Saudi Arabia Legalizes Movie Theaters in Historic Decision

It’s been almost 40 years since cinemas were banned in the desert country

A restaurant wall in al- Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (Getty Images)
A restaurant wall in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (Getty Images)

After nearly four decades of a ban on movie theaters, Saudi Arabia today announced it will permit cinemas in the country again.

The National Association of Theatre Owners in the U.S. is celebrating the historic decision, having developed large-scale planning for movie theaters in the Kingdom.

The move to let cinemas operate again in the desert country comes less than three months after Prince Mohammed bin Salman issued a royal decree allowing women to drive in the country for the first time ever.

The crown prince has integrated women more into the country’s economy by relaxing the country’s long-held rules, dictated by Wahhabi Islam.

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