Rare Footage of 1960s Saudi Arabia - Religion and Reform in the Arab Cold War (1966)

On 22 June 1966, ITN broadcasted a special report by Alan Hart on King Faisal's Saudi Arabia. In a 25 minute programme, Hart examined Saudi Arabian society and culture as its king, Faisal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, embarked on a large-scale project of social and economic development. The desert kingdom’s enormous oil wealth was being used to modernise the nation’s infrastructure and raise standards of living, all in an effort to address the social grievances which, if left unaddressed, might lead to support for Communism. The development efforts also served to compete with similar nation-building projects being undertaken by leaders of revolutionary Arab nationalist regimes in the region, led by Egypt’s Gamal Abdel Nasser and supported by the Soviet Union. Hart’s report, which includes an interview with King Faisal, offers an insight into Saudi society at the height of what became known as the Arab Cold War. It also highlights some of the tensions at the heart of Saudi society, in particular the codependent but nevertheless uneasy relationship between the ruling House of Saud and the country’s religious establishment.
#SaudiArabia #Saudi #KingFaisal #HouseOfSaud #ArabColdWar #ColdWar #Communism #USSR #SovietUnion #Egypt #Nasser #1960s
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[@ungala]

Amazing footage! Thanks!

[@MarieDavis-xt7er]

Was there a place called the range where king Faisal and his brothers used to shoot guns with the Bedouins

[@sci-filover7541]

Not all of Saudi Arabia was religiously strict and fanatical to this degree at the time. The southern regions of Saudi Arabia were open, where women did not wear the hijab or abaya at mixed weddings with men. But now the situation has reversed, and the regions of Najd, Mecca, and Medina have become open minded, while the south is now largely radicalized.

[@stuffandthings1155]

I currently live in Saudi Arabia. I wouldn't say that southern Saudi is 'radicalized' - certainly not by the definition of the word I use. I frankly don't have any problem with women wearing hijab or abaya - whether through choice or through enforcement. It's what keeps society and interactions between the sexes uncontroversial. I've been socializing with Saudis quite a lot; they don't wanna see women in tight clothes. Mecca and Medina, I would say, are pretty open-minded. I think it's because of the great number of visitors they get. They have no choice but to be. As far as Najd being open, I'd say that's debatable at best. It's a huge region; just looking at the map, it accounts for about a third of the country - if not more. Riyadh the city is open in that there are so many people there, and the government is making such an effort to import workers both domestically and internationally, that there is no choice but to accept people's differences. Once you get outside of that city, the people become very traditional and restrained. For instance, I spent a few days in Qassim. I think I saw 5 women's faces at most. Not that I have a problem with it, but that's what I saw.

[@akhtrzaman4955]

You can feel the racism and contempt of the British reporter. Modernity screwed British social fabric, destroyed family, pushed into isolation, no elderly care from their own children, sick and blind capitalism, greed of all forns esp. corporate greed which forces its own ppl to eat processed harmful substances and dying from it.

[@fchowdhury5727]

Saudi Arabia looked like Yemen in 1960s.

[@johnburugu8706]

70 million pounds only ? . That is a heck of money

[@user-xo3uo5pd8x]

For that time 💯

[@MarieDavis-xt7er]

We was in another class for 11 years olds but I looked 5 because I was similar to a midget

[@MarieDavis-xt7er]

There i believe that I had short dark hair and when I went to Russia boris yetsin died my hair blonde with hair dye so I would not be dark headed

[@cancatcannothaz]

cunning interviewer 😑

[@RobertPahlavi-ko4gj]

I am sorry about the heavy rain/floods , America has too many broadcasting channels and CIA , illuminati gangs radio Malfeasance for 50+ years. Perhaps if I fumigate the Chicago and American sewers the suffering will subside? I cry everyday from horrible hostage memories and broken bones still healing to proper shape. #Iran I hope to leave for Florida soon 🙏 Earth #Florida

[@oms5141]

KINDLY BRING THIS KIND OF LAW IN INDIA TOO 90 % POLITICAL LEADERS WILL BE DONE FOR LIFE LOL

[@MarieDavis-xt7er]

It was my belief that I was king Faisals favorite orphan from king Faisal orphanage and we would have a snack in king Faisals office as he graded his class work as I sat in another chair in his office

[@wad3602]

It is funny how people belive every stupid lie unknown channeles podcasts. Obviously those gurls are not Saudis

[@dakhilaf]

Indeed, they are Saudis and i personally know her nephew. As a matter of fact she is from a very well-known family. Very likely more well-known than yours.

[@dakhilaf]

It never ceases to amaze how the English snub other ppls and cultures when (at least at that time) they resorted to begging and exploitation of their previous colonies. They still do

[@wad3602]

​@@dakhilaf your comment is as dumb as this video. Btw I am not a Saudi

[@MarieDavis-xt7er]

I believe that my hair was dyed blonde in Vladimir Putins childhood class picture and I was placed as a blonde in my first grade class picture at lexington high school and the blonde grew out and I became a dark headed person again like it was in Saudi Arabia when king Faisal was a really old man that still loved kids and wanted a big family and as a 11 years old girl I had hoped to grow old with king Faisal from 6 to 56 in king Faisals arms to have a giant family with king Faisal

[@MythBusterIN]

Nice zionist propaganda effort😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎