Saudi Arabia: A Historic Recollection of Periodicals in “Arabic Book” Encyclopedia

The first issues of newspapers and magazines in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia represent a historical panorama, highlighting the great diversity of topics offered by theses periodicals, which included literature, politics, religion, and youth. There are still many lingering questions such as when did the first Saudi publication appear? What was the content that was presented in newspapers and magazines issued in the Kingdom? What is the role played by the press and the boom that it experienced after the unification of the Saudi Arabia at the hands of King Abdul Aziz bin Abdul Rahman Al Saud? We find answers to these important questions in the largest encyclopedia on the Saudi press, produces by the “Arab Magazine”. The man behind the gigantic effort is historian and writer Muhammad al-Saif, The editor of the Arab Magazine. The encyclopedia received excellent reviews at the last edition of Cairo International Book Fair, in February.

The encyclopedia highlights the great diversity of these publications which offered literary, political, social, religious, or academic content. Frequency of publications was also quite varied i.e., weekly, monthly, or daily. The encyclopedia does not include journals that were produced outside the Kingdom, or in any other languages except Arabic. ​​

According to the encyclopedia, “Al-Hejaz” was the first newspaper in Mecca which was released on November 3, 1908. Al-Hejaz was a weekly newspaper and it was published in both Arabic and Turkish.

The encyclopedia focuses on the newspapers that were issued after the establishment of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, during the reign of the founder King Abdulaziz. Many newspapers were published, during that time including “Umm al-Qura,” which is still published to this day. The encyclopedia chronicles the transformation of the Saudi press from an independent body to the system of private press institutions, and subsequently to the new press institutions system in 2001.

“Al-Qibla” newspaper was published in 1916 as a religious, political and social newspaper. Al Qibla used the Quranic verse, “We appointed the Qibla to which thou wast used, only to test those who followed the Apostle from those who would turn on their heels from the faith” (Al Baqarah: 143) as its motto. Sharif Hussein bin Ali chose the name Al Qibla from this verse for the first Arab Hashemite newspaper published in Hijaz. Umm Al-Qura (The Mother of Villages) was the first Arabic language Saudi Arabian daily newspaper based in Mecca, and the official gazette of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The paper was established by King Abdulaziz, and the first issue was published on 12 December 1924.

It was initially a weekly newspaper issued in four hand-printed pages before it had turned into a government gazette – an announcer of royal decrees and other state-related news.

4- page Al Falah, newspaper was launched in Mecca in 1920. Its owner and editor is Omar Shaker. The encyclopedia indicates that it was first published in Damascus in 1919. Some believe it is the first newspaper published in Saudi Arabia. The very first article appeared in this newspaper is an article about the Syrian revolution and Syrian people’s struggle against the French occupation: “Syria is a volcano that is erupting … the revolution is taking place in the Arab countries.”

According to the encyclopedia in 1928, “Al-Islah” newspaper was published as a religious, scientific, social, and moral newspaper twice a month by the “Majidiyah Printing Press” in Makkah. The 24-page newspaper included an article by Muhammad Hamid Al-Fiqi, one of Al-Azhar scholars, head of the Printing and Publishing Division in Makkah at the time.

Most of the newspapers initially were issued in Makkah Al-Mukarramah, including the 8-page weekly “The Voice of the Hijaz”, which was published in 1932 by “The Salafist Printing Press”. It was founded by Muhammad Saleh Nassif, and its editor-in-chief is Abd al-Wahhab Ibrahim Ashi. It was known as “National University”, and it is an extension of the newspaper “The Hijaz Post,” Later it changes its name to: “Al-Balad Al-Saudi Arabia”. The first issue included an article about the clash between East and West, presidential elections in Germany, whether Hitler would win or not and international and local news.

“Al-Manhal” magazine is considered one of the most important publications issued in Medina in 1937. It is a monthly literary magazine and its owner is  Abdul Quddus Al-Ansari. Its first issue was issued in 36 pages.

Riyadh based weekly “Al-Yamamah” was published in 1953 as a weekly, with 44 pages, headed by the editor Hamad Al-Jasser. Later it turned into a magazine, and it is still published. The first issue included religious articles by elite scholars as well as literary and social articles, including Nasir Al-Mangour and Shakeeb Al-Umayyad, a medical article by Dr. Yusef Al-Humaidan, and a collection of poems by contemporary poets from the Kingdom.

In Dammam, “Dhahran News” was published at the end of 1954 as a weekly newspaper. Its first issue was in 4 pages and Its editor-in-chief was Abdullah Al-Malhouq.

The 42 page “Al-Ishaa” was published in 1955 in Al-Khobar, as a monthly literary and social magazine.  Its owner and editor was Saad Al-Bawardi. The first issue included a variety of articles, poems, and short stories, and an article entitled «The Love of the Lake » about the French poet Lamartine and the story of his love, a chapter for literary analysis and criticism.

In Jeddah, “Saudi Radio” was published in the same year as a monthly magazine to highlight the schedule of the   programs presented on the radio, with pages in both Urdu and Indonesian. It was edited by Fahd Al-Abbasi. The first issue included an article on the opening of the Noble Prophet’s Mosque’s building, and an article entitled “Greetings to those who made our history” adorned with a picture of King Faisal bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud and Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser signing the Egyptian-Saudi Pact.

“Al-Raid” was published in 1959 in Jeddah. It included an article by the Dean of Arabic Literature, Taha Hussein, an article by Hisham Nazer, and a poem by Abd al-Salam Hashem Hafez.

In 1960, “Okaz” newspaper was published to cover intellectual and social themes in Jeddah, while the magazine “Islamic World League” was published in 1963 from Mecca as a monthly magazine, to deal with religious, cultural and literary affairs.

In 1964, Al-Madina newspaper was published as a comprehensive news daily from Jeddah. This was followed by the publication of Al-Youm newspaper from Dammam.

In 1966, “Al-Riyadh” newspaper was published by the Al-Yamamah Press Foundation, in 6 pages.

In 1978, Al-Sharq Al-Awsat newspaper was published in London by Hisham and Muhammad Ali Hafez. The first issue consisted of 12 pages.

In 1987, Al-Riyadiah newspaper and in 1992 Al-Eqtisadiah newspaper were published by the Saudi Research and Publishing Company. Al-Watan newspaper was also published in 2000 in Abha, with a total investment of 230 million Saudi riyals.

In 2005, the London-based newspaper, Al-Hayat, launched three Saudi editions, for the first time since its founding by Kamel Marwa in 1946.

“Shams” was published in 2005, in Riyadh and it targets youth and young generation, offering diverse topics.