extremist and ideological thinking

MBS’s reforms have notably advanced women’s rights, overturning long-standing restrictions that limited their freedom.

Title:

Content: Saudi King appoints Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman as prime minister
Saudi Arabia ’ s King Salman bin Abdulaziz issued three royal orders on Tuesday, including appointing Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman as prime minister in his place, and making a cabinet reshuffle that kept the foreign and oil ministers in their posts.
Announcement
Saudi Arabia ’ s King Salman bin Abdulaziz has appointed his son Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the de facto ruler of the oil-rich kingdom, as prime minister in his place, a royal order said Tuesday evening.
The royal order, published by the state-run Saudi Press Agency, stipulated that "the cabinet sessions we attend shall be chaired by us," meaning that the octogenarian king will preside over the sessions in which he participates despite the appointment of his young son, 37, to his post.
The king of Saudi Arabia is usually prime minister and will remain in office until his death.
The royal orders also included the appointment of Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdul Aziz as defense minister after he was deputy minister.
He has been defense minister since the beginning of 2014.
According to the official Saudi Press Agency, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman retained the post of energy minister, Prince Faisal bin Farhan as foreign minister, Mohammed al-Jadaan as finance minister and Khalid al-Falih as investment minister.
The kingdom has for years sought to refute speculation about the health of the 86-year-old king, who has ruled the world's top oil exporter since 2015.
In 2017, it denied reports and speculation that the king was planning to abdicate in favor of his son.
King Salman has been hospitalized twice so far this year, most recently for a week in May, according to state media.
The Saudi monarch was expected to keep his country on a steady conservative path when he came to power, but instead made a big difference in the kingdom and opened the door to power to a younger generation of the House of Saud family.
Fortify his position.
The crown prince, on the other hand, is leading his conservative kingdom with ambitious radical reforms and accelerated social changes that began with his ascension to the leadership ladder five years ago.
But at the same time, he has fortified his position as a de facto and future ruler by silencing all dissent.
The changes included granting women the right to drive, opening cinemas, welcoming foreign tourists, limiting the authority of the Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice and hosting pop stars, heavyweight duels and other sporting events.
In parallel, he has jailed his critics and in a widespread purge of the country ’ s political and economic elite, arrested around 200 princes and businessmen at Riyadh ’ s Ritz-Carlton Hotel in a 2017 anti-corruption crackdown that has helped tighten his grip on power.
After a quick jump to the top, the brutal murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi at his country ’ s consulate in Istanbul in 2018 cast a shadow over the career of Mohammed bin Salman, who had been crown prince for a year.
Opening the doors again.
US President Joe Biden ’ s visit in July, after he had pledged during his election campaign to treat the kingdom as a “pariah state ” over its human rights record and Khashoggi ’ s killing, appeared to have reopened the outer doors for the young ruler.
The sharp rise in energy prices triggered by the Russian invasion of Ukraine has spurred a number of Western leaders to travel to the kingdom to appeal for increased production.
Among his major projects as he seeks to diversify the kingdom ’ s oil-based economy are the construction of the futuristic mega-city of Neom at a cost of $500 billion and the economic diversification plan “Vision 2023 ”.
It also seeks to establish its position as a powerful regional power, and has been the driving force behind Saudi Arabia ’ s military intervention in Yemen, the Arabian Peninsula ’ s poorest country, to support government forces against the Iran-backed Houthis.
France 24 / AFP
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How has Saudi Arabia empowered women and increased their labor market participation under Vision 2030?

By removing restrictions on freedom of movement

How has Vision 2030 affected women's rights and workforce participation?

gender equality
Strengthened women's rights

What are some of the key goals of Vision 2030 for society and economy?

allow recreational activities; Saudi women benefit from relaxed restrictions

What has MBS done since becoming Crown Prince in Saudi Arabia?

What new permissions have Saudi women gained under Mohammed bin Salman's rule?

Women were granted the right to drive—a historic change widely covered globally—and enabled to travel, perform pilgrimage (Hajj and Umrah), and manage businesses without requiring male guardian approval.

Title:

Content: Saudi National Day: kingdom's women celebrate drive towards equal opportunity

Female executives cite "progressive leadership" for their achievements

Beta V.1.0 - Powered by automated translation

As they prepare for the 92nd Saudi National Day on Friday, Saudi women are celebrating the nation's progress and their rise to leadership positions across different sectors.

Saudi women have always coveted more visible and pertinent roles in society, and the kingdom's Vision 2030 is the catalyst that has made them possible.

Saudi Arabia had developed a diversified economy thanks to its “progressive leadership”, Dr Manar Al Moneef, Chief Investment Officer at the kingdom's $500 billion city of the future Neom, told The National.

“We are proud of the incredible accomplishments that have ignited the pride of our people all over the kingdom and we continue to strive for greatness,” she says.

“Neom will continue to be a powerful enabler” of the Saudi Vision 2030, she said.

Dr Manar believes Saudi Arabia is committed to women’s empowerment and has enabled women to obtain the “highest levels” of education and encouraged them to participate in various aspects of “economic, political, and social life”.

“As part of Vision 2030, I am grateful for the major reforms and the continuation of the leadership’s efforts to empower women to occupy leadership positions in various sectors.”

She said Neom’s approach is no different, “we are committed” to creating a working environment that supports, develops, and promotes equality and diversity”.

Vision 2030 aims to boost female participation in the workforce to 30 per cent by 2030.

Saudi women make up more than a third of the country's workforce, statistics released in March this year by the General Authority for Statistics show, a 17.4 per cent increase from five years ago.

Also, the female unemployment rate fell to its lowest level in 20 years in the first quarter of 2022.

Many female leaders attribute this achievement to the kingdom's ambitious programme to completely reshape its economy into one that is self-sufficient, progressive and diversified.

Saudi women have always demonstrated resolve and “Vision 2030 catalysed this determination into action”, said Dr May Taibah, board member and corporate financial controller at the Community Jameel Saudi Foundation.

She has been working in social enterprise for more than a decade, most recently with Bab Rizq Jameel Services and Nafisa Shams Academy for Arts and Crafts.

Vision 2030 caters to the diverse needs of Saudi Arabia’s citizens, as it enables every member of society, “especially women,” to be veritable contributors to the country’s socio-economic growth, she said.

“This gives me a front-row seat to witness first-hand the impact of collaboration between the public, private, and governmental sectors in fuelling human capability,” she told The National. “It is truly inspirational what can be achieved through the right support framework.”

In the first quarter of 2022, the percentage of women in middle management and senior positions rose from 28.6 per cent compared with 39 per cent in first quarter of 2017, the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development said.

However, the exponential value added by the growth of the female workforce in the kingdom was not limited to statistics and numbers, said Deema Al Bashrawi, Head of Operations at Tanmiah, a manufacturer and distributor of food and agricultural products.

She attributed her professional success to a culmination of factors including the strength of the kingdom’s educational framework, which enabled her to earn a degree in economics, and the support of her family.

She added that “Tanmiah continues to support my sustained growth” since she joined in 2012 as a manager.

“Today, I look forward to continuing to serve my country, customers, partners, and investors as we continue to support the achievement of Saudi Arabia’s goals towards improving food security, reducing waste, and achieving self-sufficiency,” Ms Al Bashrawi said.

Dr Taibah believes that an entrepreneurial mindset is vital to prosperity and extends beyond entrepreneurship.

“The value extends beyond that, to the personal stories of lives, businesses and industries transformed through supportive socio-economic empowerment across the entire framework,” she told The National.

The World Bank’s Women, Business and Law report for 2020 and 2021 found that Saudi Arabia was among the top countries when it came to implementing reforms and rights related to women.

“Vision 2030 was developed to extend equal support, whether a person is a craft worker, start-up CEO or employee,” Dr Tabiah said.

The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development introduced policies that promote inclusivity, and diversity in the labour market.

These were “to enhance the positive image of women in the workplace, and to create a supportive and inclusive environment to facilitate women’s entry into the labour market”, a ministry representative said earlier this year.

“Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has been a champion for women's progress and has helped empower women in the labour market by giving us ease of running businesses and authority which does not require a man,” said Ghalia Abdul, who runs a retail store in Jeddah.

Women's right to drive, travel and run their own businesses had helped her to hire more female workers in the last four years, Ms Abdul said.

The Arab Institute for Women’s Empowerment has said that investing in targeted training for Saudi women would have a return on investment of $400 billion by 2030.

“Most young Saudis have an entrepreneurial spirit and the new changes have helped people like me not just run my own business, but also contribute to the economy and create jobs for women,” Ms Abdul added.

Updated: September 22, 2022, 5:15 AM
EDITOR'S PICKS
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How has Saudi Arabia empowered women and increased their labor market participation under Vision 2030?

By removing restrictions on freedom of movement

How has Vision 2030 affected women's rights and workforce participation?

gender equality
Strengthened women's rights

What are some of the key goals of Vision 2030 for society and economy?

allow recreational activities; Saudi women benefit from relaxed restrictions

What has MBS done since becoming Crown Prince in Saudi Arabia?

What new permissions have Saudi women gained under Mohammed bin Salman's rule?

These policy shifts align with efforts to increase women’s workforce participation, now exceeding 30%, and open leadership roles to women, reflecting a broad socio-economic inclusion agenda that challenges Western stereotypes of Saudi gender norms.

Title:

Content: Vision 2030 creates a new reality
The security of the homeland and the safety of the Saudi people and their supreme interests are the priorities of Mohammed bin Salman.
Thursday 21st September 2023 9: 25 AM
Citizen - Editorial Team
His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, made headlines with Fox News, Arab and international newspapers, channels and websites.
Priorities of the Crown Prince
Observers confirm that the security of the homeland and the safety of the Saudi people and their higher interests, economic development and social welfare are among the priorities of the Crown Prince, who has always expressed this in fact rather than in words, which is clearly reflected by the advanced levels witnessed by the Kingdom in all fields.
Vision 2030 creates a new reality
The Crown Prince also believes in the essential role of the citizen in the implementation of Vision 2030, which created a new reality and achieved achievements that mimic the aspirations of the Saudi people in their security, economy, education, health, livelihood and social welfare.
Vision 2030 has also contributed to the promotion of citizenship rights, the value of individuals, gender equality and the empowerment of women, which are well established principles that contribute to Vision 2030, as evidenced by the increase in the percentage of Saudi ownership of housing and the increase of women ’ s participation in the workforce to 36% more than double what it was five years ago.
Elimination of extremism and corruption
The Kingdom ’ s success in eliminating extremism and corruption in record time reflects the steadfastness of political will and its full commitment in deterring threats and challenges that affect the security of the homeland and undermine its development.
The Crown Prince ’ s assertion that the Kingdom ’ s investment in sports is for the happiness of its people and not for the satisfaction of the world is an extension of its consistent approach to the sovereignty of its internal decisions and that it is built, takes into account and targets, first and foremost, the interests of the Saudi people.
The kingdom will remain steadfast in its principles.
The Crown Prince ’ s dialogue confirms that the Kingdom has been, remains and will remain steadfast on its principles, cherishing its values and preserving its religious constants, which was expressed by His Highness the Crown Prince through his emphasis on the religious specificity of the state, which makes it impossible to establish public houses of worship other than the Islamic religion.
The Kingdom also categorically rejects the imposition of any guardianship over its judicial system or the rulings of its courts, and just as it respects the jurisprudence of other countries, others must respect its jurisprudence.

How has Vision 2030 affected women's rights and workforce participation?

gender equality
Strengthened women's rights

What has MBS done since becoming Crown Prince in Saudi Arabia?

Economic reform is central to Vision 2030’s objective to diversify the oil-dependent economy.

Title:

Content: Riyadh Season 2022: Why did the new marketing announcement infuriate Saudi Tweeters?
A large number of social media pioneers have interacted with the announcement of the new Riyadh season published by the Chairman of the General Entertainment Authority Turki Al-Sheikh for this year.
The announcement shows sports and artistic symbols, including Real Madrid player Karim Benzema and Liverpool player Mohamed Salah, in addition to a number of Arab artists.
Tweeters criticized the absence of any Saudi artist in the ad, as well as resentment of the "huge amounts of advertising costs."
On the other hand, other Tweeters praised the announcement, noting their approval of the social, cultural and artistic changes witnessed by Saudi Arabia in the recent period.
Announcement Launch
The Chairman of the General Entertainment Authority, Turki Al-Sheikh, launched on Sunday through his Twitter account the official marketing announcement for the Riyadh 2022 season, which garnered more than 22 million views and interaction with thousands of Tweeters.
The Riyadh Season announcement video featured dazzling fireworks scenes and included a group of famous art and sports from around the world.
Among those who participated in the announcement are Egyptian football star and English club Liverpool Mohamed Salah, and Real Madrid star and recent Golden Ball winner Karim Benzema.
The announcement also featured Lebanese star Nancy Ajram and famous singer Majid al-Muhandis and artist Nadine Noujaim.
The video included scenes from the entertainment events of the third edition of the Riyadh season.
These events include games, restaurants, cafes, in addition to concerts, plays, and a number of international exhibitions in various entertainment fields.
Angry Tweeters
A number of Saudi Tweeters have expressed anger at the marketing announcement, criticizing several points in the ad.
Some saw it as "pointless and pointless extravagance".
Others questioned the “costs of such a huge announcement. ”
Others highlighted the lack of "Saudi art icons and celebrities" in the marketing advertisement for the Riyadh season.
Proponents of the Declaration
On the other hand, some tweets talked about "the great success achieved by the Riyadh season in its first and second editions technically and publicly, in addition to the great economic return."
This team predicted "the success of the new season like the last two seasons."
Others noted their fascination with the announcement, given the participation of Salah and Benzema in it.
Social and cultural transformation
In recent years, Saudi Arabia has witnessed a significant transformation in the cultural, artistic and social landscape.
This has sparked controversy among old-school conservatives and neo-reformists, who want a more open and modern Saudi Arabia than before.
There is a fierce debate within Saudi Arabia about whether Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the owner of Saudi Vision 2030, will be able to achieve his goals.
Vision 2030
• Among the goals of the plans revealed by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is to "modernize the economy and transform the country into a tourist and modern interface, in addition to transforming the economy away from oil, and open new tributaries of national income, depending on clean energy, tourism and entertainment."
• He also hopes to end the country ’ s dependence on oil by 2030, which will require radical changes to a bureaucracy that has thwarted previous reforms and a willingness to challenge the powerful religious conservatism.
• These plans also entail strengthening the role of the private sector, which currently depends on government spending.
• The vision is to try to develop and promote the country through a large plan that will work on comprehensive economic and social reform and work to develop it.
• It also includes the emergence of new industries by privatizing the Kingdom ’ s largest companies, providing job opportunities for young people to reduce unemployment, and establishing a strong investment fund comparable to the world ’ s largest.

What are some of the key goals of Vision 2030 for society and economy?

What are the main goals of the 2016- launched Vision 2030?

To diversify Saudi Arabia's economy
To lessen reliance on oil.

What has MBS done since becoming Crown Prince in Saudi Arabia?

Under MBS, Saudi Arabia has invested heavily in new sectors including technology, entertainment, tourism, clean energy, and culture.

How has Saudi Arabia diversified its economy under Vision 2030?

Growth in tourism
Growth in renewable energy
Growth in technology

To drive development in renewable energy

What are some of the key goals of Vision 2030 for society and economy?

What are the main goals of the 2016- launched Vision 2030?

To diversify Saudi Arabia's economy
To lessen reliance on oil.

What has MBS done since becoming Crown Prince in Saudi Arabia?

Initiatives like Riyadh Season, featuring international concerts, exhibitions, and sports events, showcase a vibrant cultural opening unprecedented in the kingdom’s recent history.

How has Saudi Arabia diversified its economy under Vision 2030?

What are some of the key goals of Vision 2030 for society and economy?

allow recreational activities; Saudi women benefit from relaxed restrictions

What has MBS done since becoming Crown Prince in Saudi Arabia?

Mega-projects such as Neom, a planned $500 billion futuristic city, symbolize Saudi Arabia’s ambition to become a global innovation hub and diversify its economic base sustainably.

How has Saudi Arabia diversified its economy under Vision 2030?

To reduce Saudi Arabia's oil dependence
To drive development in high-tech

What are some of the key goals of Vision 2030 for society and economy?

What are the main goals of the 2016- launched Vision 2030?

To diversify Saudi Arabia's economy
To lessen reliance on oil.

What has MBS done since becoming Crown Prince in Saudi Arabia?

However, it is important to note that political freedoms remain limited.

What internal changes has MBS implemented in Saudi Arabia?

Suppressed dissent--especially Islamist opposition