Saudi Arabia Revises School Textbooks, Removes Negative References to LGBTQ+ People

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has reportedly revised portions of its national school curriculum, removing or modifying language that portrayed LGBTQ+ people negatively. The changes are part of a broader effort to update educational materials as the Kingdom continues social and educational reforms.

Changes Made to Islamic Studies Textbooks

According to reports, some lessons containing strongly negative descriptions of homosexuality and traditional interpretations of gender roles have been removed or rewritten. The revisions are particularly noticeable in Islamic Studies textbooks used by secondary-school students.

One reported change concerns a Grade 11 Islamic Studies textbook. Earlier editions included a question asking students to explain why the Saudi government did not legalize homosexuality. 

The related material also reportedly contained derogatory terminology and presented homosexuality in strongly negative terms.

In the revised edition, the question and associated wording have been removed. The change represents a notable adjustment in how sexual orientation is discussed in educational material, although it does not indicate a change in Saudi Arabia's laws concerning same-sex relationships.

Gender-Related Lessons Also Revised

Other sections of the curriculum dealing with gender roles have reportedly undergone revisions. Lessons that portrayed men and women through rigid or strongly hierarchical gender roles have either been changed or removed.

These revisions suggest that educational authorities are reviewing not only religious and social topics but also how Saudi textbooks present gender and contemporary social issues.

Part of Wider Education Reforms

The latest changes are part of a broader transformation of Saudi educational content. Over recent years, the Kingdom has gradually revised material that international observers considered intolerant toward different religious, ethnic and social groups.

Previous textbook reforms have reportedly included changes to passages concerning Jews, Christians and other communities. Some expressions and religious references considered hostile or discriminatory have been removed or replaced with more neutral language.

Saudi Arabia Continues Modernization Drive

The education reforms come as Saudi Arabia pursues wide-ranging economic and social changes associated with its Vision 2030 program. 

The Kingdom has introduced reforms across tourism, entertainment, employment and women's participation in public life while seeking to diversify its economy beyond oil.

Education is an important part of this transformation, with authorities seeking to modernize curricula and prepare younger generations for the country's changing economic and social environment.

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Laws on Same-Sex Relationships Remain Unchanged

Despite the textbook revisions, the changes should not be interpreted as the legalization or official acceptance of same-sex relationships in Saudi Arabia. The country's legal and social framework remains highly conservative, and restrictions affecting LGBTQ+ people continue to exist.

Instead, the curriculum revisions appear to reflect an effort to reduce explicitly hostile or discriminatory language in educational materials without changing the country's existing legal position.

A Gradual Shift in Educational Content

The removal of negative references represents another notable development in Saudi Arabia's evolving education policy. It shows how the Kingdom's school curriculum is being reshaped alongside broader social and economic reforms.

While the revisions do not signal a fundamental change in Saudi policy toward LGBTQ+ issues, they demonstrate a shift in how sensitive social topics are presented to students. The development also highlights the government's continuing effort to modernize educational materials while balancing reform with the Kingdom's established religious and cultural framework.