Saudi Arabia: New rules for naming public facilities and a ban on the names of kings
In a regulatory move aimed at enhancing governance and regulating the urban landscape in Saudi Arabia, the Cabinet issued a decision approving new rules and standards for naming public facilities. This decision comes as part of the Kingdom's efforts to modernize its systems in line with Vision 2030, ensuring that names align with the established legal, cultural, and historical values of the state.
The use of royal and sovereign names is prohibited except under specific regulations
The new regulations explicitly and firmly stipulate that the names of the Kings of Saudi Arabia, Crown Princes, or heads of state of brotherly and friendly nations may not be used for any public facility without prior approval from the highest authority. This provision aims to preserve the symbolic significance and prestige of these sovereign names and ensure their appropriate use, preventing arbitrary or individual interpretations in different regions and provinces.
Organizational and historical context for urban development
This decision represents a fundamental update to previous regulations, as the new rules stipulate the cancellation of the provisions related to naming streets and squares issued in 1406 AH (1986 CE), and anything that conflicts with them. This move reflects the state's commitment to keeping pace with the massive urban expansion witnessed by Saudi cities, where a unified system is urgently needed to prevent the duplication of names and facilitate spatial referencing, thus supporting the national geospatial data infrastructure.
Legal and ethical guidelines for naming
Regarding religious and social standards, the regulations prohibited naming facilities after individuals whose names contradict Islamic law. They also absolutely forbade the use of the Beautiful Names of God, with the exception of a specific list that included: (Peace, Justice, The First, Light, Truth, Martyr, King). To further ensure accuracy, the regulations mandated that government agencies verify the security and criminal records of individuals whose names were proposed for the facilities, to guarantee they had no prior convictions and that their ideological leanings were sound, befitting the honor of having their name associated with a public facility serving the citizens.
Implementation mechanisms and timeframe
To ensure effective implementation, the decision grants government agencies a 120-day grace period from the effective date of the regulations to review and correct the names of existing facilities. It also mandates that these agencies establish comprehensive and up-to-date databases of their facility names and provide them to the General Authority for Survey and Geospatial Information annually. This regulation is expected to contribute to improving the urban landscape, facilitating logistical services, and supporting the tourism sector by standardizing addresses and landmarks across the Kingdom.
