Yesterday several Saudi newspapers, including Arab News and al-Watan, published a very unusual photograph showing King Abdullah and Crown Prince Sultan surrounded by a group of more than 30 women. (The complete picture is here.)

The women attended a National Dialogue forum on "society and health services" in Najran on April 8-10. Al-Watan says the king was "keen to emphasise the role of women and their active participation in the development process". Those taking part in the forum received copies of the photo when they returned home.

Though the forum itself was not of much consequence, the picture is remarkable. Viewed in the context of the ongoing debate about gender mixing in Saudi Arabia, it can be interpreted as a sign that the king is trying to nudge the country in a more liberal direction.

The Saudi Jeans blog notes that the photo was taken on April 11 and suggests that newspapers held back from publishing it while awaiting official approval.

Posted by Brian Whitaker, 1 May 2010.