Arab News had humble beginnings — literally from a garage as Khaled Almaeena the editor in chief puts it rather proudly today. The decision by the two brothers Hisham and Muhammad Ali Hafiz to take out a newspaper — and that too in English — from Saudi Arabia, way back in 1975, must not have been an easy one. Credit must be given. It must have been daring — to say the least — from both business and the editorial perspectives. Those were literally different times and the Kingdom — a different world.

When I landed in Saudi Arabia — some two decades ago — Arab News and the BBC Urdu Service were my best connection to the rest of the world. The era of instant journalism had not arrived yet. Satellite channels and Internet were nowhere on the horizon. And Arab News filled the vacuum — meeting the needs of the growing English speaking expatriate population in the Kingdom. This continues even today. Arab News remains a major link between the vibrant expatriate community and the Saudi society.

With the passage of time, however, one definitely saw Arab News expand its role — slowly and gradually. Today it is almost the window to the world on the Arab and the larger Islamic issues.

With interest in the Arab and the Islamic perspective growing, especially since the 9/11 attacks, Arab News is playing the role of a bridge between the two cultures, the two civilizations — to borrow a phrase from Huntington. And the massive number of hits every day on Arab News portal, from all over the world, is a witness to this. On the domestic front too, Arab News is the top newspaper for the majority of the English educated Saudi elite today. The newspaper has a definite reason to claim to be the region’s leading English daily.

Over the 35 years of its journey, Arab News has covered a truly long distance. Now, it has a more fresh, crisp and colorful look.

In fact the changing Arab News reflects the rapid changes, the struggle, occurring in this very society. And the tussle is on.

From a professional viewpoint too, Arab News continues to test limits, one could say with some hindsight. In the process, taboos were broken and red lines pushed back, one cannot argue.

There have been battles, heated arguments, trials and tribulations and heads rolled too, yet the journey has continued — one could say without fear or favor.

The story of Arab News is the story of perseverance, of single-minded dedication, to a cause and a mission. This is not just a newspaper — it was and remains a movement in progress proud of its past, its values and its history.

— Energy analyst Syed Rashid Husain writes weekly column ‘Oil Scene’ for Arab News.