NEOM, a transformative project in northwestern Saudi Arabia, appears to embody the concept of a fresh beginning. However, this narrative overlooks a rich history associated with the land. Before being designated as the site for a futuristic city as part of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s Vision 2030 plan, the region was home to vibrant communities and significant archaeological artifacts attesting to millennia of human activity.
The Rich History of Tabuk
Tabuk is one of the most historically rich areas on the Arabian Peninsula. With archaeological sites reflecting centuries of human presence, the region is a treasure trove of ancient history. Notably, the rock-cut tombs of Maghair Shuaib, located just south of al-Bda’, bear Nabataean carvings that speak to a long-standing trading culture. The Hisma desert is home to even older inscriptions and rock drawings that date back thousands of years, providing a written record of the various languages and tribal identities that traversed the area.
In addition to Nabataean sites, the Kilwa area holds some of the province’s oldest rock carvings. The Hejaz Railway, which served the Ottoman Empire, also passed through this historically significant territory. These layers of history contradict the marketing narrative of an unoccupied or “blank” land. The Huwaitat tribe, who have lived in the region for generations, are a living connection to this deep history.
The Displacement of the Huwaitat Tribe
Commencing in early 2020, the Saudi government began displacing members of the Huwaitat tribe from their homes in villages like Al-Khuraybah, Sharma, and Gayal. Many residents report inadequate compensation and lack of choice regarding their relocation, underscoring a growing tension between the government’s developmental ambitions and indigenous rights. Notably, Abdul Rahim al-Huwaiti, a tribesman who voiced opposition, was killed by Saudi security forces in April 2020, raising serious questions about the methods employed to enforce these displacements.
Reports of the situation reveal a troubling dynamic. In January 2023, Saudi Arabia’s Specialised Criminal Court sentenced three Huwaitat members to death for peacefully opposing the evictions through social media. This harsh response was met with international concern, as UN human rights experts condemned the treatment of the Huwaitat and highlighted the importance of obtaining free, prior, and informed consent before executing such significant land use changes.
The Future of NEOM: Uncertainty and Setbacks
While NEOM is intended to represent the future, the project has encountered numerous challenges. Initial cost estimates have skyrocketed, and construction timelines have extended significantly. As of 2025, work on The Line, one of NEOM’s most ambitious components, had barely begun, with only a fraction of the planned infrastructure completed. Moreover, the vision of a thriving city with millions of residents has been scaled back drastically, with ambitious 2030 population targets immediately in question.
These delays raise significant ethical concerns regarding the dislocation of the Huwaitat tribe. Many families still lack resolution about their land, compensation, or potential return. The palpable disconnect between the government’s narrative of progress and the reality of human impact illustrates the complicated interplay of development and human rights in Saudi Arabia.
Future Implications and Important Questions
Three pressing inquiries arise from the situation surrounding NEOM. What will happen to the death sentences imposed on the three Huwaitat men? Will members of the tribe receive any form of restitution, or will they be permanently removed from their ancestral lands? Furthermore, how will the region’s rich archaeological heritage be preserved when so much is at stake amidst ongoing development?
As ambitious projects develop on lands steeped in history, they serve to remind us that the past is an integral part of the narrative. NEOM’s aspirational vision stands as a stark contrast to the lived realities of the Huwaitat tribe, who were displaced to make way for this future—an unsettling reminder of the costs that can accompany progress.