RIYADH, Saudi Arabia — Saudi Arabia announced Monday that it will allow movie theaters to open in the conservative kingdom next year in the latest social push by the country’s young crown prince.
Movie theaters were shut down in the 1980s during a wave of ultraconservatism in the country.
Many of Saudi Arabia’s clerics believe Western movies, and even Arabic films made in Egypt and Lebanon, are sinful.
But Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has sought to implement a number of major social changes with support from his father, King Salman.
The crown prince is behind measures such as lifting a ban on women driving, starting next year, and bringing back concerts and other forms of entertainment to satiate the desires of the country’s young population. The effort by the 32-year-old heir to the throne is part of his so-called Vision 2030, a blueprint for the country that aims to boost local spending and create jobs amid a sustained run of lower oil prices.
The Saudi government said a resolution was passed Monday to pave the way for licenses to be granted to commercial movie theaters, with the first cinemas expected to open in March.
Many Saudis took to Twitter to express their joy at the news, posting images of buckets of movie theater popcorn and graphics of people dancing, fainting and crying.
“It’s spectacular news. We are in a state of shock,” said Saudi actor and producer Hisham Fageeh.