Saudi Arabia is very religious country:

Yes, it may seems religious because of 2 holy mosques presence in the country but when it comes to real people of Saudi Arabia, they are not as religious as portrayed. They are often less practicing Muslims compare to other Muslims from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Indonesia etc. They are mostly moderate. They care less about others religious affairs because they think following religion strictly is a personal choice. You will find a father who is not practicing Muslim at all but his son is totally opposite and fully devote Muslim. I have seen it personally. They care less about beard. They care less about your appearance.

Saudi Arabia is run by dictatorship:

How many democratic counties are successful on this earth? I am from India and I see only corruption in our country in the name of democracy. All politicians are looters. They care about nothing but themselves and their families. Public are just vote banks in the name of development and religions. Poor people always suffer. rich becomes richer and poor becomes poorer. People die because they do not afford basic health care for them. Many people live under the poverty line and they do not have food to eat three times a day. No clean water for drinking. Roads are pathetic. Pollution at its highest level. you cant afford any government service without bribery.

On the other hand, KSA is run by one family but that family is running this country peacefully for decades if not for centuries, and they always make sure that their citizens gets highest quality of life. Saudis do not have to go abroad to find a job and live there. In fact, they provide millions of jobs to people around the world. People do not die here due to lack of basic necessities. There is no rain or water sources here in KSA but everyone get water supply uninterrupted. Best healthcare, best in the world infrastructure. You name it. Saudi government has really taken care of their people well.

Saudis live lavishly:

No they dont. They have their own style of living. They wear very modest clothes and mostly white colored. Their homes are very simple square box from outside but yes inside it is luxurious. They eat less verity in parties mostly big lamb on big plate and together. They dont like colorful cars. they prefer white one.

Saudis are conservatives:

Saudi are very friendly open minded people. They do not differentiate between Muslims and non Muslims at work place. All are equal for them as long as you perform well at work place. They like movies and music just like any others. They like hanging out with friends and families. They play and watch football a lot.

Saudis are dictators:

This is utterly wrong. I have not seen any one more generous than Saudis. They like to be paid on time and they will pay on time. If someone approaches them to help, they help with open heart. They will give away whatever in their wallet to the sweepers on road side.

My father family arrived in KSA in early 2000s and we were like poor chops here. But, we never needed to buy utensils, clothes, furniture, AC, school bags and even slippers because all things were given to us by our Saudi neighbors or my father’s Saudi sponsor or his Saudi friends. Those were our happy days here.

Once at my work place, a visitor came from outside with some fraud offer. He was talking to my Saudi boss. I was making gestures to my boss to not to be trapped in that fraud offer but he took out money from his pocket and purchased that offer from that fraudster and later on he told me that he gave the money just like charity. He know that offer was fraud and he just wanted to help that jobless man.

If any accidents happen on road, first thing they will ask is HOW ARE YOU? ARE YOU HURT? then shake hands.

There are numerous cases like that I have personally witnessed. They like to help and they do not like it to be publicized. They dont see who is in front of them asking for help.

Beheading and other severe punishments for crime:

These things you often read in medias. I must say politically motivated biased medias.

Saudi Arabia do not practice stone age laws. Executions happens very rarely and in case of high profile crimes only and it will be after due legal course. It is because of these strict laws, rape does not exist in Saudi Arabian soil.

Rich Saudis own oils wells:

Nobody owns oil wells here except Saudi government.

There are many such misconceptions about Saudi Arabia.

SOURCE : SHAKIR AHMED​