Saudi Arabia lifts ban on cinemas after 35 years

The Saudi Arabia Government on Monday lifted a decades-long ban on cinemas, as part of a series of social reforms by the powerful crown prince that are shaking up the ultra-conservative kingdom.

Commercial cinemas will be allowed to operate in the kingdom as of early 2018, for the first time in more than 35 years,' the culture and information ministry said in a statement on Monday, adding that the government will begin licensing cinemas immediately.

Saudi Arabia’s Islamic clerical establishment and conservative Saudis have typically frowned upon non-religious forms of entertainment such as cinema and music. 

 

They were banned in the 1980s as a threat to cultural and religious identity.

Culled from Daily Mail.