Hi all, I’m a saudi and happy to answer any questions about some of the misconceptions about Saudi (if mods allow).
Also, mods, if you think my post is not fit for the forum or is gonna sway the conversation in a wrong way, please feel free to remove it)
Everything below is my own personal thoughts as a Saudi citizen who loves his country and sees posts that are not exactly accurate.
About me. I was born in saudi, left it for few years because I didn’t like where the country was going to work in a western country. Came back around 2017 when MBS announced Vision 2030 which addressed all my issues with my home country and wanted to see it with my own eyes.
First, my thoughts on the take over:
I absolutely hate it. But not because it’s Saudi. I think states intervening in football have ruined it. This applies to City, PSG and -to an extent- Chelsea. I love football and i don’t want it to be a propaganda tool. I wouldn’t want any state funds into United either. But that’s just me.
Now let me address some of the issues I’ve seen some posters raise (and rightly so, the media have been ruining saudi image for years and it’s hard for people to tell the truth from outside)
On the war in Yemen:
Let me ask you this, and think about it. If a group of militias took control over one of your neighboring country and started sending missiles to your city. What would you want your country to do? Keep in mind that the official government of that neighboring country acknowledged that they can’t control the situation and actually asked your country for help dealing with them.
Saudi have spent billions trying to build and help Yemen but the militia (allegedly supported by weapons from Iran) kept that money from citizens and prevented them from getting aid. Saudi does not want to occupy Yemen, has it occurred to you what benefits saudi in this war? Beside protection for its own people?
On women rights:
Saudi has made strides in that area under MBS rule. Percentage of women in workforce is 75% with equal salaries and rights to men. Saudi have done a lot to empower women and we’re seeing more women in high leading positions everyday. Women are now free to do whatever they want and gender does not play a role in anything anymore.
On human rights:
I really don’t know what to say here. I’ve lived in the west and I have to say human rights for all citizens (Saudia and expats) are on bar or better than most countries. The media keeps saying we’re not doing enough but maybe I’m ignorant to what that means. But in day to day we’re fine.
On life:
Saudi has one of the best health care systems in the world. Health care is seen as a right. Saudi was one of the best countries in the world dealing with COVID. Free vaccines to everyone (even illegal immigrants) no questions asked.
Saudi has one of the best education systems in the world. Not only higher education is free, the government actually pays you money (grants) to finish higher education. Student loans don’t exist. If you get accepted in Harvard for example, Government pays for your education, travel tickets, housing and give you allowance, no strings attached. Just come back and spend the same number of years inside saudi to build it and maybe transfer some knowledge (but they don’t enforce that).
Standard of living is high. Homelessness is almost non existent. Financially people are better off here (and they should be, it’s a wealthy country and wealth is not horded)
On Sharia Law and the death penalty:
Yes, that’s a thing. But it’s rarely practiced. Very rarely. And for very specific crimes (murder where there were enough witnesses and the family of the deceased rejected a significant sum of money). Why is it worse than the electric chair in several countries? It’s a law and every country has the right to put its own laws (and you have the right to feel it’s unjust)
On Qatar blockade:
Qatar has been speaking badly of Saudi and plotting lots of schemes and ruining its reputation in the media for a long time. Saudi asked them to stop but they didn’t which resulted in the blockade. Things are fine now (for the most part). I personally didn’t like it but I don’t have all the details. All I can be sure of (according to how I know my government) is that it was a last resort.
On (the murder):
For the lack of a better word (English is not my first language) it was disgusting. I was surprised and ashamed and there’s no excuse to what happened. I think my government made a mistake and they pretty much admitted so.
That being said, the family of the deceased have dropped charges (and before someone jumps, I don’t believe they were forced to. It’s not how our government operates.). I don’t think it was under MBS orders though but feel free to believe what you want. Saudi have never tried to justify it. Screw ups like this happen with every country and they all should be held accountable. A human life is sacred and this should not happen.
Hope I didn’t forget anything. Happy to provide sources and discuss in a civil manner.
Bottom line: there’re a lot of Manchester United fans in Saudi and we feel hurt every time someone makes a racist comment against us. Why should we be treated differently to other countries? I’m here cause I love Manchester United and so do you.
Note: I’ve been a lurker in this forum for years. I created the account to write this post when there were rumors of MBS buying Manchester United due to all the hateful comments I read. But felt lazy writing it and that thread died away anyway.