Although I did not get to attend the Saudi Blog Camp which was held on 2 July in Jeddah, I had some great email dialogues with Ahmed Al-Omran of Saudi Jeans about the event. He shared with me an interesting question which was posed during the event “some people asked if Saudi blogs in English offer a true image of the country, because they think such blogs are too critical and damaging to the country’s image.”
I think that comment bears some further exploration and discussion. It would seem to me that the standard English language media does more towards damaging the image of Saudi Arabia than Saudi bloggers like myself who are blogging in English. I like to think that blogs such as mine and many others either supplement or provide alternatives to the English language media about Saudi Arabia. However any blog which one reads that is written by an individual should realize that it could indeed be biased and have posts based on that individuals perspective and experiences. And we all know that in Saudi Arabia, ones experiences which in turn influence their perspectives can vary greatly.
It also begs the question on whether those individuals who raised concern about English blogs did so because perhaps they do not have a good grasp of the English language and therefore feel threatened.
I would welcome the views of readers on which Saudi English language blogs they follow and why as well as how they rate the blog in its ability to provide a fair and balanced perspective of Saudi Arabia. Which ones are the highest recommended? Which ones are viewed as very biased and lacking substance?
Has anyone noticed a distinction in the topics and substance on Saudi blogs written by men as compared to the ones written by females?
Which English language blogs about Saudi Arabia should be ranked as the top five?
Filed under: Saudi Arabia, Saudi Living, Saudi blogs, Saudi culture, Saudi customs, Saudi education, Technology, culture, gender, travel | Tagged: blogging, culture, culture shock, customs, KSA, language, Saudi, Saudi Arabia, Saudi customs, women
Which English language blogs about Saudi Arabia should be ranked as the top five?
can’t answer this question, since i read only americanbedu
Here are 4 of the English blogs that I follow, other than yours of course (to round off my top 5). They are all excellent and offer different content and focus. There is no order of preference in my list.
Saudi Alchemist
Crossroads Arabia
Saudi Jeans
Saudiwoman’s Weblog
Regarding whether blogs present an unbalanced view of Saudi, I was actually disappointed that bloggers would hold such view. Of all people I expected bloggers to be believers in open exchange.
In my opinion Saudi is lacking in open discussions and the blog movement has provided a good forum for such discussions. Specifically, I think the ones written in English have more freedoms with less scrutiny or fear of being blocked or attacked by conservatives. So I view such blogs are positive and I am thankful for all the bloggers that spend a great deal of their time in providing a forum for education and frank discussions.
Good post. I think that anyone that reads a blog and believes that they are getting the absolute truth, unbiased in any way, is in for a rude awakening. That being said, I feel the same way about everything I read or see, be it movies, television, newspapers, books, etc so my opinion in itself is a little biased.
As for good KSA blogs in English, here are my top 5 (in no particular order):
1) American Bedu
2) Sand Gets in My Eyes
3) Sabria’s Out of the Box
4) Susie’s Big Adventure
5) Saudi Jeans
I read others as well, but these are definitely my top 5. Reading these blogs as well as others to me is like reading 3 different newspapers. You often see the same events and topics covered in very different ways. Personally, I like that.
Carol, I don’t really have time to read many other blogs other than yours on a regular basis as you have so many great articles that raise important questions usually on a daily basis. Your blog comes from an expat experiencing life in Saudi Arabia married to a Saudi. We are a unique bunch that see things much clearer than other expats living here. As long as we don’t cross the line, I think that we can be quite open here in discussing the trials and tribulations that affect us….our likes and dislikes, along with our treasure finds of tiny … off the beaten track….towns to explore. We see Saudi much differently than Saudis do for sure.
I’ve often wondered about that, but then again many people watch Jerry Springer on satellite TV and think that is how life is in the US of A. I used to argue that if it were, then no one would’ve watched it… since that would be everyday life for everyone.
Anyway, blogs IMO are a representation of an individual’s experience, and whatever they want to communicate with the world.
Two siblings, in the same family can have totally different feelings towards their parents… so who’s to say if writing in English or any other language is good or bad… its all about how it is said… and how it is interpreted.
Regards,
I like the personal view, and no blog I read disguised that personal outlook. In this they are more honest than the media who claim to be unbiased but all seem to have their own agenda.
None of he Saudi/english blogs I read is trying to defame KSA, of course there is some pretty heinous stuff going on there, but that isn’t their responsibillity, or of their making.
-crossroads arabia
-saudi jeans
-saudi woman
-susie’s
I cant imagine why someone would create a blog and use it simply to defame a place…for what purpose…and how much energy and time would that take. You would have to assume there are literally thousands of readers hanging on to your every word for your defamation to have any sort of impact…a blog is, after all, just a drop in the ocean of information out there on the net.
I agree that being married to a Saudi and having a more in depth experience into Saudi life means your posts are more life like and meaningful as opposed to an expat on the outside looking in from a bubble compound etc. Most of those are filled with complaints and get tiring sometimes. (hmmm maybe I should stop the complaints…lol)
American bedu
Susies
Stilletos in the Sand
Sand gets in my eyes
recently Saudi Jeans
I don’t have top 5,but top 4
American bedu,the best
Sand gets in my eyes,my second best
Susies
Working in Saudi Arabia.
I cannot add anything to what has been stated here. Saudi in the US is spot on in his observations. Bloggers should be open and willing to talk about issues, but that isnt always the case.
It is just as possible to have bloggers that are di hard supporters of various regimes and the status quo as it is to have bloggers that are open to discussion.
American bedu, saudi jeans ,crossroads arabia are what i read.
I agree that a blog is a particular persons perspective, if one wants the whole picture and experience the only way to get it would be to move to saudi, even better if yo are married to one ,then you get the good, the bad and the ugly.
http://www.saudinomics.com is new and deals with Saudi trade issues.
is susie’s blog from saudi?
was not at all aware – then, my pref would be
1. americanbedu
2. susies adventures
I read this one and Susie’s great Adventure. I have looked at the others but don’t have as much time as I’d like right now to read the blogs.
I understand that blogs are from a personal perspective and that’s why I like them. I am used to open dialogue so a blog such as this is the norm for me. I am surprised sometimes that some of the blogging isn’t blocked, well I guess Susie was, so the fact that they are not has made me think a little softer about Saudi censorship.
American Bedu,
Thanks for your efforts in helping us all better understand the Middle East and your work in the U.S. government.
Would love to chat about that sometime.
“some people asked if Saudi blogs in English offer a true image of the country, because they think such blogs are too critical and damaging to the country’s image.”
I assume the Saudi blogs in English will skew a bit left of the average Saudi. Given the very low median age in Saudi Arabia, the blogs probably skew slightly older than average. Saudis may hate criticism but the blogs present to the world a much more complex image of Saudi Arabia than conventional Saudi media. That complex images is a good thing. The Saudis I read are different from me but also different from the crazy Shieks that places like Memri loves to quote.
First of all, I want to thank all of you who follow American Bedu and have it in your top five! And I tell you, I also follow the other blogs which have been sited.
I like Crossroads Arabia and not only because John and I have served together in the past in the Foreign Service (smile) but due to his insights and analysis he provides with the articles he posts.
I like Saudi Jeans as it provides a great perspective written by the new Saudi generation who has a good command of English, knows how to use technology and eloquent in voicing his views.
I like Saudi Woman as Imam is candid in speaking her mind and views and presents an “insider” view of experiences, culture and situations as a Saudi woman in Saudi.
I like Sand Gets in My Eyes as she presents interesting expat perspectives and asks intuitive questions at the end of her posts which make one think more about the topic and want to return to see the other comments posted.
I like Susie’s as she also provides views as the wife of a Saudi and perspectives and challenges she faces with her teenage son who had spent all of his life in the States until their big move.
I hope that Aysha from In the Making will get opportunities to write more frequently as she is another Saudi of the younger generation who writes posts on so many topics and allows readers like me to be exposed to new perspectives and views.
There are many other blogs out there in the Saudi blogosphere too which I view routinely. And like others have noted, some are biased and some are not-so-biased. I don’t think I can say that any I have read are unbiased 100 per cent.
@GT, Mark,
Welcome and thank you both for your comments.
GT, appreciate the info on saudinomics.com.
Mark – please feel free to email me at anytime: admin@americanbedu.com
I read Bedu, Crossroads Arabia, Saudi Jeans, Susie’s and Sand Gets in My Eyes. I think they all offer great perspectives and insights.
@valerie – thanks for sharing your top reads!
too bad my site http://www.indiesaudi.com got hacked and is currently down….
@Abdullah Hamed – very sorry to hear that. Good time to remind all bloggers, always make a back up!!
One more thing I just noticed….Global Watchers Arabia is up for renewal. The name expired July 18th.
If we’re just talking about native KSArs writing in English (vs expats), I like Saudi Jeans & Saudiwoman’s Weblog,
I also read Hala in the USA, which is about a Saudi student’s experience on the scholarship program. She doesn’t post too often, but when she does it’s good.
@Nonamy,
Welcome and thanks for sharing your view of Saudi blogs too.
American Bedu,
I meant to ask you what people in Saudi Arabia thought of Saddam Hussein and his reported attempts to conduct terror attacks inside that country?
Any thoughts you may have would be great.
@Mark,
I have not encountered anyone in Saudi who viewed Saddam Hussein in a favorable light. Regarding Saddam and attempts to conduct terror inside of Saudi Arabia has not been a topic of discussion. I think due to my American nationalism when the topic of Saddam or Iraq comes up, inevitably it leads to disdain (putting it very mildly) for American actions and decisions vis-a-vis Iraq on the part of many Saudis.
i missed out on the blog camp too, was out of town, like your blog bro
started out a new blog, check it out
subliminals-mind.blogspot.com/