Episode 36! The hosts scratch the surface on some issues affecting U.S.-Saudi relations – both now and in the past – and talk about the status of the U.S.-Saudi relationship today. First, the hosts talk about a recent op-ed by Prince Turki al-Faisal, ‘America should laugh with the Kingdom, not scowl’, amid U.S. media criticism of a comedy sketch in Saudi Arabia. The hosts then talk about a new law on terrorist financing in the Kingdom, which is but the latest in a long, successful war the Kingdom has waged against extremists in Saudi Arabia. The hosts also talk about a new art biennale in Saudi Arabia, the winner of a new Qu’ran recitation contest, and much more.
1:43 – Prince Turki al-Faisal’s recent op-ed in Arab News is a must-read.
The hosts discuss this piece, ‘America should laugh with the Kingdom, not scowl’, and why it brilliantly captures outdated American attitudes about Saudi Arabia as a growing nation with strong, deep ties to the United States.
“While many challenges face us in the post-corona era, I am amused by the brouhaha in the US media about a Saudi TV comedy sketch that took the mickey out of President Joe Biden. Commentators and pundits have taken umbrage, saying it was insulting, that it showed the Kingdom was not a friend of the US, that Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman was getting back at Biden for the president’s refusal to meet him and his release of the CIA document about the Khashoggi killing, that it was an insult to the American people, and so on; truly an amazing reaction….It shows how thin skinned American media is, notwithstanding how that media has treated our leadership, our people and our faith…”
“I say to American media…Laugh at the humor. We have withstood jibes at us from American media and politicians; it is only fair that you withstand our comedic jibes at you. Let us laugh together, not scowl at each other.”
NB: As mentioned in the segment, here’s a link to the full, unedited interview that Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman gave to The Atlantic.
14:00 – Saudi Arabia’s successful war on terrorism financing – one of the top areas of cooperation between Saudi Arabia and the United States – is continuing forward with new, tougher rules on online donations.
New rules from the Saudi government have been put in place to make it harder for charities in Saudi Arabia to become donators to extremists causes both inside and outside of the Kingdom. The Saudi Public Prosecution has banned the establishment of private websites to collect donations for charitable work outside the kingdom in an effort to stop funds being sent to terror groups, the Saudi Okaz newspaper reported, relayed by Middle East Monitor…A statement issued by the government body explained that the punishment for anyone who is proven to have committed a cybercrime by creating websites for terrorist organizations will be up to ten years in jail and a fine of up to five million riyals ($1.3 million).
The Public Prosecution affirmed that donations can only be made through “official authorities concerned with receiving charitable, relief and international humanitarian donations.”
22:05 – Yallah! Saudi in a minute — The 966 segment with 6 top storylines to get you up to date heading into the weekend….
•According to a report this week in Arabnews: Saudi Arabia’s Film Commission has licensed 56 theaters in 20 cities so far since its launch in April 2018. In those theaters, 1,144 films were shown, including 22 Saudi films. The number of ticket sales amounted to 30,860,956 for films in 22 languages from 38 countries.
•Saudi Arabia’s stock market is the 6th hottest globally in 2022, according to Bloomberg data. As of this week, in April 2022, The TASI is up 22% this year in dollar terms. Optimism for the Saudi economy in 2022 continues to grow on the back of higher oil prices and a Kingdom well-positioned to grow in the post-pandemic year.
•After a seven-month hiatus, senior Iranian and Saudi security officials are expected to resume their dialogue in Iraq later this week, Amwaj.media has learned. Speaking on condition of anonymity, an informed Arab source has suggested that a fifth round of talks will be held on Apr. 21, “attended by representatives appointed by the highest leadership of the two countries.”
•Cementing Saudi Arabia’s status as a serious art powerhouse on the world stage, the Diriyah Biennale Foundation has announced its inaugural Islamic Arts Biennale, according to a report in Vogue Middle East. “Honoring the richness of the Kingdom’s creative heritage, while championing innovation and fresh ideas, the biennale will explore spirituality in the aesthetic realm and a diversity of artistic expressions. It will also provide new dialogues and insights by inviting international artists from around the world.”
•Yahoo via Bloomberg reports that Saudi Arabia is hosting an international competition which is broadcast on official state TV during Ramadan that features competitors – using their voice alone – reciting the Holy Quran or delivering the Islamic call to prayer. More than 40,000 contestants from 80 countries have participated and, after several stages, 36 candidates from Britain, Canada, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Egypt, Algeria, Iran, Malaysia, Indonesia and Turkey have reached the finals. The total prize value is $3.2m. The first-place winner in the category of reciting the Holy Quran receives $1.3 million, while the first-place winner in the category of delivering the call to prayer receives $533,000. The remaining prize money is divided among six other contestants.
•BeachSoccer.com reports that the Saudi Arabia national beach soccer team, under the supervision of their head coach, Brazilian Joga Zlokovic, underwent an intensive eight-day training camp at the King Faisal Sports City in Jazan. A total of 15 players took part in the training and, as the camp took place during Ramadan, the team sessions were held in the middle of the night, from 1am until 3am. The first edition of the NEOM Beach Soccer Cup, which took place in Saudi Arabia back in 2019, was the first official competition of the Saudi national team, and they beat China and UAE to finish third.
