Saudi bans 50 baby names…or do they?

On the 16th of March it was reported by multiple foreign and domestic news agencies that 50 names had been banned across Saudi Arabia for any parents wishing to name their children them.

It was reported that these names fell into four categories (reasons for the prohibition of them). These are the categories:
1. Names the Ministry of Interior deemed blasphemous. Names such as Abdul Rasool (worshipper of the prophet) were included in this category as under Islam the teaching is to only worship God and not the prophets.

2. Western influenced names. These include names like Linda, which although common in the West were apparently perceived to be too Western for the Islamic state.

3. Names relating to the Royalty of the Kingdom. Amir (prince) was on the list in this category.

Another interesting name that appeared on this list is Benyamin, an inter-religious name which is a common Muslim name in some countries. It was rumoured that this name had been prohibited as it was seen as a clear connection to an enemy of Saudi Arabia, Benyamin Netanyahu.

However within days of these reports, the Ministry of Interior seized the opportunity to quash the rumours with a statement explaining that there had been no such prohibition and no plans of doing such in the future. They did however emphasise that any names are lawful as long as they adhear to the Islamic law which is in effect in the Kingdom.

Incredible end to police chase in Saudi Arabia

Over the last couple of weeks a video uploaded to YouTube has become viral. Far from the normal bad publicity Saudi and its people seem to encounter, this video show cased how caring and admirable the Saudi public can be.

In the 1:19 minute video we witness a chase involving a truck and many police cruisers, attempting to apprehend the criminal. You notice a man walking on the road, wearing no shoes and dressed in the traditional attire of the Thobe. The truck appeared to lose control and 'spin out' the caring Samaritan seized this opportunity and sprinted over to it, climbed onto the truck, while moving and entered through the drivers window and stopped the truck himself.

The man showed incredible courage and has been admired by thousands of viewers worldwide and become a source of admiration and encouragement for the Saudi public. The Samaritan described as a 'super hero' has had no contact with media so far, but will hopefully be a reminder to local and foreign people of Saudis kindness and integrity.

Syrian conflict timeline

As the conflict in syria reaches its fourth year, we take a look through the years and show just how much of a tragedy this conflict has been.