Will the Saudi regime ever understand that this is not a legitimate role for governments? The Ministry of Culture has just approved a set of rules for the "licensing" (i.e. control) of literary clubs, Arab News reports:

"The bylaws stipulate that a literary club should be licensed by the ministry and should have the primary goal of promoting Arabic literary and cultural activities with a stress on highlighting cultural and literary production and history in the region where the club is working in particular and of the kingdom in general."

Along with other stipulations about how such clubs should conduct their activities, the new rules require any club to have 10 board members and set the annual membership fee for voting members at 300 riyals ($80) for voting members.

It goes on:

Board members will elect their chairmen, deputy chairmen, administrative managers and finance managers under the supervision of the ministry. The chairman of the board should be at least 30 years old and the board’s term will be for four years.

With the resignation of half of the members, including the chairman, at a single go and with the permission of the ministry the board will be dissolved.

Why on earth should anyone need a licence to discuss literature? And why can't literary clubs organise their affairs themselves? The answer, presumably, is that nanny – in the shape of the Saudi culture ministry – always knows what's best for you.

Posted by Brian Whitaker, 9 May 2011.