This year, Christmas celebrations in Saudi Arabia have been more visible than ever before. In the capital city of Riyadh, mall displays and Christmas trees have been on sale, and an official Saudi newspaper even published a special festive edition for the first time. While some restrictions on the celebration of Christmas have been easing in recent years, this marks a significant change in a country where almost all Christians are expatriates and the practice of any religion other than Islam has been prohibited.
The increased tolerance of Christmas comes as Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman pushes for economic and social reforms, including a reduction in the country’s reliance on oil and more lenient rules on women’s rights, such as the ability to drive. While the celebration of non-Muslim holidays remains a controversial topic among hardliners in Saudi Arabia, this year, a senior Muslim cleric stated that “there’s nothing in scripture that bans congratulating” those who observe such holidays. This shift in attitude has been welcomed by some Saudis, including those who have studied abroad, who see it as a sign of liberalization. The Arab News’ decision to publish a Christmas edition may be an attempt to show that Saudi Arabia is becoming a more welcoming and inclusive country, as it looks to attract western businesses and talent in competition with other countries such as the United Arab Emirates.
