These proposed paragraphs aim to bring certain topics up to date in Saudi Arabia within the relevant sections. As outlined on the talk page, some of what's below - in particular on women - is taken from/builds on what's currently in the Recent political and economic changes section. In my view it would be better to have that information as far as possible in the relevant sections, and then to lose that section.
Possible additional sentences at the end of the current Women section:
In February 2017, Saudi Arabia appointed its first woman to head the Saudi Stock Exchange.[1] As of 2018, two women hold cabinet positions in the Saudi government: Dr Tamadur bint Youssef Al Ramah, who was appointed deputy labor minister that year; and Norah bint Abdallah Al Faiz, who became deputy minister of education in charge of women’s affairs in 2009.[2]
Then a possible additional subsection at the end of the Women section (as this section was originally):
Reforms edit
A number of reforms have aimed to improve the position of women in Saudi society.
On 25 September 2011, King Abdullah announced that Saudi women would gain the right to vote (and to be candidates) in municipal elections, provided that a male guardian grants permission.[3] Women were finally allowed to vote for the first time in December 2015, when 978 women also registered as the kingdom’s first female candidates.[4]
In 2013 a law was passed that criminalized domestic violence against women, carrying a 12-month jail sentence and fines of up to 50,000 riyals ($13,000).[5] This was followed in 2018 by law criminalizing sexual harassment.[6]
In December 2017 the country’s first ever concert by a female performer took place in Riyadh.[7] The following month Saudi women were allowed to enter sports stadiums for the first time.[8]
In March 2018 a law was passed allowing Saudi mothers to retain custody of their children after divorce without having to file any lawsuits.[9]
In June 2018, King Salman issued a decree allowing women to drive, lifting the world's only ban on women drivers.[10]
The Saudi Vision 2030 program includes a commitment to increase female participation in the workforce from 22% to 30% by 2030.[11] As of 2018 Saudi women can open their own businesses without a male's permission.[12] Also as of 2018 Saudi women can apply for work in the Public Prosecution Office and the General Directorate of Passports, and as notaries in the Ministry of Justice.[13][14][15] In February 2018 the first applications were opened for women to join the Saudi military.[16]
Possible new paragraphs for the end of the Tourism section:
Current projects include the Red Sea development, a luxury resort across 50 islands on the Red Sea coast; and the 334 sq km Al Qiddiya entertainment park, which will include a Six Flags theme park, water parks and motor sports. The first phases of both projects are due for completion in 2022.[17][18]
In Mecca, a $3.2 billion multi-use complex including hotels, restaurants and malls is being developed near the Grand Mosque to cater for Muslims making the Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages.[19]
Heritage sites in the northwestern Al-Ula region, including the Nabatean tombs of Mada’in Saleh, are due to receive tourists in 2022.[20]
Saudi Arabia began issuing tourist visas in April 2018. The kingdom aims to attract 30 million tourists annually by 2030.[21]
Possible new paragraphs for the end of the Arts and entertainment section:
In 2016, the General Entertainment Authority was formed to oversee the expansion of the Saudi entertainment sector.[22] The first concerts in Riyadh for 25 years took place the following year.[23] Other events since the GEA’s creation have included comedy shows, professional wrestling events and monster truck rallies.[24] In 2018 the first public cinema opened after a ban of 35 years, with plans to have more than 2,000 screens running by 2030.[25]
Developments in the arts in 2018 included Saudi Arabia’s debut appearances at the Cannes Film Festival and the Venice Biennale.[26][27]
Possible new paragraphs for the end of the Religion in society section:
In 2016 the Saudi government stripped the religious police of the power to pursue, arrest or detain members of the public.[28]
In 2017 Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman promised to return Saudi Arabia to the “moderate Islam” of the era before the 1979 Iranian revolution.[29] A new center, the King Salman Complex for the Prophet’s Hadith, was established that year to monitor interpretations of the Prophet Mohammed’s hadiths to prevent them being used to justify terrorism.[30]
In March 2018 the Crown Prince met the Archbishop of Canterbury during a visit to the UK, pledging to promote interfaith dialogue. In Riyadh the following month King Salman met the head of the Vatican’s Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue.[31]
- ^ "Saudi stock exchange appoints first female chair". Reuters. 26 February 2017. Retrieved 24 September 2018.
- ^ Day, Emma (27 February 2018). "Saudi Arabia just appointed a female deputy minister". Emirates Woman. Retrieved 24 September 2018.
- ^ "Women in Saudi Arabia to vote and run in elections". BBC. 25 September 2011. Retrieved 24 September 2018.
- ^ "Saudi Arabia's women vote in election for first time". BBC. 12 December 2015. Retrieved 24 September 2018.
- ^ Usher, Sebastian (28 August 2013). "Saudi Arabia cabinet approves domestic abuse ban". BBC. Retrieved 24 September 2018.
- ^ Harrison, Paul; El Aassar, Mohamed (29 May 2018). "Saudi Arabia to criminalise sexual harassment". BBC. Retrieved 24 September 2018.
- ^ Smith, Lydia (9 December 2017). "Saudi Arabia hosts first-ever concert by female performer". The Independent. Retrieved 24 September 2018.
- ^ "Saudi Arabia to allow women to enter stadiums to watch soccer". New York Post. 12 January 2018. Retrieved 24 September 2018.
- ^ Qiblawi, Tamara (12 March 2018). "Divorced Saudi women win right to get custody of children". CNN. Retrieved 24 September 2018.
- ^ Sirgany, Sarah; Smith-Spark, Laura (24 June 2018). "Landmark day for Saudi women as kingdom's controversial driving ban ends". CNN. Retrieved 24 September 2018.
- ^ Al Omran, Ahmed (1 September 2017). "Saudi Arabia edges more women into work". Financial Times. Retrieved 24 September 2018.
- ^ "Saudi women to start own business without male permission". Al Arabiya. 18 February 2018. Retrieved 24 September 2018.
- ^ Bridge, Sam (14 July 2018). "Saudi Attorney General set to appoint first female investigators". Arabian Business. Retrieved 24 September 2018.
- ^ "Saudi's passport authority to recruit women for the first time". The National. 25 January 2018. Retrieved 24 September 2018.
- ^ "Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Justice grants 12 women 'verification' license". Arab News. 10 July 2018. Retrieved 24 September 2018.
- ^ "Saudi Arabia allows women to join military". BBC. 26 February 2018. Retrieved 24 September 2018.
- ^ "Saudi crown prince launches mega Red Sea tourism project". Arab News. 2 August 2017. Retrieved 24 September 2018.
- ^ Kalin, Stephen; Rashad, Marwa. "Saudi Arabia launches multi-billion dollar entertainment resort". Reuters. Retrieved 24 September 2018.
- ^ Mourad, Mahmoud; Paul, Katie (4 September 2017). "Saudi Arabia seeks Islamic tourism boost in test for heritage, tradition". Reuters. Retrieved 24 September 2018.
- ^ Lazarus, Sarah. "Is Saudi Arabia the next big heritage tourism destination?". CNN. Retrieved 24 September 2018.
- ^ Walker, Penny (2 March 2018). "The world's most conservative country is wooing tourists like never before". The Telegraph. Retrieved 24 September 2018.
- ^ "Saudi Arabia allows concertfs—even country music". The Economist. 1 June 2017. Retrieved 24 September 2018.
- ^ "Mohammed Abdu to perform live in Riyadh". Arab News. 2 September 2016. Retrieved 24 September 2018.
- ^ Mazzetti, Mark; Hubbard, Ben (15 October 2016). "Rise of Saudi Prince Shatters Decades of Royal Tradition". New York Times. Retrieved 24 September 2018.
- ^ Reid, David (11 December 2011). "Saudi Arabia to reopen public cinemas for the first time in 35 years". CNBC. Retrieved 24 September 2018.
- ^ Nick, Vivarelli (9 April 2018). "Saudi Arabia to Debut at Cannes With Its First National Pavilion". Variety. Retrieved 24 September 2018.
- ^ Ghanem, Khaoula (24 May 2018). "Saudi Arabia and Lebanon are Set to Make Their Venice Biennale Debut". Vogue Arabia. Retrieved 24 September 2018.
- ^ Chan, Sewell (15 April 2016). "Saudi Arabia Moves to Curb Its Feared Religious Police". New York Times. Retrieved 24 September 2018.
- ^ Chulov, Marin (24 October 2017). "I will return Saudi Arabia to moderate Islam, says crown prince". The Guardian. Retrieved 24 September 2018.
- ^ Al Wasmi, Naser (20 June 2018). "Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's dynamic year of reform". The National. Retrieved 24 September 2018.
- ^ "Catholic cardinal meets Saudi King in historic visit to Riyadh". Reuters. Retrieved 24 September 2018.