Today, Explained Saudi Arabia is no joke
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Oct 9, 2025 In this discussion, Aloda Abdullah, a Saudi national and Senior Director for Countering Authoritarianism, shares personal stories about his father's detention tied to human rights activism. Journalist Seth Simons analyzes the Riyadh Comedy Festival, exploring why comedians perform under such conditions and the moral dilemmas they face. The conversation dives into Saudi Arabia's use of culture for image laundering, the potential for change, and the backlash from the comedy community, highlighting the complex interplay between art, politics, and freedom of speech.
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Broad Laws Criminalize Speech
- Saudi Arabia criminalizes broad speech under counterterrorism and cybercrime laws that can treat criticism as terrorism.
- Aloda Abdullah warns such laws can punish ordinary conversations and dissent with severe penalties.
Family Impact: A Father Detained
- Aloda Abdullah recounts his father detained since 2017 for a tweet calling for reconciliation between Saudi Arabia and Qatar.
- His father faces 37 charges including seeking democratic reform and risks the death penalty.
Festival Backed By State Wealth
- The Riyadh Comedy Festival is funded and organized by state entities like the Public Investment Fund (PIF).
- Abdullah argues state funding ties the festival directly to the crown prince and the government's image strategy.