Last year was when Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) was appointed heir to the throne and Crown Prince by his father, King Salman. Since coming into power, the young leader has made some groundbreaking changes including a boost in the entertainment sector re-opening public cinemas, lifting the driving ban on women and allowing women to enter and watch sports events at stadiums.
The 32 year old Crown Prince is a beacon of light for young Saudis hoping for a modern and lucrative future and these are some of the things the young leader said that blew us away…
When He Spoke About Male Guardianship…
Telling The Atlantic in April 2018, the Crown Prince said, "Before 1979, there were societal guardianship customs but no guardianship laws in Saudi Arabia, it doesn't go back to the time of the Prophet Muhammad. In the 1960's women didn't travel with male guardians. But it happens now, and we want to move on it and figure out a way to treat this in a manner that doesn't harm families and doesn't harm the culture.”
His Thoughts On Religion…
MBS’s tour of America was a huge deal and his CBS interview in March 2018 was refreshing to watch as he candidly spoke about his views on Saudi society, culture and religion…
"We want to go back to what we were; moderate Islam. Saudi Arabia was not like this before 1979. We want to go back to what we were, the moderate Islam that's open to all religions. We want to live a normal life. We want to coexist with and contribute to the world.”
Women’s Rights Are Important To MBS…
"In King Salman's time, women were able to vote for the first time and 20 women won in these elections. Women can now work in any sector. In business and commerce, as a lawyer, in the political field, and in all sectors. Women can carry out any jobs they want. What is left is that we support women for the future and I don't think there are obstacles we can't overcome," he said.
And So Is The Freedom For Women To Wear What They Want…
When asked about women’s rights and attire by American news channel CBS in March, he clearly stated, "The laws are very clear and stipulated in the laws of Sharia: that women wear decent, respectful clothing, like men. This, however, does not particularly specify a black abaya or a black head cover. The decision is entirely left for women to decide what type of decent and respectful attire she chooses to wear.”
His Plans For Saudi Arabia’s Future…
The Crown Prince strives to make Saudi a tourist friendly destination and an inspirational one at that, in line with his post oil plan, Vision 2030, almost all of the reforms being made at present are working towards boosting the kingdom’s economy. When announcing Saudi Arabia’s new megacity, NEOM, which is said to be four times the size of Dubai, Beirut, Cairo, and Amman combined, the ambitious leader said, "We try to work only with the dreamers. This place is not for conventional people or companies.”
