Lifestyle
Saudi Arabia Lifts Travel Restrictions on Women

Saudi women no longer require a permission from a “male guardian” to travel or obtain a passport and can now travel independently, a royal decree signed by King Salman bin Abdulaziz indicated,
The decree, which was issued three days ago, clearly states that women like any other individual have the right of obtaining a passport, and that a guardian’s approval will only be needed for minors.
The statement of the decree is written in a gender-neutral way and doesn’t in any way put restrictions to a specific segment.
Here’s how some of the prominent Saudi figures reacted to the change, and their thoughts about it that was shared on twitter.
It is 1 am in #NYC
And I can't sleep.The changes that occurred today in setting سن الرشد the age of adulthood for women and men at 21 is so much more than lifting the travel permission.
It signals full equality in the eye of the law. It signals what modern Sharia is capable of
— Muna AbuSulayman منى (@abusulayman) August 2, 2019
Also hailing the changes is of course Saudi ambassador to the US Reema bint Bandar Al Saud.
I am elated to confirm that KSA will be enacting amendments to its labor and civil laws that are designed to elevate the status of Saudi women within our society, including granting them the right to apply for passports and travel independently. 1/4
— Reema Bandar Al-Saud (@rbalsaud) August 2, 2019
Ever since the Saudi Vision 2030 was launched and the Saudi authorities have been addressing the flaws in the system that stand against women living their lives freely and securely.
Such a step is considered to be yet another major change, that follows the issuing of driving licenses to women, and the inclusion of women in the consultative council.
These new regulations are history in the making. They call for the equal engagement of women and men in our society. It is a holistic approach to gender equality that will unquestionably create real change for Saudi women. 3/4
— Reema Bandar Al-Saud (@rbalsaud) August 2, 2019
Lifestyle
Atleir Des’Lumières Paris’s Digital Art Museum

Lifestyle
Saudi Rania Nashar Makes it to Forbes’ List of The World’s Top 100 Most Powerful Women”

The Kingdom’s own Rania Nashar has made it to Forbes’ annual list of “The World’s Top 100 Most Powerful Women” and we can’t help but feel so much pride!
Nashar was ranked the 99th in the list that includes prominent names such as Angela Merkel, Kamaala Harris, Melinda Gates, Rihanna, & many other global female trailblazers.
Nashar is the first female to hold the position of CEO CEO of Saudi commercial bank, Samba Financial Group. She also made it to this ranking through her tremendous efforts in implementing changes that empower women of Saudi Arabia, all of which comes as part of the 2030 Vision.
Nashar has exceeded 20 years of experience in the field of commercial banking and has been inspiring young Saudi women to take on the challenge as well and break the glass ceiling and for that, we congratulate her.
Lifestyle
This Saudi Landmark Just Won a Prestigious Award for Its Innovative Architectural Design

The King Abdullah Petroleum Studies and Research Center (KAPSARC) has received the American Concrete Institute (ACI) award for concrete construction excellence.
The building, which is designed by Zahra Hadid Architects (ZHA), is one of the most well-known landmarks in Riyadh. It’s known for its unique architectural design.
The structure features an hexagonal honeycomb structure which stands out with hexagonal cell openings providing shade from the harsh sun. “ZHA projects have always been unique and creative in an unprecedented, nontraditional way. There’s no other structure like it in the entire world,” Saudi architect Mokhtar Al Shoaibi told Arab News.
The building is made of extremely complex steel, said Saudi architect Mukhtar Al-Shoaibi.
“The contractor working on the job must have gone through so much to install the joints and then apply the sheets over it and now it acts as a monument in the Kingdom,” he told Arab News.
It’s also worth mentioning that KAPSARC won the title of ‘smartest building’ in Saudi Arabia from the Honeywell Smart Building Awards program.
“I’m proud to see Saudis accomplish that. There are many more major projects coming up in the Kingdom as well, and I can’t wait to see what they’ll present,” Mukhtar Al-Shoaibi said.