The early days were not easy — getting staff, equipment and trying to muddle through bureaucratic maze. Despite these obstacles a paper was born, and it provided some comfort to many of our English-speaking expatriates and others in an era before satellite TV, Internet and other communication channels were available around the globe.

Arab News progressed slowly at that time. It was still looked on as “that paper for foreigners.” However, unfolding events soon would help transform the newspaper from a regional news source to an internationally respected and sought-after news organization.

Some of the events that led to that transformation were the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, the Iran-Iraq War, the Falklands War, the 1982 FIFA World Cup, the Israeli invasion of Lebanon and the massacre of Palestinians in Sabra and Shatila — all provided Arab News with instant material and a global focus.

The professionalism of the staff increased as its responsibilities did, and an expansion of the newsroom and additional local reportage, albeit limited, began to capture the interests of many. We were also buoyed by the fact that several new publications by the company were formed. Editorial content from our sister publications, such as Asharq Al-Awsat, Sayidaty, Al-Eqtisadiah and Al-Majalla helped beef up our local and Arab content, which gave us an edge over our competitors. Our diverse staff enabled us to provide perspectives to which our readers otherwise would not have had access.

The hallmark of our editorial excellence was demonstrated during the Gulf War when, after Saddam crossed into Kuwait, we moved our office to the Eastern Province. I went there six days after the invasion of Aug. 2, 1990, and came back to Jeddah on March 14, 1991. We felt that it was not right that while hundreds of correspondents from around the globe were there that we had no presence. As such, Arab News became a source of news on several aspects of Saudi society. The Arab News office was a regular stop for the international press corps. That war put us on the world stage as many of us appeared almost daily on global TV networks.

The 1990s saw progress; however, the advent of the new century and Sept. 11 once again launched Arab News into the international news orbit. Since the attackers came from this area, the wrath of the Americans fell upon us.

Hate mail numbering in the tens of thousands descended upon us. We had a website, our name was Arab News, and we were the first target. We did not despair. We blunted each attack with explanations — asking Americans not to apply the principle of collective guilt to all Arabs and Muslims and requesting people of different races, nationalities and faiths to join hands to work together against the forces of evil. It was no easy task. For about four years we kept on; however, during this period we discovered an array of talent — people from all walks of life, citizen journalists and the younger generation of Saudis rose to the occasion. They wrote, commented and helped relay that message of peace. We also began to attract local readers who saw in Arab News a means of media to which they could relate. Our readership increased, and more women began to browse through the paper. The Internet, our name and the different voice we provided made us prominent and unique. People wanted an insight into Saudi society, its thought processes and its world vision. The “green paper” provided that.

We were pioneers in employing women. The idea was not to have a quota but to get the best person for the job. We investigated stories focusing on human rights, child abuse, and worker mistreatment thus becoming an even stronger voice for the expatriate community. It was neither a matter of sensationalism nor a quest for increased circulation but a desire to build a bridge between those who had no voice and the authorities. 

The changes in Saudi Arabia also have helped. The reforms of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah, his call for a tolerant society where meritocracy was to be applied and his directives to enhance the role of women in societal progress gave us a wider field with which to express ourselves. The freedom to express, critique and question also made us aware of responsible journalism.

We began to compete with ourselves, and as such we became more professional. No media person coming to the Kingdom would leave without a visit to the paper. The paper became a part of Saudi society and kept a focus on our young, giving our readers a much better understanding of the tough choices we as a nation must make to ensure the best possible future for us all.

Today Arab News has come a long way. We still are a paper for all those who want to read in the English language, but we also are a Saudi paper that highlights our societal expectations, focuses on our current and future cultural challenges and provides a calm, reasoned Arab perspective on the world stage.

We aren’t stopping to applaud ourselves. The media have changed, and so did we, and we will keep on marching with the times. Change thus has become synonymous with our strategy.

All that we are today would not have been possible without the pioneering support of those who preceded us — the publishers, Hisham and Muhammad Ali Hafiz; the late Prince Ahmad bin Salman, who was a source of encouragement and open to ideas; the editors who were there and all the people who helped and provided logistic support that honed our distinct edge over many papers.

And today we are part of a news conglomerate headed by Chairman Prince Faisal bin Salman who also has assumed the mantle of publisher. Even that has been conducive to further advancement — noninterference in editorial matters, a receptive ear to new ideas, moral support and an eye for the unusual has been his traits. These attributes have made things easy for us.

I would also like to thank all our readers and advertisers who throughout these years maintained confidence in us and gave us invaluable support.

The 35th anniversary is but a stop to reflect back and thank those who brought us to where we are. It is also a moment when we redefine, readjust and absorb the new to face the challenges of what is to come.

I am confident that we will be able to do just that.