Other than taboos of Government, Religion, Sex and Drugs, even photography in the public was also seen as a taboo in Saudi Arabia as recent as 2006.

Professional Photographers or Tourists seen taking photographs often faced intervention from the local authorities and backlash from the general public and had their cameras or films confiscated. Journalists have to endure difficulties on a daily basis to take photos in public.

There are a couple of popular beliefs behind the country's strict stance towards photography;

Protection of Privacy:
It is argued on the basis of local customs. The camera is seen as an intrusion upon privacy. Just having a camera hanging around your neck will surely attract attentions and even comments, whether you are in your car, on the streets or at public places

Religious Purposes:
Many also argued that this current mindset towards photography is also down to the religious teachings in Saudi Arabia.

The textbook used in the ninth grade, for example, says that photography is a form of idolatry. On page 100, it states, “Depicting living creatures, animal or human, whether life-size or on paper or walls is prohibited because it imitates God’s creation.” - depicting a very negative view towards photography

As such, many students grow up with the mindset that photography is against the teachings of their religion.

Commenting on the subject, Khaled Al-Atiq, one of the founders of the largest association of Saudi photographers, said:

“If I am assaulted by a ninth grader, I do not blame him or her. Instead, I hold the Ministry of Education and the teachers responsible.”

He added:

“Our society considers photography atheistic and perhaps thinks that a photographer is the same as an individual who consumes alcohol.”


It is only recently that the attitude and regularities began to change after some international pressure on Saudi Arabia and economic pressure to attract more tourists into the country.

For more information on these news, you can learn more from the below links;
http://ezinearticles.com/?Photography-in-Saudi-Arabia&id=406157
http://arabnews.com/?page=1&section=0&article=72180&d=24&m=10&y=2005



Banning of Mobile Camera Phones

Initially, when the mobile camera phones first started penetrating into the market, it was faced with harsh setback in the middle eastern countries such as Saudi Arabia.

In Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Saudi Arabia's highest religious authority has barred the use of mobile phones with built-in cameras, blaming them for "spreading obscenity." The edict, which follows a failed ban on the sale and import of the wildly popular devices, is the most sweeping attempt by any nation to prevent the voyeurism invited by the new technology. And a common knowledge in Saudi Arabia is that women are sensitive to being photographed, especially without their veils. However, as much as the government tried to stop the people from using these mobile camera phones, it did not meet with much success. Because of their popularity, the ban on camera cell phones could fizzle like a similar crackdown on satellite dish antennas. Several years ago, the government launched a halfhearted campaign to ban satellite dishes to placate ultra-religious factions opposed to Saudis watching foreign television channels that show unveiled women, and more.

Despite the ban, rooftops in every Saudi city are covered with them, and subscriptions to a variety of foreign channels are freely sold