Saudi Arabia
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia المملكة العربية السعودية al-Mamlaka al-ʿArabiyya as-Suʿūdiyya | |
|---|---|
| Motto: لا إله إلا الله، محمد رسول الله Lā ilāha illallāh, Muḥammadun rasūlullāh "There is no god but God, Muhammad is the Messenger of God"[1][a] (shahada) | |
| Anthem: النشيد الوطني السعودي "an-Našīd al-Waṭanīy as-Saʿūdī" "Chant of the Saudi Nation" | |
.svg) _-_SAU_-_UNOCHA.svg) | |
| Capital and largest city | Riyadh 24°39′N 46°46′E / 24.650°N 46.767°E |
| Official languages | Arabic[5] |
| Ethnic groups | 90% Arab 10% Afro-Arab (for Saudi citizens only) |
| Religion (2010)[7] |
|
| Demonym(s) |
|
| Government | Unitary Islamic absolute monarchy |
• King | Salman |
• Crown Prince and Prime Minister | Mohammed bin Salman |
| Legislature | none[c] |
| Establishment | |
| 1727 | |
| 1824 | |
| 13 January 1902 | |
| 23 September 1932 | |
| 24 October 1945 | |
| 31 January 1992 | |
| Area | |
• Total | 2,149,690[11] km2 (830,000 sq mi) (12th) |
• Water (%) | 0.0 |
| Population | |
• 2022 census |  32,175,224[12] (46th) |
• Density | 15/km2 (38.8/sq mi) (174th) |
| GDP (PPP) | 2024 estimate |
• Total |  $2.112 trillion[13] (17th) |
• Per capita | $63,117[13] (15th) |
| GDP (nominal) | 2024 estimate |
• Total | $1.100 trillion[13] (19th) |
• Per capita | $32,881[13] (34th) |
| Gini (2013) |  45.9[14]medium inequality |
| HDI (2022) | 0.875[15] very high (40th) |
| Currency | Saudi riyal (SR)[d] (SAR) |
| Time zone | UTC+3 (AST) |
| Date format | dd/mm/yyyy (AH) |
| Drives on | right |
| Calling code | +966 |
| ISO 3166 code | SA |
| Internet TLD | |
Saudi Arabia,[e] officially the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA),[f] is a country in West Asia. Located in the centre of the Middle East, it is one of the countries situated in the Gulf region. It covers the bulk of the Arabian Peninsula and has a land area of about 2,150,000 km2 (830,000 sq mi), making it the fifth-largest country in Asia, the largest in the Middle East, and the 12th-largest in the world.[17] It is bordered by the Red Sea to the west; Jordan, Iraq, and Kuwait to the north; the Persian Gulf, Bahrain,[18] Qatar and the United Arab Emirates to the east; Oman to the southeast; and Yemen to the south. The Gulf of Aqaba in the northwest separates Saudi Arabia from Egypt and Israel. Saudi Arabia is the only country with a coastline along both the Red Sea and the Persian Gulf, and most of its terrain consists of arid desert, lowland, steppe, and mountains. The capital and largest city is Riyadh; other major cities include Jeddah and the two holiest cities in Islam, Mecca and Medina. With a population of almost 32.2 million, Saudi Arabia is the fourth most populous country in the Arab world.
Pre-Islamic Arabia, the territory that constitutes modern-day Saudi Arabia, was the site of several ancient cultures and civilizations; the prehistory of Saudi Arabia shows some of the earliest traces of human activity outside Africa.[19] Islam, the world's second-largest religion,[20] emerged in what is now Saudi Arabia in the early seventh century. Islamic prophet Muhammad united the population of the Arabian Peninsula and created a single Islamic religious polity. Following his death in 632, his followers expanded Muslim rule beyond Arabia, conquering territories in North Africa, Central, South Asia and Iberia within decades.[21][22][23] Arab dynasties originating from modern-day Saudi Arabia founded the Rashidun (632–661), Umayyad (661–750), Abbasid (750–1517), and Fatimid (909–1171) caliphates, as well as numerous other dynasties in Asia, Africa, and Europe.
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was founded in 1932 by King Abdulaziz (also known as Ibn Saud), who united the regions of Hejaz, Najd, parts of Eastern Arabia (Al-Ahsa) and South Arabia ('Asir) into a single state through a series of conquests, beginning in 1902 with the capture of Riyadh, the ancestral home of his family, the House of Saud. Saudi Arabia has since been an absolute monarchy governed by an authoritarian regime without public input.[24] In its Basic Law, Saudi Arabia defines itself as a sovereign Arab Islamic state with Islam as its official religion and Arabic as its official language. The ultraconservative Wahhabi religious movement within Sunni Islam was the prevailing political and cultural force in the country until the 2000s.[25][26] The Saudi government has attracted criticism for various policies such as its intervention in the Yemeni Civil War, alleged sponsorship of terrorism, and widespread human rights abuses.[27][28]
Saudi Arabia is considered both a regional and middle power.[29][30] Since petroleum was discovered in the country in 1938,[31][32] the kingdom has become the world's third-largest oil producer and leading oil exporter, controlling the world's second-largest oil reserves and the sixth-largest gas reserves.[33] Saudi Arabia is categorized as a World Bank high-income economy and is the only Arab country among the G20 major economies.[34][35] The Saudi economy is the largest in the Middle East and the world's nineteenth largest by nominal GDP and seventeenth largest by PPP. Ranking very high in the Human Development Index,[36] Saudi Arabia offers tuition-free university education, no personal income tax,[37] and free universal health care. With its dependency on foreign labour, Saudi Arabia has the world's third-largest immigrant population. Saudi Arabians are among the world's youngest people, with approximately half being under 25 years old.[38][39] Saudi Arabia is an active and founding member of the Gulf Cooperation Council, United Nations, Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, Arab League, and OPEC, as well as a dialogue partner of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation.
Etymology
Following the amalgamation of the Kingdom of Hejaz and Nejd, Abdulaziz bin Saud issued a royal decree on 23 September 1932 naming the new state al-Mamlaka al-ʿArabiyya as-Suʿūdiyya (Arabic المملكة العربية السعودية ), which is normally translated as "the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia" in English,[40] but literally means "the Saudi Arab Kingdom",[41] or "the Saudi Kingdom of Arabia" (compare the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan).
The word "Saudi" is derived from the element as-Suʿūdīyya in the Arabic name of the country, which is a type of adjective known as a nisba, formed from the dynastic name of the Saudi royal family, the Al Saud (Arabic: آل سعود). Its inclusion expresses the view that the country is the personal possession of the royal family.[42][43] Al Saud is an Arabic name formed by adding the word Al, meaning "family of" or "House of",[44] to the personal name of an ancestor. In the case of Al Saud, this is Saud ibn Muhammad ibn Muqrin, the father of the dynasty's 18th-century founder, Muhammad bin Saud.[45]
History
Prehistory
There is evidence that human habitation in the Arabian Peninsula dates back to about 125000 years ago.[46] A 2011 study found that the first modern humans to spread east across Asia left Africa about 75000 years ago across the Bab-el-Mandeb connecting the Horn of Africa and Arabia.[47] The Arabian Peninsula is regarded as central to the understanding of evolution and dispersals of Man. Arabia underwent an extreme environmental fluctuation in the Quaternary that led to profound evolutionary and demographic changes. Arabia has a rich Lower Paleolithic record, and the quantity of Oldowan-like sites in the region indicate a significant role that Arabia had played in the early hominin colonization of Eurasia.[48]
In the Neolithic period, prominent cultures such as Al-Magar, whose centre lay in modern-day southwestern Najd, flourished. Al-Magar could be considered a "Neolithic Revolution" in human knowledge and handicraft skills.[49] The culture is characterized as being one of the world's first to involve the widespread domestication of animals, particularly the horse, during the Neolithic period.[50][51] Al-Magar statues were made from local stone, and it seems that the statues were fixed in a central building that might have had a significant role in the social and religious life of the inhabitants.[52]
In November 2017, hunting scenes showing images of most likely domesticated dogs (resembling the Canaan Dog) and wearing leashes were discovered in Shuwaymis, a hilly region of northwestern Saudi Arabia. These rock engravings date back more than 8000 years, making them the earliest depictions of dogs in the world.[53]
At the end of the 4th millennium BC, Arabia entered the Bronze Age; metals were widely used, and the period was characterized by its 2 m high burials which were simultaneously followed by the existence of numerous temples that included many free-standing sculptures originally painted with red colours.[54]
In May 2021, archaeologists announced that a 350000-year-old Acheulean site named An Nasim in the Hail region could be the oldest human habitation site in northern Saudi Arabia. 354 artefacts, including hand axes and stone tools, provided information about the tool-making traditions of the earliest living man who inhabited southwest Asia. Paleolithic artefacts are similar to material remains uncovered at the Acheulean sites in the Nefud Desert.[55][56][57][58]
Pre-Islamic
The earliest sedentary culture in Saudi Arabia dates back to the Ubaid period at Dosariyah. Climatic change and the onset of aridity may have brought about the end of this phase of settlement, as little archaeological evidence exists from the succeeding millennium.[60] The settlement of the region picks up again in the period of Dilmun in the early 3rd millennium. Known records from Uruk refer to a place called Dilmun, associated on several occasions with copper, and in later periods it was a source of imported woods in southern Mesopotamia. Scholars have suggested that Dilmun originally designated the eastern province of Saudi Arabia, notably linked with the major Dilmunite settlements of Umm an-Nussi and Umm ar-Ramadh in the interior and Tarout on the coast. It is likely that Tarout Island was the main port and the capital of Dilmun.[59] Mesopotamian inscribed clay tablets suggest that, in the early period of Dilmun, a form of hierarchical organized political structure existed. In 1966, an earthwork in Tarout exposed an ancient burial field that yielded a large statue dating to the Dilmunite period (mid 3rd millennium BC). The statue was locally made under the strong Mesopotamian influence on the artistic principle of Dilmun.[59]
By 2200 BC, the centre of Dilmun shifted for unknown reasons from Tarout and the Saudi Arabian mainland to the island of Bahrain, and a highly developed settlement emerged there, where a laborious temple complex and thousands of burial mounds dating to this period were discovered.[59]
By the late Bronze Age, a historically recorded people and land (Midian and the Midianites) in the north-western portion of Saudi Arabia are well-documented in the Bible. Centred in Tabouk, it stretched from Wadi Arabah in the north to the area of al-Wejh in the south.[61] The capital of Midian was Qurayyah,[62] it consists of a large, fortified citadel encompassing 35 hectares and below it lies a walled settlement of 15 hectares. The city hosted as many as 12,000 inhabitants.[63] The Bible recounts Israel's two wars with Midian, somewhere in the early 11th century BC. Politically, the Midianites were described as having a decentralized structure headed by five kings (Evi, Rekem, Tsur, Hur, and Reba); the names appear to be toponyms of important Midianite settlements.[64] It is common to view that Midian designated a confederation of tribes, the sedentary element settled in the Hijaz while its nomadic affiliates pastured and sometimes pillaged as far away as Palestine.[65] The nomadic Midianites were one of the earliest exploiters of the domestication of camels that enabled them to navigate through the harsh terrains of the region.[65]
At the end of the 7th century BC, an emerging kingdom appeared in north-western Arabia. It started as a sheikdom of Dedan, which developed into the kingdom of Lihyan.[67][68] During this period, Dedan transformed into a kingdom that encompassed a much wider domain.[67] In the early 3rd century BC, with bustling economic activity between the south and north, Lihyan acquired large influence suitable to its strategic position on the caravan road.[69] The Lihyanites ruled over a large domain from Yathrib in the south and parts of the Levant in the north.[70] In antiquity, Gulf of Aqaba used to be called Gulf of Lihyan, a testimony to the extensive influence that Lihyan acquired.[71]
The Lihyanites fell into the hands of the Nabataeans around 65 BC upon their seizure of Hegra then marching to Tayma, and to their capital Dedan in 9 BC. The Nabataeans ruled large portions of north Arabia until their domain was annexed by the Roman Empire, which renamed it Arabia Petraea, and remained under the rule of the Romans until 630.[72]
Middle Ages and rise of Islam
Shortly before the advent of Islam, apart from urban trading settlements (such as Mecca and Medina), much of what was to become Saudi Arabia was populated by nomadic pastoral tribal societies.[75] The Islamic prophet Muhammad was born in Mecca in about 570 CE. In the early 7th century, Muhammad united the various tribes of the peninsula and created a single Islamic religious polity.[76] Following his death in 632, his followers expanded the territory under Muslim rule beyond Arabia, conquering territory in the Iberian Peninsula in the west to parts of Central and South Asia in the east[citation needed] in a matter of decades.[21][22][23] Arabia became a more politically peripheral region of the Muslim world as the focus shifted to the newly conquered lands.[76]
Arabs originating from modern-day Saudi Arabia, the Hejaz in particular, founded the Rashidun (632–661), Umayyad (661–750), Abbasid (750–1517), and the Fatimid (909–1171) caliphates. From the 10th century to the early 20th century, Mecca and Medina were under the control of a local Arab ruler known as the Sharif of Mecca, but at most times the sharif owed allegiance to the ruler of one of the major Islamic empires based in Baghdad, Cairo or Istanbul. Most of the remainder of what became Saudi Arabia reverted to traditional tribal rule.[77][78]
For much of the 10th century, the Isma'ili-Shi'ite Qarmatians were the most powerful force in the Persian Gulf. In 930, the Qarmatians pillaged Mecca, outraging the Muslim world, particularly with their theft of the Black Stone.[79] In 1077–1078, an Arab sheikh named Abdullah bin Ali Al Uyuni defeated the Qarmatians in Bahrain and al-Hasa with the help of the Seljuq Empire and founded the Uyunid dynasty.[80][81] The Uyunid Emirate later underwent expansion with its territory stretching from Najd to the Syrian Desert.[82] They were overthrown by the Usfurids in 1253.[83] Usfurid rule was weakened after Persian rulers of Hormuz captured Bahrain and Qatif in 1320.[84] The vassals of Ormuz, the Shia Jarwanid dynasty came to rule eastern Arabia in the 14th century.[85][86] The Jabrids took control of the region after overthrowing the Jarwanids in the 15th century and clashed with Hormuz for more than two decades over the region for its economic revenues, until finally agreeing to pay tribute in 1507.[85] Al-Muntafiq tribe later took over the region and came under Ottoman suzerainty. The Bani Khalid tribe later revolted against them in the 17th century and took control.[87] Their rule extended from Iraq to Oman at its height, and they too came under Ottoman suzerainty.[88][89]
Ottoman Hejaz
In the 16th century, the Ottomans added the Red Sea and Persian Gulf coast (the Hejaz, Asir and Al-Ahsa) to the empire and claimed suzerainty over the interior. One reason was to thwart Portuguese attempts to attack the Red Sea (hence the Hejaz) and the Indian Ocean.[90] The Ottoman degree of control over these lands varied over the next four centuries with the fluctuating strength or weakness of the empire's central authority.[91][92] These changes contributed to later uncertainties, such as the dispute with Transjordan over the inclusion of the sanjak of Ma'an, including the cities of Ma'an and Aqaba.[citation needed]
Saud dynasty and unification
The emergence of what was to become the Saudi royal family, known as the Al Saud, began at the town of Diriyah in Nejd in central Arabia with the accession as emir of Muhammad bin Saud on 22 February 1727.[93][94] In 1744 he joined forces with the religious leader Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab,[95] founder of the Wahhabi movement, a strict puritanical form of Sunni Islam.[96] This alliance provided the ideological impetus to Saudi expansion and remains the basis of Saudi Arabian dynastic rule today.[97]
The Emirate of Diriyah established in the area around Riyadh rapidly expanded and briefly controlled most of the present-day territory of Saudi Arabia, sacking Karbala in 1802, and capturing Mecca in 1803. In 1818, it was destroyed by the Ottoman viceroy of Egypt, Mohammed Ali Pasha.[98] The much smaller Emirate of Nejd was established in 1824. Throughout the rest of the 19th century, the Al Saud contested control of the interior of what was to become Saudi Arabia with another Arabian ruling family, the Al Rashid, who ruled the Emirate of Jabal Shammar. By 1891, the Al Rashid were victorious and the Al Saud were driven into exile in Kuwait.[77]
At the beginning of the 20th century, the Ottoman Empire continued to control or have a suzerainty over most of the peninsula. Subject to this suzerainty, Arabia was ruled by a patchwork of tribal rulers,[99][100] with the Sharif of Mecca having pre-eminence and ruling the Hejaz.[101] In 1902, Abdul Rahman's son, Abdul Aziz—later known as Ibn Saud—recaptured control of Riyadh bringing the Al Saud back to Nejd, creating the third "Saudi state".[77] Ibn Saud gained the support of the Ikhwan, a tribal army inspired by Wahhabism and led by Faisal Al-Dawish, and which had grown quickly after its foundation in 1912.[102] With the aid of the Ikhwan, Ibn Saud captured Al-Ahsa from the Ottomans in 1913.
In 1916, with the encouragement and support of Britain (which was fighting the Ottomans in World War I), the Sharif of Mecca, Hussein bin Ali, led a pan-Arab Revolt against the Ottoman Empire to create a united Arab state.[103] Although the revolt failed in its objective, the Allied victory in World War I resulted in the end of Ottoman suzerainty and control in Arabia, and Hussein bin Ali became King of Hejaz.[104]
Ibn Saud avoided involvement in the Arab Revolt and instead continued his struggle with the Al Rashid. Following the latter's final defeat, he took the title Sultan of Nejd in 1921. With the help of the Ikhwan, the Kingdom of Hejaz was conquered in 1924–25, and on 10 January 1926, Ibn Saud declared himself king of Hejaz.[105] For the next five years, he administered the two parts of his dual kingdom as separate units.[77]
After the conquest of the Hejaz, the Ikhwan leadership's objective switched to expansion of the Wahhabist realm into the British protectorates of Transjordan, Iraq and Kuwait, and began raiding those territories. This met with Ibn Saud's opposition, as he recognized the danger of a direct conflict with the British. At the same time, the Ikhwan became disenchanted with Ibn Saud's domestic policies which appeared to favour modernization and the increase in the number of non-Muslim foreigners in the country. As a result, they turned against Ibn Saud and, after a two-year struggle, were defeated in 1929 at the Battle of Sabilla, where their leaders were massacred.[106] On Ibn Saud's behalf, Prince Faisal declared the unification on 23 September 1932, and the two kingdoms of Hejaz and Nejd were unified as the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.[77] That date is now a national holiday called Saudi National Day.[107]
20th century
The new kingdom was reliant on limited agriculture and pilgrimage revenues.[108] In 1938, vast reserves of oil were discovered in the Al-Ahsa region along the coast of the Persian Gulf, and full-scale development of the oil fields began in 1941 under the US-controlled Aramco (Arabian American Oil Company). Oil provided Saudi Arabia with economic prosperity and substantial political leverage internationally.[77] Cultural life rapidly developed, primarily in the Hejaz, which was the centre for newspapers and radio. However, the large influx of foreign workers in Saudi Arabia in the oil industry increased the pre-existing propensity for xenophobia. At the same time, the government became increasingly wasteful and extravagant. By the 1950s this had led to large governmental deficits and excessive foreign borrowing.[77] In 1953, Saud of Saudi Arabia succeeded as the king of Saudi Arabia. In 1964 he was deposed in favour of his half brother Faisal of Saudi Arabia, after an intense rivalry, fuelled by doubts in the royal family over Saud's competence. In 1972, Saudi Arabia gained a 20% control in Aramco, thereby decreasing US control over Saudi oil.[109] In 1973, Saudi Arabia led an oil boycott against the Western countries that supported Israel in the Yom Kippur War against Egypt and Syria, leading to the quadrupling of oil prices.[77] In 1975, Faisal was assassinated by his nephew, Prince Faisal bin Musaid and was succeeded by his half-brother King Khalid.[110]
By 1976, Saudi Arabia had become the largest oil producer in the world.[111] Khalid's reign saw economic and social development progress at an extremely rapid rate, transforming the infrastructure and educational system of the country;[77] in foreign policy, close ties with the US were developed.[110] In 1979, two events occurred which greatly concerned the government[112] and had a long-term influence on Saudi foreign and domestic policy. The first was the Iranian Islamic Revolution. It was feared that the country's Shi'ite minority in the Eastern Province (which is also the location of the oil fields) might rebel under the influence of their Iranian co-religionists. There were several anti-government uprisings in the region such as the 1979 Qatif Uprising.[113] The second event was the Grand Mosque Seizure in Mecca by Islamist extremists. The militants involved were in part angered by what they considered to be the corruption and un-Islamic nature of the Saudi government.[113] The government regained control of the mosque after 10 days, and those captured were executed. Part of the response of the royal family was to enforce the much stricter observance of traditional religious and social norms in the country (for example, the closure of cinemas) and to give the ulema a greater role in government.[114] Neither entirely succeeded as Islamism continued to grow in strength.[115]
In 1980, Saudi Arabia bought out the American interests in Aramco.[116] King Khalid died of a heart attack in June 1982. He was succeeded by his brother, King Fahd, who added the title "Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques" to his name in 1986 in response to considerable fundamentalist pressure to avoid the use of "majesty" in association with anything except God. Fahd continued to develop close relations with the United States and increased the purchase of American and British military equipment.[77] The vast wealth generated by oil revenues was beginning to have an even greater impact on Saudi society. It led to rapid technological (but not cultural) modernization, urbanization, mass public education, and the creation of new media. This and the presence of increasingly large numbers of foreign workers greatly affected traditional Saudi norms and values. Although there was a dramatic change in the social and economic life of the country, political power continued to be monopolized by the royal family[77] leading to discontent among many Saudis who began to look for wider participation in government.[117]
In the 1980s, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait spent $25 billion in support of Saddam Hussein in the Iran–Iraq War (1980–1988);[118] however, Saudi Arabia condemned the invasion of Kuwait in 1990 and asked the United States to intervene.[77] King Fahd allowed American and coalition troops to be stationed in Saudi Arabia. He invited the Kuwaiti government and many of its citizens to stay in Saudi Arabia, but expelled citizens of Yemen and Jordan because of their governments' support of Iraq. In 1991, Saudi Arabian forces were involved both in bombing raids on Iraq and in the land invasion that helped to liberate Kuwait, which became known as the Gulf War (1990–1991).[109]
Saudi Arabia's relations with the West was one of the issues that led to an increase in Islamist terrorism in Saudi Arabia, as well as Islamist terrorist attacks in Western countries by Saudi nationals. Osama bin Laden was a Saudi citizen (until stripped of his citizenship in 1994) and was responsible for the 1998 U.S. embassy bombings in East Africa and the 2000 USS Cole bombing near the port of Aden, Yemen. 15 of the hijackers involved in the September 11 attacks were Saudi nationals.[119] Many Saudis who did not support the Islamist terrorists were nevertheless deeply unhappy with the government's policies.[120]
Islamism was not the only source of hostility to the government. Although extremely wealthy by the 21st century, Saudi Arabia's economy was near stagnant. High taxes and a growth in unemployment have contributed to discontent and have been reflected in a rise in civil unrest, and discontent with the royal family. In response, a number of limited reforms were initiated by King Fahd. In March 1992, he introduced the "Basic Law", which emphasized the duties and responsibilities of a ruler. In December 1993, the Consultative Council was inaugurated. It is composed of a chairman and 60 members—all chosen by the King. Fahd made it clear that he did not have democracy in mind, saying: "A system based on elections is not consistent with our Islamic creed, which [approves of] government by consultation [shūrā]."[77]
In 1995, Fahd suffered a debilitating stroke, and the Crown Prince, Abdullah, assumed the role of de facto regent; however, his authority was hindered by conflict with Fahd's full brothers (known, with Fahd, as the "Sudairi Seven").[121]
21st century
Signs of discontent included, in 2003 and 2004, a series of bombings and armed violence in Riyadh, Jeddah, Yanbu and Khobar.[122] In February–April 2005, the first-ever nationwide municipal elections were held in Saudi Arabia. Women were not allowed to take part.[77]
In 2005, King Fahd died and was succeeded by Abdullah, who continued the policy of minimum reform and clamping down on protests. The king introduced economic reforms aimed at reducing the country's reliance on oil revenue: limited deregulation, encouragement of foreign investment, and privatization. In February 2009, Abdullah announced a series of governmental changes to the judiciary, armed forces, and various ministries to modernize these institutions including the replacement of senior appointees in the judiciary and the Mutaween (religious police) with more moderate individuals and the appointment of the country's first female deputy minister.[77]
On 29 January 2011, hundreds of protesters gathered in Jeddah in a rare display of criticism against the city's poor infrastructure after flooding killed 11 people.[123] Police stopped the demonstration after about 15 minutes and arrested 30 to 50 people.[124]
Since 2011, Saudi Arabia has been affected by its own Arab Spring protests.[125] In response, King Abdullah announced on 22 February 2011 a series of benefits for citizens amounting to $36 billion, of which $10.7 billion was earmarked for housing.[126][127][128] No political reforms were included, though some prisoners indicted for financial crimes were pardoned.[129] Abdullah also announced a package of $93 billion, which included 500000 new homes to a cost of $67 billion, in addition to creating 60000 new security jobs.[130][131] Although male-only municipal elections were held on 29 September 2011,[132][133] Abdullah allowed women to vote and be elected in the 2015 municipal elections, and also to be nominated to the Shura Council.[134]
Geography
Saudi Arabia occupies about 80% of the Arabian Peninsula (the world's largest peninsula),[137] lying between latitudes 16° and 33° N, and longitudes 34° and 56° E. Because the country's southeastern and southern borders with the United Arab Emirates and Oman are not precisely marked, the exact size of the country is undefined.[137] The United Nations Statistics Division estimates 2149690 km2 (830000 sq mi) and lists Saudi Arabia as the world's 12th largest state. It is geographically the largest country in the Middle East and on the Arabian Plate.[138]
Saudi Arabia's geography is dominated by the Arabian Desert, associated semi-desert, shrubland, steppes, several mountain ranges, volcanic lava fields and highlands. The 647500 km2 (250001 sq mi) Rub' al Khali ("Empty Quarter") in the southeastern part of the country is the world's largest contiguous sand desert.[139][140] Though there are lakes in the country, Saudi Arabia is the largest country in the world by area with no permanent rivers. Wadis, non-permanent rivers, however, are very numerous throughout the kingdom. The fertile areas are to be found in the alluvial deposits in wadis, basins, and oases.[139] There are approximately 1,300 islands in the Red Sea and Arabian Gulf.[141]
The main topographical feature is the central plateau which rises abruptly from the Red Sea and gradually descends into the Nejd and toward the Arabian Gulf. On the Red Sea coast, there is a narrow coastal plain, known as the Tihamah, parallel to which runs along an imposing escarpment. The southwest province of Asir is mountainous and contains the 3002 m (9849 ft) Jabal Ferwa, which is the highest point in the country.[139] Saudi Arabia is home to more than 2,000 dormant volcanoes.[135] Lava fields in Hejaz, known locally by their Arabic name of harrat (the singular is harrah), form one of Earth's largest alkali basalt regions, covering some 180,000 square kilometres (69,000 sq mi).[136]
Except for the southwestern regions such as Asir, Saudi Arabia has a desert climate with very high day-time temperatures during the summer and a sharp temperature drop at night. Average summer temperatures are around 45 °C (113 °F) but can be as high as 54 °C (129 °F). In the winter the temperature rarely drops below 0 °C (32 °F) with the exception of mostly the northern regions of the country where annual snowfall, in particular in the mountainous regions of Tabuk Province, is not uncommon.[142] The lowest recorded temperature, −12.0 °C (10.4 °F), was measured in Turaif.[143] Of the Gulf states, Saudi Arabia is likely to experience snowfalls most frequently.[144]
In the spring and autumn the heat is temperate, temperatures average around 29 °C (84 °F). Annual rainfall is very low. The southern regions differ in that they are influenced by the Indian Ocean monsoons, usually occurring between October and March. An average of 300 mm (12 in) of rainfall occurs during this period, which is about 60% of the annual precipitation.[145]
Biodiversity
.jpg)
Saudi Arabia is home to five terrestrial ecoregions: Arabian Peninsula coastal fog desert, Southwestern Arabian foothills savanna, Southwestern Arabian montane woodlands, Arabian Desert, and Red Sea Nubo-Sindian tropical desert and semi-desert.[146] Wildlife includes the Arabian leopard,[147][148] Arabian wolf, striped hyena, mongoose, baboon, Cape hare, sand cat, and jerboa. Animals such as gazelles, oryx, leopards and cheetahs[149] were relatively numerous until the 19th century, when extensive hunting reduced these animals almost to extinction. The culturally important Asiatic lion occurred in Saudi Arabia until the late 19th century before it was hunted to extinction in the wild.[150] Birds include falcons (which are caught and trained for hunting), eagles, hawks, vultures, sandgrouse, and bulbuls. There are several species of snakes, many of which are venomous. Domesticated animals include the legendary Arabian horse, Arabian camel, sheep, goats, cattle, donkeys, chickens, etc.
The Red Sea is a rich and diverse ecosystem with more than 1,200 species of fish[151] around 10% of which are endemic.[152] This also includes 42 species of deep water fish.[151] The rich diversity is partly owed to the 2000 km (1240 mi) of coral reef extending along the coastline; these fringing reefs are largely formed of stony acropora and porites corals. The reefs form platforms and sometimes lagoons along the coast and occasional other features such as cylinders (such as the Blue Hole at Dahab). These coastal reefs are also visited by pelagic species, including some of the 44 species of shark. There are many offshore reefs including several atolls. Many of the unusual offshore reef formations defy classic (i.e., Darwinian) coral reef classification schemes and are generally attributed to the high levels of tectonic activity that characterize the area.
Reflecting the country's dominant desert conditions, plant life mostly consists of herbs, plants, and shrubs that require little water. The date palm (Phoenix dactylifera) is widespread.[139]
Government and politics
_(cropped).jpg)
Saudi Arabia is an absolute monarchy;[153] however, according to the Basic Law of Saudi Arabia adopted by royal decree in 1992, the king must comply with Sharia (Islamic law) and the Quran, while the Quran and the Sunnah (the traditions of Muhammad) are declared to be the country's constitution.[154] No political parties or national elections are permitted.[153] While some critics consider it to be a totalitarian state,[155][156] others regard it as lacking aspects of totalitarianism but nevertheless classify it as an authoritarian regime.[157][158][159] The Economist ranked the Saudi government 150th out of 167 in its 2022 Democracy Index,[160] and Freedom House gave it its lowest "Not Free" rating, giving it a score of 8 out of 100 for 2023.[161] According to the 2023 V-Dem Democracy Indices, Saudi Arabia is the least democratic country in the Middle East.[162]
In the absence of national elections and political parties,[153] politics in Saudi Arabia takes place in two distinct arenas: within the royal family, the Al Saud, and between the royal family and the rest of Saudi society.[163] Outside of the Al Saud, participation in the political process is limited to a relatively small segment of the population and takes the form of the royal family consulting with the ulema, tribal sheikhs, and members of important commercial families on major decisions.[139] This process is not reported by the Saudi media.[164]
By custom, all males of full age have a right to petition the king directly through the traditional tribal meeting known as the majlis.[165] In many ways the approach to government differs little from the traditional system of tribal rule. Tribal identity remains strong, and outside of the royal family, political influence is frequently determined by tribal affiliation, with tribal sheikhs maintaining a considerable degree of influence over local and national events.[139] In recent years there have been limited steps to widen political participation such as the establishment of the Consultative Council in the early 1990s and the National Dialogue Forum in 2003.[166] In 2005, the first municipal elections were held. In 2007, the Allegiance Council was created to regulate the succession.[166] In 2009, the king made significant personnel changes to the government by appointing reformers to key positions and the first woman to a ministerial post;[167][168] however, these changes have been criticized as being too slow or merely cosmetic.[169]
The rule of the Al Saud faces political opposition from four sources: Sunni Islamist activism; liberal critics; the Shi'ite minority—particularly in the Eastern Province; and long-standing tribal and regionalist particularistic opponents (for example in the Hejaz).[170] Of these, the minority activists have been the most prominent threat to the government and have in recent years been involved in violent incidents in the country.[122] However, open protest against the government, even if peaceful, is not tolerated.[171]
Monarchy and royal family
The king combines legislative, executive, and judicial functions[139] and royal decrees form the basis of the country's legislation.[172] The prime minister presides over the Council of Ministers of Saudi Arabia and Consultative Assembly of Saudi Arabia. The king has usually been also the prime minister, with two exceptions: Crown Prince Faisal, who was prime minister during the reign of King Saud,[173] and Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman, the current prime minister since 2022.[174] The royal family dominates the political system. The family's vast numbers allows it to control most of the kingdom's important posts and to have an involvement and presence at all levels of government.[175] The number of princes is estimated to be at least 7000, with most power and influence being wielded by the 200 or so male descendants of Ibn Saud.[176] The key ministries are generally reserved for the royal family,[153] as are the 13 regional governorships.[177]
The Saudi government[178][179][180] and the royal family[181][182][183] have often been accused of corruption over many years,[184] and this continues into the 21st century.[185] In a country that is said to "belong" to the royal family and is named for them,[43] the lines between state assets and the personal wealth of senior princes are blurred.[176] The extent of corruption has been described as systemic[186] and endemic,[187] and its existence was acknowledged[188] and defended[189] by Prince Bandar bin Sultan (a senior member of the royal family)[190] in an interview in 2001.[191]
In its Corruption Perceptions Index for 2010, Transparency International gave Saudi Arabia a score of 4.7 (on a scale from 0 to 10 where 0 is "highly corrupt" and 10 is "highly clean").[192] Saudi Arabia has undergone a process of political and social reform, such as to increase public transparency and good governance, but nepotism and patronage are widespread when doing business in the country; the enforcement of the anti-corruption laws is selective and public officials engage in corruption with impunity. As many as 500 people, including prominent Saudi Arabian princes, government ministers, and businesspeople, were arrested in an anti-corruption campaign in November 2017.[193]
Al ash-Sheikh and role of the ulema
Saudi Arabia is unique in giving the ulema (the body of Islamic religious leaders and jurists) a direct role in government.[194] The preferred ulema are of the Salafi movement. The ulema have been a key influence in major government decisions, for example the imposition of the oil embargo in 1973 and the invitation to foreign troops to Saudi Arabia in 1990.[195] In addition, they have had a major role in the judicial and education systems[196] and a monopoly of authority in religious and social morals.[197]
By the 1970s, as a result of oil wealth and the modernization initiated by King Faisal, important changes to Saudi society were underway, and the power of the ulema was in decline.[198] However, this changed following the seizure of the Grand Mosque in Mecca in 1979 by Islamist radicals.[199] The government's response to the crisis included strengthening the ulema's powers and increasing their financial support:[114] in particular, they were given greater control over the education system[199] and allowed to enforce the stricter observance of Wahhabi rules of moral and social behaviour.[114] After his accession to the throne in 2005, King Abdullah took steps to reduce the powers of the ulema, for instance transferring control over girls' education to the Ministry of Education.[200]
The ulema have historically been led by the Al ash-Sheikh,[201] the country's leading religious family.[197] The Al ash-Sheikh are the descendants of Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab, the 18th-century founder of the Wahhabi form of Sunni Islam which is today dominant in Saudi Arabia.[202] The family is second in prestige only to the Al Saud (the royal family)[203] with whom they formed a "mutual support pact"[204] and power-sharing arrangement nearly 300 years ago.[195] The pact, which persists to this day,[204] is based on the Al Saud maintaining the Al ash-Sheikh's authority in religious matters and upholding and propagating Wahhabi doctrine. In return, the Al ash-Sheikh support the Al Saud's political authority[205] thereby using its religious-moral authority to legitimize the royal family's rule.[206] Although the Al ash-Sheikh's domination of the ulema has diminished in recent decades,[207] they still hold the most important religious posts and are closely linked to the Al Saud by a high degree of intermarriage.[197]
Legal system
The primary source of law is the Islamic Sharia derived from the teachings of the Qur'an and the Sunnah (the traditions of the Prophet).[172] Saudi Arabia is unique among modern Muslim states in that Sharia is not codified and there is no system of judicial precedent, allowing judges to use independent legal reasoning to make a decision. Thus, divergent judgments arise even in apparently identical cases,[209] making predictability of legal interpretation difficult.[210] Saudi judges tend to follow the principles of the Hanbali school of jurisprudence (fiqh) found in pre-modern texts[211] and noted for its literalist interpretation of the Qur'an and hadith.[212] However, in 2021, Saudi Arabia announced judicial reforms which will lead to an entirely codified law that eliminates discrepancies.[213]
Royal decrees are the other main source of law but are referred to as regulations rather than laws because they are subordinate to the Sharia.[172] Royal decrees supplement Sharia in areas such as labour, commercial and corporate law. Additionally, traditional tribal law and custom remain significant.[214] Extra-Sharia government tribunals usually handle disputes relating to specific royal decrees.[215] Final appeal from both Sharia courts and government tribunals is to the king, and all courts and tribunals follow Sharia rules of evidence and procedure.[216]
Retaliatory punishments, or Qisas, are practised: for instance, an eye can be surgically removed at the insistence of a victim who lost his own eye.[217] Families of someone unlawfully killed can choose between demanding the death penalty or granting clemency in return for a payment of diyya (blood money), by the perpetrator.[218]
Administrative divisions
Saudi Arabia is divided into 13 regions[219] (Arabic: مناطق إدارية; manatiq idāriyya, sing. منطقة إدارية; mintaqah idariyya). The regions are further divided into 118 governorates (Arabic: محافظات; muhafazat, sing. محافظة; muhafazah). This number includes the 13 regional capitals, which have a different status as municipalities (Arabic: أمانة; amanah) headed by mayors (Arabic: أمين; amin). The governorates are further subdivided into sub-governorates (Arabic: مراكز; marakiz, sing. مركز; markaz).
Foreign relations
Saudi Arabia joined the UN in 1945[40][220] and is a founding member of the Arab League, Gulf Cooperation Council, Muslim World League, and the Organisation of the Islamic Conference (now the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation).[221] It plays a prominent role in the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank, and in 2005 joined the World Trade Organization.[40]
Since 1960, as a founding member of OPEC, its oil pricing policy has been generally to stabilize the world oil market and try to moderate sharp price movements so as not to jeopardize the Western economies.[40][222] In 1973, Saudi Arabia and other Arab nations imposed an oil embargo against the United States, United Kingdom, Japan and other Western nations which supported Israel in the Yom Kippur War of October 1973.[223] The embargo caused an oil crisis with many short- and long-term effects on global politics and the global economy.[224] Saudi Arabia and the United States are strategic allies, and Saudi Arabia is considered to be pro-Western.[225][226][227][228] On 20 May 2017, President Donald Trump and King Salman signed a series of letters of intent for Saudi Arabia to purchase arms from the United States totaling $350 billion over 10 years.[229][230] Saudi Arabia's role in the 1991 Gulf War, particularly the stationing of US troops on Saudi soil from 1991, prompted the development of a hostile Islamist response internally.[231] As a result, Saudi Arabia has, to some extent, distanced itself from the US and, for example, refused to support or to participate in the US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003.[139]
China and Saudi Arabia's relationship has grown significantly in recent decades. A significant number of Saudi Arabians have also expressed a positive view of China.[232][233][234] In February 2019, Crown Prince Mohammad defended China's Xinjiang internment camps for Uyghur Muslims.[235][236] According to The Diplomat, Saudi Arabia's human rights record has "come under frequent attack abroad and so defending China becomes a roundabout way of defending themselves."[237]
The consequences of the 2003 invasion and the Arab Spring led to increasing alarm within the Saudi monarchy over the rise of Iran's influence in the region.[238] These fears were reflected in comments of King Abdullah,[200] who privately urged the United States to attack Iran and "cut off the head of the snake".[239]
Saudi Arabia has been seen as a moderating influence in the Arab–Israeli conflict, periodically putting forward a peace plan between Israel and the Palestinians and condemning Hezbollah.[240] Saudi Arabia halted new trade and investment dealings with Canada and suspended diplomatic ties in a dramatic escalation of a dispute over the kingdom's arrest of women's rights activist Samar Badawi on 6 August 2018.[241][242]
In 2017, as part of its nuclear power programme, Saudi Arabia planned to extract uranium domestically, taking a step towards self-sufficiency in producing nuclear fuel.[243]
Allegations of sponsoring global terrorism
Saudi Arabia has been accused of sponsoring Islamic terrorism.[244][245] According to Iraq Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki in March 2014, Saudi Arabia along with Qatar provided political, financial, and media support to terrorists against the Iraqi government.[246] Similarly, President of Syria Bashar al-Assad noted in 2015 that the sources of the extreme ideology of the terrorist organization ISIS and other such salafist extremist groups are the Wahabbism that has been supported by the royal family of Saudi Arabia.[247]
Relations with the U.S. became strained following 9/11 terror attacks.[248] American politicians and media accused the Saudi government of supporting terrorism and tolerating a jihadist culture.[249] According to former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in December 2010, "Saudi Arabia remains a critical financial support base for al-Qaida, the Taliban, LeT and other terrorist groups... Donors in Saudi Arabia constitute the most significant source of funding to Sunni terrorist groups worldwide."[250] The Saudi government denies these claims or that it exports religious or cultural extremism.[251] In September 2016, the U.S. Congress passed the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act that would allow relatives of victims of the 11 September attacks to sue Saudi Arabia for its government's alleged role in the attacks.[252] In 2014, Sheikh Abdulaziz bin Abdullah Al-Sheikh, the Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia and Chairman of the Council of Senior Scholars, issued a fatwa explicitly prohibiting joining or supporting terrorist organizations such as ISIS and al-Qaeda.[253] According to the U.S. Department of State, "Saudi Arabia plays an important role in working toward a peaceful and prosperous future for the region and is a strong partner in security and counterterrorism efforts and in military, diplomatic, and financial cooperation."[254] A significant Saudi counterterrorism success was the foiling of a 2010 cargo plane bomb plot.[255] In December 2015, Saudi Arabia announced the formation of the Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition, an alliance of Muslim-majority countries aimed at combating terrorism and extremism.[256]
However, since 2016 the kingdom began backing away from Islamist ideologies.[257] Several reforms took place including curbing the powers of religious police,[258] and stopping funding mosques in foreign countries.[259]
Military
_in_May_2014.JPG)
Saudi Arabia's military forces include the Armed Forces of Saudi Arabia under the Ministry of Defence, which consist of the Royal Saudi Land Forces (which include the Royal Guard), the Air Force, the Navy, the Air Defence, and the Strategic Missile Force; the Saudi Arabian National Guard under the Ministry of National Guard; paramilitary forces under the Minister of Interior, including the Saudi Arabian Border Guard and the Facilities Security Force; and the Presidency of State Security, including the Special Security Force and the Emergency Force. As of 2023 there are 127,000 active personnel in the Armed Forces, 130,000 in the National Guard, and 24,500 in the paramilitary security forces. The National Guard is made up of tribal forces that are loyal to the Saudi royal family and have a role in both domestic security and foreign defence.[260][261] Saudi Arabia has security relationships with the United States, the United Kingdom, and France, which provide it with training and weapons.[262]
Saudi Arabia has one of the highest percentages of military expenditure in the world, spending around 8% of its GDP in its military, according to the 2020 Stockholm International Peace Research Institute estimate,[263] which places it as the world's third largest military spender behind the United States and China,[264] and the world's largest arms importer from 2015 to 2019, receiving half of all the U.S. arms exports to the Middle East.[265][266] Spending on defence and security has increased significantly since the mid-1990s and was about US$78.4 billion as of 2019.[264] According to the BICC, Saudi Arabia is the 28th most militarized country in the world and possesses the second-best military equipment qualitatively in the region, after Israel.[267] Its modern high-technology arsenal makes Saudi Arabia among the world's most densely armed nations.[268]
The kingdom has a long-standing military relationship with Pakistan; it has long been speculated that Saudi Arabia secretly funded Pakistan's atomic bomb program and seeks to purchase atomic weapons from Pakistan in the near future.[269][270]
In March 2015, Saudi Arabia mobilized 150,000 troops and 100 fighter jets to support its intervention in the civil war in neighbouring Yemen.[271][272] By early 2016, Saudi ground forces and their coalition allies captured Aden and parts of southwest Yemen, though the Houthis continued to control northern Yemen and the capital city Sanaa. From there the Houthis launched successful attacks across the border into Saudi Arabia.[273] The Saudi military has also carried out an aerial bombing campaign and a naval blockade aimed at stopping weapons shipments to the Houthis.[274][275]
Human rights
 | This section may lend undue weight to certain ideas, incidents, or controversies. (June 2023) |
The Saudi government, which mandates Muslim and non-Muslim observance of Sharia law under the absolute rule of the House of Saud, has been denounced by various international organizations and governments for violating human rights within the country.[276] The authoritarian regime is consistently ranked among the "worst of the worst" in Freedom House's annual survey of political and civil rights.[277] According to Amnesty International, security forces continue to torture and ill-treat detainees to extract confessions to be used as evidence against them at trial.[278] Saudi Arabia abstained from the United Nations vote adopting the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, saying it contradicted Sharia.[279] Mass executions, such as those carried out in 2016, in 2019, and in 2022, have been condemned by international rights groups.[280]
Since 2001, Saudi Arabia has engaged in widespread internet censorship. Most online censorship generally falls into two categories: one based on censoring "immoral" (mostly pornographic and LGBT-supportive websites along with websites promoting any religious ideology other than Sunni Islam) and one based on a blacklist run by Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Media, which primarily censors websites critical of the Saudi regime or associated with parties that are opposed to or opposed by Saudi Arabia.[281][282][283]
Saudi Arabian law does not recognize sexual orientations or religious freedom, and the public practice of non-Muslim religions is actively prohibited.[285] The justice system regularly engages in capital punishment, which has included public executions by beheading.[286][287] In line with Sharia in the Saudi justice system, the death penalty can theoretically be imposed for a wide range of offenses,[288] including murder, rape, armed robbery, repeated drug use, apostasy,[289] adultery,[290] witchcraft and sorcery,[291] and can be carried out by beheading with a sword,[289] stoning or firing squad,[290] followed by crucifixion (exposure of the body after execution).[291] In 2022, the Saudi Crown Prince stated that capital punishments will be removed "except for one category mentioned in the Quran", namely homicide, under which certain conditions must be applied.[292] In April 2020, Saudi Supreme Court issued a directive to eliminate the punishment of flogging from the Saudi court system, replaced by imprisonment or fines.[293][294]
Historically, Saudi women faced discrimination in many aspects of their lives and under the male guardianship system were effectively treated as legal minors.[295] The treatment of women had been referred to as "sex segregation"[296][297] and "gender apartheid".[298][299] As of June 2023, the kingdom has reportedly reversed its ban on women "becoming lawyers, engineers, or geologists" and established "aggressive affirmative action programs", doubling the female labour force participation rate. It has added "its first female newspaper editors, diplomats, TV anchors and public prosecutors", with a female head of the Saudi stock exchange and member on the board of Saudi Aramco.[300] In addition, on June 24, 2018, the Saudi government issued a law officially allowing women to drive.[301]
Saudi Arabia is a notable destination country for men and women trafficked for the purposes of slave labour and commercial sexual exploitation.[302] Migrants from Asia, Africa, and the Middle East are employed in the country's construction, hospitality, and domestic work sectors under the kafala system which human rights groups say is linked to abuses including modern slavery.[303][304]
Economy
As of October 2018[update], Saudi Arabia is the largest economy in the Middle East and the 18th largest in the world.[305] It has the world's second-largest proven petroleum reserves, is the third-largest producer and the largest exporter of petroleum.[306][307] The country also has the sixth-largest proven natural gas reserves.[33] Saudi Arabia is considered an "energy superpower,"[308][309] having the second highest total estimated value of natural resources, valued at US$34.4 trillion in 2016.[310]
The command economy is petroleum-based; roughly 63%[311] of budget revenues and 67%[312] of export earnings come from the oil industry. The oil industry constitutes about 45% of Saudi Arabia's nominal gross domestic product, compared with 40% from the private sector. It is strongly dependent on foreign workers with about 80% of those employed in the private sector being non-Saudi.[313][314] Challenges to the economy include halting or reversing the decline in per-capita income, improving education to prepare youth for the workforce and providing them with employment, diversifying the economy, stimulating the private sector and housing construction, and diminishing corruption and inequality.[315]
OPEC (the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries) limits its members' oil production based on their "proven reserves." Saudi Arabia's published reserves have shown little change since 1980, with the main exception being an increase of about 100 billion barrels (1.6×1010 m3) between 1987 and 1988.[316] Matthew Simmons has suggested that Saudi Arabia is greatly exaggerating its reserves and may soon show production declines (see peak oil).[317]
.gif)
From 2003 to 2013, "several key services" were privatized—municipal water supply, electricity, telecommunications—and parts of education and health care, traffic control and car accident reporting were also privatized. According to Arab News columnist Abdel Aziz Aluwaisheg, "in almost every one of these areas, consumers have raised serious concerns about the performance of these privatized entities."[318] In November 2005, Saudi Arabia was approved as a member of the World Trade Organization. Negotiations to join had focused on the degree to which Saudi Arabia is willing to increase market access to foreign goods and in 2000, the government established the Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority to encourage foreign direct investment in the kingdom. Saudi Arabia maintains a list of sectors in which foreign investment is prohibited, but the government plans to open some closed sectors such as telecommunications, insurance, and power transmission/distribution over time. The government has also made an attempt at "Saudizing" the economy, replacing foreign workers with Saudi nationals with limited success.[319]
In addition to petroleum and gas, Saudi has a significant gold mining sector in the Mahd adh Dhahab region and significant other mineral industries, an agricultural sector (especially in the southwest) based on vegetables, fruits, dates etc. and livestock, and large number of temporary jobs created by the roughly two million annual hajj pilgrims.[315] Saudi Arabia has had five-year "Development Plans" since 1970. Among its plans were to launch "economic cities" (e.g. King Abdullah Economic City) in an effort to diversify the economy and provide jobs. The cities will be spread around Saudi Arabia to promote diversification for each region and their economy, and the cities are projected to contribute $150 billion to the GDP.
Saudi Arabia is increasingly activating its ports in order to participate in trade between Europe and China in addition to oil transport. To this end, ports such as Jeddah Islamic Port or King Abdullah Economic City are being rapidly expanded, and investments are being made in logistics. The country is historically and currently part of the Maritime Silk Road.[321][322][323][324]
Statistics on poverty in the kingdom are not available through the UN resources because the Saudi government does not issue any.[325] The Saudi state discourages calling attention to or complaining about poverty. In December 2011, the Saudi interior ministry arrested three reporters and held them for almost two weeks for questioning after they uploaded a video on the topic to YouTube.[326][327][328] Authors of the video claim that 22% of Saudis may be considered poor.[329] Observers researching the issue prefer to stay anonymous[330] because of the risk of being arrested.
The unexpected impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the economy, along with Saudi Arabia's poor human rights records, laid unforeseen challenges before the development plans of the kingdom, where some of the programmes under 'Vision 2030' were also expected to be affected.[331] In May 2020, the Finance Minister of Saudi Arabia admitted that the country's economy was facing a severe economical crisis for the first time in decades, because of the pandemic as well as declining global oil markets. Mohammed Al-Jadaan said that the country will take "painful" measures and keep all options open to deal with the impact.[332]
In July 2024 Saudi Arabia's Renewable Energy Localisation Company (RELC) has formed three joint ventures with Chinese companies to advance the kingdom's clean energy infrastructure. As part of Saudi Arabia's 2030 targets, the Public Investment Fund is actively promoting the localization of renewable energy components. RELC, a division of the sovereign fund, facilitates partnerships between global manufacturers and Saudi private sector firms to strengthen local supply chains. The joint ventures include partnerships with Envision Energy for wind turbine components, Jinko Solar for photovoltaic cells, and Lumetech for solar photovoltaic ingots and wafers. These initiatives aim to localize up to 75% of the components used in Saudi Arabia's renewable projects by 2030, positioning the country as a major global exporter of renewable technologies.[333]
Saudi Minister of Economy and Planning, Faisal Al Ibrahim, emphasized Saudi Arabia's progress in global climate goals at the 2024 High-Level Political Forum for Sustainable Development in New York, citing over 80 initiatives and investments exceeding $180 billion for the country's green economy, as reported by Saudi Gazette. He highlighted the alignment of these efforts with Vision 2030 objectives, focusing on local sustainability, sector integration, and societal advancement.[334]
Agriculture
Initial attempts to develop dairy farming on a commercial scale occurred in the Al Kharj District (just south of Riyadh) during the 1950s.[335] Serious large-scale agricultural development began in the 1970s,[336] particularly with wheat.[337] The government launched an extensive programme to promote modern farming technology; to establish rural roads, irrigation networks and storage and export facilities; and to encourage agricultural research and training institutions. As a result, there has been a phenomenal growth in the production of all basic foods. Saudi Arabia is self-sufficient in numerous foodstuffs, including meat, milk, and eggs. The country exports dates, dairy products, eggs, fish, poultry, fruits, vegetables, and flowers. Dates, once a staple of the Saudi diet, are now mainly grown for global humanitarian aid. In addition, Saudi farmers grow substantial amounts of other grains such as barley, sorghum, and millet. As of 2016, in the interest of preserving precious water resources, domestic production of wheat, which it used to export, ended.[338] Consuming non-renewable groundwater resulted in the loss of an estimated four-fifths of the total groundwater reserves by 2012.[339]
The kingdom has some of the most modern and largest dairy farms in the Middle East. Milk production boasts a remarkably productive annual rate of 6,800 litres (1,800 US gallons) per cow, one of the highest in the world. The local dairy manufacturing company Almarai is the largest vertically integrated dairy company in the Middle East.[340]
The olive tree is indigenous to Saudi Arabia. The Al Jouf region has millions of olive trees, and the number is expected to increase to 20 million trees.[341]
As part of the country's ongoing plan to plant 100 Mangrove seedlings along its coastlines, the National Centre for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification has announced that it has planted 13M seedlings.[342]
Water supply and sanitation
One of the main challenges for Saudi Arabia is water scarcity. Substantial investments have been undertaken in seawater desalination, water distribution, sewerage and wastewater treatment. Today about 50% of drinking water comes from desalination, 40% from the mining of non-renewable groundwater, and 10% from surface water in the mountainous southwest of the country.[343] Saudi Arabia is suffering from a major depletion of the water in its underground aquifers and a resultant break down and disintegration of its agriculture as a consequence.[344][345] As a result of the catastrophe, Saudi Arabia has bought agricultural land in the United States,[346][347] Argentina,[348] and Africa.[349][350][351][352] Saudi Arabia ranked as a major buyer of agricultural land in foreign countries.[353][354]
.svg)
According to the Joint Monitoring Programme (JMP) for Water Supply and Sanitation of the WHO and UNICEF, the latest reliable source on access to water and sanitation in Saudi Arabia is the 2004 census. It indicates that 97% of the population had access to an improved source of drinking water and 99% had access to improved sanitation. For 2015, the JMP estimates that access to sanitation increased to 100%. Sanitation was primarily through on-site solutions, and about 40% of the population was connected to sewers.[356] In 2015, 886,000 people lacked access to "improved" water.[357][358]
Tourism
In 2019, Saudi Arabia adopted a general tourism travel visa to allow non-Muslims to visit.[359] Although most tourism largely involves religious pilgrimages, there is growth in the leisure tourism sector. According to the World Bank, approximately 14.3 million people visited Saudi Arabia in 2012, making it the world's 19th-most-visited country.[360] Tourism is an important component of the Saudi Vision 2030, and according to a report conducted by BMI Research in 2018 both religious and non-religious tourism have significant potential for expansion.[361]
The kingdom offers an electronic visa for foreign visitors to attend sports events and concerts.[362] In 2019, the kingdom announced its plans to open visa applications for visitors, where people from about 50 countries would be able to get tourist visas to Saudi.[363] In 2020 it was announced that holders of a US, UK or Schengen visa are eligible for a Saudi electronic visa upon arrival.[364]
-
Thee Ain village located in Al Bahah Province -
The desert of Al-Rub' Al-Khali (The Empty Quarter) -
Elephant Rock in Al-'Ula -
Ummahat islands, The Red Sea Project -
-
-
Salwa Palace in At-Turaif District, Diriyah -
-
Rijal Almaa historic village -
Qasr al-Farid Tomb in Mada'in Salih -
Al-Rifai House gate in Farasan Islands
.jpg)
.jpg)
Demographics
Saudi Arabia's reported population is 32,175,224 as of 2022,[365] making it the fourth most populous country in the Arab world.[366] Close to 42% of its inhabitants are immigrants,[367] mostly from the Middle East, Asia, and Africa.[368]
The Saudi population has grown rapidly since 1950, when it was estimated at 3 million.[369] For much of the 20th century, the country had one of the highest population growth rates in the world, at around 3% annually;[370] it continues to grow at a rate of 1.62% per year,[367] slightly higher than the rest of the Middle East and North Africa. Consequently, the Saudi people are quite young by global standards, with over half the population under 25 years old,[371]
The ethnic composition of Saudi citizens is 90% Arab and 10% Afro-Arab.[372] Most Saudis are concentrated in the southwest; Hejaz, which is the most populated region,[373] is home to one-third of the population, followed by neighbouring Najd (28%) and the Eastern Province (15%).[374] As late as 1970, most Saudis lived a subsistence life in the rural provinces, but in the last half of the 20th century, the kingdom has urbanized rapidly: as of 2023, about 85% of Saudis live in urban metropolitan areas—specifically Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam.[375][376] As recently as the early 1960s, Saudi Arabia's slave population was estimated at 300000.[377] Slavery was officially abolished in 1962.[378][379]
Largest cities or towns in Saudi Arabia
Data.gov.sa (2013/2014/2016) | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | Name | Regions | Pop. | Rank | Name | Regions | Pop. | ||
 Riyadh  Jeddah |
1 | Riyadh | Riyadh | [380] 6,506,700 | 11 | Qatif | Eastern | [381] 559,300 |  Mecca  Medina |
| 2 | Jeddah | Mecca | [382] 3,976,400 | 12 | Khamis Mushait | Asir | [383] 549,000 | ||
| 3 | Mecca | Mecca | [382] 1,919,900 | 13 | Ha'il | Ha'il | [384] 441,900 | ||
| 4 | Medina | Medina | [385] 1,271,800 | 14 | Hafar al-Batin | Eastern | [381] 416,800 | ||
| 5 | Hofuf | Eastern | [381] 1,136,900 | 15 | Jubail | Eastern | [381] 411,700 | ||
| 6 | Ta'if | Mecca | [382] 1,109,800 | 16 | Kharj | Riyadh | [386] 404,100 | ||
| 7 | Dammam | Eastern | [381] 975,800 | 17 | Abha | Asir | [383] 392,500 | ||
| 8 | Buraidah | Al-Qassim | [387] 658,600 | 18 | Najran | Najran | [388] 352,900 | ||
| 9 | Khobar | Eastern | [381] 626,200 | 19 | Yanbu | Al Madinah | [385] 320,800 | ||
| 10 | Tabuk | Tabuk | [389] 609,000 | 20 | Al Qunfudhah | Mecca | [382] 304,400 | ||
Language
The official language is Arabic.[11][5] There are four main regional dialect groups spoken by Saudis: Najdi (about 14.6 million speakers[390]), Hejazi (about 10.3 million speakers[391]), Gulf (about 0.96 million speakers[392]) including Baharna dialects, and Southern Hejaz and Tihama[393] dialects. Faifi is spoken by about 50000. The Mehri language is also spoken by around 20000 Mehri citizens.[394] Saudi Sign Language is the principal language of the deaf community, amounting to around 100000 speakers. The large expatriate communities also speak their own languages, the most numerous of which, according to 2018 data, are Bengali (~1 500000), Tagalog (~900000), Punjabi (~800000), Urdu (~740000), Egyptian Arabic (~600000), Rohingya, North Levantine Arabic (both ~500000)[395] and Malayalam.[396]
Religion
Virtually all Saudi citizens[397] and residents are Muslim;[398][399] by law, all citizens of the country are Muslim. Estimates of the Sunni population range between 85% and 90%, with the remaining 10 to 15% being Shia Muslim,[400][401][402][403] practicing either Twelver Shi'ism or Sulaymani Ismailism. The official and dominant form of Sunni Islam is Salafism, commonly known as Wahhabism,[404][405][g] which was founded in the Arabian Peninsula by Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab in the 18th century. Other denominations, such as the minority Shia Islam, are systematically suppressed.[406] Shia Muslims in Saudi Arabia are largely found in the Eastern Province, particularly in Qatif and Al–Ahsa.[407]
There are an estimated 1.5 million Christians in Saudi Arabia, almost all foreign workers.[408] Saudi Arabia allows Christians to enter the country as temporary foreign workers but does not allow them to practice their faith openly. There are officially no Saudi citizens who are Christians,[409] as Saudi Arabia forbids religious conversion from Islam (apostasy) and punishes it by death.[410] According to the Pew Research Center, there are 390000 Hindus in Saudi Arabia, almost all foreign workers.[411] There may be a significant fraction of atheists and agnostics,[412][413] although they are officially called "terrorists".[414] In its 2017 religious freedom report, the U.S. State Department named Saudi Arabia a Country of Particular Concern, denoting systematic, ongoing, and egregious violations of religious freedom.[415]
Najran was home to local Christian and Jewish communities.[416] Prior to establishment of Israel, Najran was home to 260 Jews and had friendly relations with Ibn Saud.[416] They had a Yemenite Jewish background.[416] After the establishment of Israel and the 1948 Arab–Israeli war, all the Jews fled for Yemen and from there headed to Israel.[416]
Education
Education is free at all levels, although higher education is restricted to citizens only.[417] The school system is composed of elementary, intermediate, and secondary schools. Classes are segregated by sex. At the secondary level, students are able to choose from three types of schools: general education, vocational and technical, or religious.[418] The rate of literacy is 99% among males and 96% among females in 2020.[419][420] Youth literacy rose to approximately 99.5% for both sexes.[421][422]
Higher education has expanded rapidly, with large numbers of universities and colleges being founded particularly since 2000. Institutions of higher education include King Saud University, the Islamic University at Medina, and the King Abdulaziz University in Jeddah. Princess Norah University is the largest women's university in the world. King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, known as KAUST, is the first mixed-gender university campus in Saudi Arabia and was founded in 2009. Other colleges and universities emphasize curricula in sciences and technology, military studies, religion, and medicine. Institutes devoted to Islamic studies, in particular, abound. Women typically receive college instruction in segregated institutions.[139]
The Academic Ranking of World Universities, known as Shanghai Ranking, ranked five Saudi institutions among its 2022 list of the 500 top universities in the world.[423] The QS World University Rankings lists 14 Saudi universities among the 2022 world's top universities and 23 universities among the top 100 in the Arab world.[424] The 2022 list of U.S. News & World Report Best Global University Ranking ranked King Abdulaziz University among the top 50 universities in the world and King Abdullah University of Science and Technology among the top 100 universities in the world.[425]
In 2018, Saudi Arabia ranked 28th worldwide in terms of high-quality research output according to the scientific journal Nature.[426] This makes Saudi Arabia the best performing Middle Eastern, Arab, and Muslim country.[citation needed] Saudi Arabia spends 8.8% of its gross domestic product on education, compared with the global average of 4.6%.[427] Saudi Arabia was ranked 44th in the Global Innovation Index in 2024, up from 68th in 2019.[428][429][430]
The Saudi education system has been accused of encouraging Islamic terrorism, leading to reform efforts.[431][432] Following the 9/11 attacks, the government aimed to tackle the twin problems of encouraging extremism and the inadequacy of the country's university education for a modern economy, by slowly modernizing the education system through the "Tatweer" reform programme.[431] The Tatweer programme is reported to have a budget of approximately US$2 billion and focuses on moving teaching away from the traditional Saudi methods of memorization and rote learning towards encouraging students to analyse and problem-solve. It also aims to create an education system which will provide a more secular and vocationally based training.[433][434]
In 2021, the Washington Post reported on the measures taken by Saudi Arabia to clean textbooks from paragraphs considered antisemitic and sexist. The paragraphs dealing with the punishment of homosexuality or same-sex relations have been deleted, and expressions of admiration for the extremist martyrdom. Antisemitic expressions and calls to fight the Jews became fewer. David Weinberg, director of international affairs for the Anti-Defamation League, said that references to demonizing Jews, Christians, and Shiites have been removed from some places or have toned down. The U.S. State Department expressed in an email that it welcomed the changes. The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs supports a training programme for Saudi teachers.[435]
Health care
Saudi Arabia has a national health care system in which the government provides free health care services through government agencies. Saudi Arabia has been ranked among the 26 best countries in providing high quality healthcare.[436] The Ministry of Health is the major government agency entrusted with the provision of preventive, curative, and rehabilitative health care. The ministry's origins can be traced to 1925, when several regional health departments were established, with the first in Makkah. The various healthcare institutions were merged to become a ministerial body in 1950.[437] The Health Ministry created a friendly competition between each of the districts and between different medical services and hospitals. This idea resulted in the creation of the "Ada'a" project launched in 2016. The new system is a nationwide performance indicator, for services and hospitals. Waiting times and other major measurements improved dramatically across the kingdom.[438]
A new strategy has been developed by the ministry, known as Diet and Physical Activity Strategy or DPAS for short,[439] to address bad lifestyle choices. The ministry advised that there should be a tax increase on unhealthy food, drink and cigarettes. This additional tax could be used to improve healthcare offerings. The tax was implemented in 2017.[440] As part of the same strategy, calorie labels were added in 2019 to some food and drink products. Ingredients were also listed as an aim to reduce obesity and inform citizens with health issues, to manage their diet.[441] As part of the ongoing focus on tackling obesity, women-only gyms were allowed to open in 2017. Sports offered in each of these gyms include bodybuilding, running and swimming to maintain higher standards of health.[442][443]
Smoking in all age groups is widespread. In 2009 the lowest median percentage of smokers was university students (~13.5%) while the highest was elderly people (~25%). The study also found the median percentage of male smokers to be much higher than that of females (~26.5% for males, ~9% for females). Before 2010, Saudi Arabia had no policies banning or restricting smoking.
The MOH has been awarded "Healthy City" certificates by the World Health Organization (WHO) for the cities of Unayzah and Riyadh Al Khabra as 4th and 5th Healthy Cities in Saudi Arabia.[444] The WHO had earlier classified three Saudi Arabian cities, Ad Diriyah, Jalajil, and Al-Jamoom as "Healthy city", as part of the WHO Healthy Cities Programme. Recently Al-Baha has also been classified as a healthy city to join the list of global healthy cities approved by the World Health Organization.[445]
In May 2019, the then Saudi Minister of Health Tawfiq bin Fawzan AlRabiah received a global award on behalf of the Kingdom for combatting smoking through social awareness, treatment, and application of regulations.[446] The award was presented as part of the 72nd session of the World Health Assembly, held in Geneva in May 2019. After becoming one of the first nations to ratify the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control in 2005, it plans to reduce tobacco use from 12.7% in 2017, to 5% in 2030.[446]
Saudi Arabia has a life expectancy of 74.99 years (73.79 for males and 76.61 for females) according to the latest data for the year 2018 from the World Bank.[447] Infant mortality in 2019 was 5.7 per 1000.[447] In 2016, 69.7% of the adult population was overweight and 35.5% was obese.[448]
Foreigners
The Central Department of Statistics & Information estimated the foreign population at the end of 2014 at 33% (10.1 million).[449] The CIA Factbook estimated that as of 2013[update] foreign nationals living in Saudi Arabia made up about 21% of the population.[11] Other sources report differing estimates.[450] Indian: 1.5 million, Pakistani: 1.3 million,[451] Egyptian: 900000, Yemeni: 800000, Bangladeshi: 400000, Filipino: 500000, Jordanian/Palestinian: 260000, Indonesian: 250000, Sri Lankan: 350000, Sudanese: 250000, Syrian: 100000 and Turkish: 80000.[452]
According to The Guardian, as of 2013[update] there were more than half a million foreign-born domestic workers. Most have backgrounds in poverty and come from Africa, the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia.[453] To go to work in Saudi Arabia, they must often pay large sums to recruitment agencies in their home countries. The agencies then handle the necessary legal paperwork.[454]
As the Saudi population grows and oil export revenues stagnate, pressure for "Saudization" (the replacement of foreign workers with Saudis) has grown, and the Saudi government hopes to decrease the number of foreign nationals in the country.[455] Saudi Arabia expelled 800000 Yemenis in 1990 and 1991[456] and has built a Saudi–Yemen barrier against an influx of illegal immigrants and against the smuggling of drugs and weapons.[457] In November 2013, Saudi Arabia expelled thousands of illegal Ethiopian residents from the kingdom. Various Human Rights entities have criticized Saudi Arabia's handling of the issue.[458]
Over 500000 undocumented migrant workers—mostly from Somalia, Ethiopia, and Yemen—have been detained and deported since 2013.[459] An investigation led by The Sunday Telegraph, exposed the condition of African migrants who were detained in Saudi Arabia allegedly for containing COVID-19 in the kingdom. They were beaten, tortured, and electrocuted. Many of the migrants died due to heatstroke or by attempting suicide, after being severely beaten and tortured. The migrants lack proper living conditions, provision of food and water.[460]
Foreigners cannot apply for permanent residency, though a specialized Premium Residency visa became available in 2019.[461] Only Muslims can become Saudi citizens.[462] Foreigners who have resided in the kingdom and hold degrees in various scientific fields may apply for Saudi citizenship,[463][464] and exception made for Palestinians who are excluded unless married to a male Saudi national, because of Arab League instructions barring the Arab states from granting them citizenship. Saudi Arabia is not a signatory to the 1951 UN Refugee Convention.[465]
Culture
Saudi Arabia has millennia-old attitudes and traditions, often derived from Arab civilization. Some of the major factors that influence the culture are Islamic heritage and Arab traditions as well as its historical role as an ancient trade centre.[466] The Kingdom also has a very family-oriented culture[467] with an emphasis on preserving family traditions and kinship ties.[468]
Religion in society
Religion is a core aspect of everyday life in Saudi Arabia; it plays a dominant role in the country's governance and legal system, and deeply influences culture and daily life, although the power of the religious establishment has been significantly eroded in the 2010s.[469] The Hejaz region, where the Islamic holy cities of Mecca and Medina are located, is the destination of the Ḥajj pilgrimage, and often deemed to be the cradle of Islam.[470][h]
Islam is the state religion of Saudi Arabia. There is no law that requires all citizens to be Muslim, but non-Muslims and many foreign and Saudi Muslims whose beliefs are deemed not to conform with the government's interpretation of Islam must practice their religion in private and are vulnerable to discrimination, harassment, detention, and, for foreigners, deportation.[481] Neither Saudi citizens nor guest workers have the right of freedom of religion.[482] The dominant form of Islam in the kingdom—Wahhabism—arose in the central region of Najd, in the 18th century. Proponents call the movement "Salafism",[405] and believe that its teachings purify the practice of Islam of innovations or practices that deviate from the seventh-century teachings of Muhammad and his companions.[483] The Saudi government has often been viewed as an active oppressor of Shia Muslims because of the funding of the Wahhabi ideology which denounces the Shia faith.[484][485] Prince Bandar bin Sultan, Saudi ambassador to the United States, stated: "The time is not far off in the Middle East when it will be literally 'God help the Shia'. More than a billion Sunnis have simply had enough of them."[486]
Saudi Arabia is one of the few countries that have "religious police" (known as Haia or Mutaween), who patrol the streets "enjoining good and forbidding wrong" by enforcing dress codes, strict separation of men and women, attendance at prayer (salat) five times each day, the ban on alcohol, and other aspects of Sharia. However, since 2016 the power of religious police was curbed, which barred them from pursuing, questioning, requesting identification or arresting suspects.[487][258] In the privacy of homes, behaviour can be far looser, and reports from WikiLeaks indicate that low ranked members of the ruling Saudi Royal family indulge in parties with alcohol, drugs, and prostitutes.[488]
Women in society
Throughout history, women did not have equal rights to men in the kingdom; the U.S. State Department considers Saudi Arabian government's discrimination against women a "significant problem" and notes that women have few political rights because of the government's discriminatory policies.[489] However, since Mohammed bin Salman was appointed Crown Prince in 2017, a series of social reforms have been witnessed regarding women's rights.
Under previous Saudi law, all females were required to have a male guardian (wali), typically a father, brother, husband, or uncle (mahram). In 2019, this law was partially amended to exclude women over 21 years old from the requirement of a male guardian.[490] The amendment also granted women rights in relation to the guardianship of minor children.[490][491] Previously, girls and women were forbidden from travelling, conducting official business, or undergoing certain medical procedures without permission from their male guardians.[492] In 2019, Saudi Arabia allowed women to travel abroad, register for divorce or marriage, and apply for official documents without the permission of a male guardian.
In 2006, Wajeha al-Huwaider, a leading Saudi feminist and journalist said "Saudi women are weak, no matter how high their status, even the 'pampered' ones among them, because they have no law to protect them from attack by anyone."[493] Following this, Saudi Arabia implemented the anti-domestic violence law in 2014.[494] Furthermore, between 2017 and 2020, the country addressed issues of mobility, sexual harassment, pensions, and employment-discrimination protections.[495][496][497] al-Huwaider and other female activists have applauded the general direction in which the country was headed.[498]
Women face discrimination in the courts, where the testimony of one man equals that of two women in family and inheritance law.[489] Polygamy is permitted for men,[499] and men have a unilateral right to divorce their wives (talaq) without needing any legal justification.[500] A woman can only obtain a divorce with the consent of her husband or judicially if her husband has harmed her.[501] However, in 2022, women were granted the right to divorce and without the approval of a legal guardian under the new Personal Status Law.[502] With regard to the law of inheritance, the Quran specifies that fixed portions of the deceased's estate must be left to the Qur'anic heirs[503] and generally, female heirs receive half the portion of male heirs.[503]
Heritage sites
Saudi Wahhabism is hostile to any reverence given to historical or religious places of significance for fear that it may give rise to 'shirk' (idolatry), and the most significant historic Muslim sites (in Mecca and Medina) are located in the western Saudi region of the Hejaz.[470] As a consequence, under Saudi rule an estimated 95% of Mecca's historic buildings, most over a thousand years old, have been demolished for religious reasons.[504] Critics claim that over the last 50 years, 300 historic sites linked to Muhammad, his family or companions have been lost,[505] leaving fewer than 20 structures remaining in Mecca that date back to the time of Muhammad.[506] Demolished structures include the mosque originally built by Muhammad's daughter Fatima, and other mosques founded by Abu Bakr (Muhammad's father-in-law and the first caliph), Umar (the second caliph), Ali (Muhammad's son-in-law and the fourth caliph), and Salman al-Farsi (another of Muhammad's companions).[507]
Seven cultural sites in Saudi Arabia are designated as UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Al-Hijr Archaeological Site (Madâin Sâlih);[508] the Turaif district in Diriyah;[509] Historic Jeddah, the Gate to Mecca;[510] Al-Ahsa Oasis;[511] Rock Art in the Hail Region;[512] Ḥimā Cultural Area;[513] and 'Uruq Bani Ma'arid.[514] Ten other sites submitted requests for recognition to UNESCO in 2015.[515] There are six elements inscribed on UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity list:[516] Al-Qatt Al-Asiri, female traditional interior wall decoration in Asir; Almezmar, drumming and dancing with sticks; Falconry, a living human heritage; Arabic coffee, a symbol of generosity; Majlis, a cultural and social space; Alardah Alnajdiyah, dance, drumming and poetry in Saudi Arabia.
In June 2014, the Council of Ministers approved a law that gives the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage the means to protect Saudi Arabia's ancient relics and historic sites. Within the framework of the 2016 National Transformation Programme, also known as Saudi Vision 2030, the kingdom allocated 900 million euros to preserve its historical and cultural heritage.[517] Saudi Arabia also participates in the International Alliance for the Protection of Heritage in Conflict Areas, created in March 2017, with a contribution of 18.5 million euros.[518]
In 2017, Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman promised to return Saudi Arabia to the "moderate Islam" of the era before the 1979 Iranian revolution.[519] A new centre, the King Salman Complex for the Prophet's Hadith, was established that year to monitor interpretations of the Prophet Mohammed's hadiths to prevent them being used to justifying terrorism.[520]
In March 2018, the Crown Prince met the Archbishop of Canterbury during a visit to the UK, pledging to promote interfaith dialogue. In Riyadh the following month King Salman met the head of the Vatican's Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue.[521] In July 2019, UNESCO signed a letter with the Saudi Minister of Culture in which Saudi Arabia contributed US$25 million to UNESCO for the preservation of heritage.[522]
On November 5, 2024, archeologists published the news of an ancient city discovered within in the Saudi oasis of Khaybar. The city named al-Natah, that dates back some 4,000 years, was inhabited during the Bronze Age around 2,400 BC, and had about 500 houses. Not far, a cluster of graves was found, within them metal weapons.[523]
Dress
Saudi Arabian dress strictly follows the principles of hijab (the Islamic principle of modesty, especially in dress). The predominantly loose and flowing, but covering, garments are suited to Saudi Arabia's desert climate. Traditionally, men usually wear a white ankle-length garment woven from wool or cotton (known as a thawb), with a keffiyeh (a large checkered square of cotton held in place by an agal) or a ghutra (a plain white square made of a finer cotton, also held in place by an agal) worn on the head. For rare chilly days, Saudi men wear a camel-hair cloak (bisht) over the top. In public women are required to wear a black abaya or other black clothing that covers everything under the neck with the exception of their hands and feet, although most women cover their head in respect of their religion. This requirement applies to non-Muslim women too and failure to abide can result in police action, particularly in more conservative areas of the country. Women's clothes are often decorated with tribal motifs, coins, sequins, metallic thread, and appliques.[524]
Arts and entertainment
During the 1970s, cinemas were numerous in the kingdom although they were seen as contrary to Wahhabi norms.[525] During the Islamic revival movement in the 1980s, and as a political response to an increase in Islamist activism including the 1979 seizure of the Grand Mosque in Mecca, the government closed all cinemas and theatres. However, with King Abdullah and King Salman's reforms, cinemas re-opened,[526] including one in KAUST.
From the 18th century onward, Wahhabi fundamentalism discouraged artistic development inconsistent with its teaching. In addition, Sunni Islamic prohibition of creating representations of people have limited the visual arts, which tend to be dominated by geometric, floral, and abstract designs and by calligraphy. With the advent of the oil-wealth in the 20th century came exposure to outside influences, such as Western housing styles, furnishings, and clothes. Music and dance have always been part of Saudi life. Traditional music is generally associated with poetry and is sung collectively. Instruments include the rabābah, an instrument not unlike a three-string fiddle, and various types of percussion instruments, such as the ṭabl (drum) and the ṭār (tambourine). The national dance is a native sword dance known as ardah. Originating from Najd, it involves lines or circles of men and singing poetry.[527] Bedouin poetry, known as nabaṭī, is popular.[139]
Censorship has limited the development of Saudi literature, although several Saudi novelists and poets have achieved critical and popular acclaim in the Arab world—albeit generating official hostility in their home country. These include Ghazi Algosaibi, Mansour al-Nogaidan, Abdelrahman Munif, Turki al-Hamad and Rajaa al-Sanea.[528][529][530] In 2016, the General Entertainment Authority (GEA) was formed to oversee the expansion of the Saudi entertainment sector.[531] The first concerts in Riyadh for 25 years took place the following year.[532] Other events since the GEA's creation have included comedy shows, professional wrestling events and monster truck rallies.[533] In 2018 the first public cinema opened after a ban of 35 years, with plans to have more than 2000 screens running by 2030.[534]
Developments in the arts in 2018 included Saudi Arabia's debut appearances at the Cannes Film Festival and the Venice Biennale.[535]
TV and media
Television was introduced in Saudi Arabia in 1954. Saudi Arabia is a major market for pan-Arab satellite and pay-TV. It controls the largest share of the pan-Arab broadcasting market; among the major Saudi-owned broadcasting companies are the Middle East Broadcasting Center, Rotana and the Saudi Broadcasting Authority.[536] The Saudi government closely monitors media and restricts it under official state law. Changes have been made to lessen these restrictions; however, some government-led efforts to control information have also drawn international attention. As of 2022, Reporters Without Borders rates the kingdom's press a "very serious" situation.[537]
Most of the early newspapers in the Persian Gulf region were established in Saudi Arabia.[538] The first newspaper founded in the country and in the Persian Gulf area is Al Fallah, which was launched in 1920,[538] and the first English-language newspaper is Arab News, which was launched in 1975.[539] All of the newspapers published in Saudi Arabia are privately owned.[540]
According to World Bank, as of 2020, 98% of the population of Saudi Arabia are internet users which puts it in the 8th rank among countries with the highest percentage of internet users.[541] Saudi Arabia has one of the fastest 5G internet speeds in the world.[542][543] The kingdom is the 27th largest market for e-commerce with a revenue of US$8 billion in 2021.[544]
Cuisine
Saudi Arabian cuisine is similar to that of the surrounding countries in the Arabian Peninsula and the wider Arab world, and has influenced and been influenced by Turkish, Indian, Persian, and African food. Islamic dietary laws are enforced: pork is not allowed, and other animals are slaughtered in accordance with halal. Kebabs and falafel are popular, as is shawarma, a marinated grilled meat dish of lamb, mutton, or chicken. Kabsa, a rice dish with lamb, chicken, fish or shrimp, is among the national dishes as is mandi. Flat, unleavened taboon bread is a staple of virtually every meal, as are dates, fresh fruit, yoghurt, and hummus. Coffee, served in the Arabic style, is the traditional beverage, but tea and various fruit juices are popular as well.[139] The earliest substantiated evidence of either coffee drinking or knowledge of the coffee tree is from the 15th century, in the Sufi monasteries of Arabia.
Sport
Football is the national sport in Saudi Arabia. The Saudi Arabia national football team is considered one of Asia's most successful national teams, having reached a joint record six AFC Asian Cup finals, winning three of those finals (1984, 1988, and 1996) and having qualified for the World Cup four consecutive times ever since debuting at the 1994 tournament. In the 1994 FIFA World Cup under the leadership of Jorge Solari, Saudi Arabia beat both Belgium and Morocco in the group stage before falling to defeat Sweden in the round of 16. During the 1992 FIFA Confederations Cup, which was played in Saudi Arabia, the country reached the final, losing 1–3 to Argentina.
Scuba diving, windsurfing, sailing and basketball (which is played by both men and women) are also popular with the Saudi Arabian national basketball team winning bronze at the 1999 Asian Championship.[545][546][547] More traditional sports such as horse racing and camel racing are also popular. The annual King's Camel Race, begun in 1974, is one of the sport's most important contests and attracts animals and riders from throughout the region. Falconry is another traditional pursuit.[139]
Women's sport is controversial because of the suppression of female participation in sport by conservative Islamic religious authorities,[548] however the restrictions have eased.[549][550][551] Until 2018 women were not permitted in sport stadiums. Segregated seating, allowing women to enter, has been developed in three stadiums across major cities.[552] Since 2020, the progress of women's integration into the Saudi sport scene began to develop rapidly.[553][554] 25 Saudi sport federations established a national women's team,[555] including a national football and basketball team. In November 2020, the Saudi Arabian Football Federation announced the launch of the first nationwide Saudi women's premier league.[556]
In its vision for modernization the nation has introduced many international sporting events, bringing sports stars to the kingdom. However, in August 2019, the kingdom's strategy received criticism for appearing as a method of sportswashing soon after Saudi's US-based 2018 lobbying campaign foreign registration documentations got published online. The documents showed Saudi Arabia as allegedly implementing a sportswashing strategy, including meetings and official calls with authorities of associations like Major League Soccer, World Wrestling Entertainment, and the National Basketball Association.[557]
See also
.svg){kind=small}
Notes
- ^ The Shahādah (Statement of faith) is sometimes translated into English as 'There is no god but Allah', using the romanization of the Arabic word Allāh instead of its translation. The word Allāh (Arabic: اللَّٰه) literally translates as God.[2][3][4]
- ^ For Saudi citizens only.
- ^ There is a Consultative Assembly, or Shura Council, which has no legislative power.[9] As its role is only consultative it is not considered to be a legislature.[10]
- ^ Pegged to the United States dollar (USD) at 3.75 riyals per USD since 1986[16]
- ^ /ˌsɔːdi əˈreɪbiə/ SAW-dee ə-RAY-bee-ə, /ˌsaʊdi-/ SOW-dee-; Arabic: ٱلسُّعُودِيَّة, romanized: Suʿūdiyya
- ^ Arabic: ٱلْمَمْلَكَة ٱلْعَرَبِيَّة ٱلسُّعُودِيَّة, romanized: al-Mamlaka al-ʿArabiyya as-Suʿūdiyya,
- ^ Proponents prefer the name Salafist, considering Wahhabi derogatory.
- ^ A number of Muslims, using justifications from the Quran,[471][472][473] insist that Islam did not begin with Muhammad, but that it represents even previous Prophets such as Abraham,[474][475][476][477] who is credited with having established the sanctuary of Mecca.[478][479][480]
References
- ^ "About Saudi Arabia: Facts and figures". The Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia, Washington, DC. Archived from the original on 17 April 2012.
- ^ "God". Islam: Empire of Faith. PBS. Archived from the original on 27 March 2014. Retrieved 3 September 2017.
- ^ 'Islam and Christianity', Encyclopedia of Christianity (2001): Arabic-speaking Christians and Jews also refer to God as Allah.
- ^ L. Gardet. "Allah". Encyclopaedia of Islam Online.
- ^ a b "Basic Law of Governance". Ministry of Education. Ministry of Education – Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Archived from the original on 5 December 2022. Retrieved 1 September 2020.
- ^ "The World Factbook". 2 July 2014. Archived from the original on 2 July 2014.
- ^ "Religious Composition by Country" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 23 March 2018. Retrieved 10 August 2021.
- ^ "Saudi Arabia – The World Factbook". CIA. Archived from the original on 19 March 2021. Retrieved 30 May 2021.
- ^ Hefner, Robert W. (2009). Remaking Muslim Politics: Pluralism, Contestation, Democratization. Princeton University Press. p. 202. ISBN 978-1-4008-2639-1.
- ^ "Analysts: Saudi Arabia Nervous About Domestic Discontent". www.voanews.com. VoA News – English. Archived from the original on 6 June 2021. Retrieved 6 June 2021.
- ^ a b c Saudi Arabia. The World Factbook. Central Intelligence Agency.
- ^ "Saudi Census 2022". portal.saudicensus.sa. General Statistics Authority - Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Archived from the original on 28 July 2023. Retrieved 16 July 2023.
- ^ a b c d "World Economic Outlook Database, October 2024 Edition. (Saudi Arabia)". www.imf.org. International Monetary Fund. 22 October 2024. Retrieved 22 October 2024.
- ^ "The World Factbook". CIA.gov. Central Intelligence Agency. Archived from the original on 19 March 2021. Retrieved 28 May 2019.
- ^ "Human Development Report 2023/24" (PDF). United Nations Development Programme. 13 March 2024. p. 288. Archived (PDF) from the original on 13 March 2024. Retrieved 13 March 2024.
- ^ Strohecker, Karin (27 April 2016). "Saudi riyal peg pressure eases, but not gone". reuters.com. Reuters. Archived from the original on 3 October 2023. Retrieved 30 September 2023.
- ^ Saudi Arabia has a total area of 829,995 square miles and ranks 13th in the world according to the list of the total areas of the world's countries, dependencies, and territories, but since Greenland is a territory, this makes is the 12th largest country (https://www.britannica.com/topic/list-of-the-total-areas-of-the-worlds-countries-dependencies-and-territories-2130540).
- ^ Through a maritime border marked by an artificial island.
- ^ "88,000-Year-Old Finger Bone Pushes Back Human Migration Dates". National Geographic.
- ^ "The Global Religious Landscape". Pew Forum. 18 December 2012. Archived from the original on 26 December 2018. Retrieved 23 August 2018.
- ^ a b Abbas, Tahir (March 2011). "Preface and Introduction". Islamic Radicalism and Multicultural Politics: The British Experience. Taylor & Francis. ISBN 9781136959592. Archived from the original on 28 March 2023. Retrieved 21 January 2024.
The unprecedented initial expansion of Islam led to half of the known world being conquered with huge swathes of territory…
- ^ a b Reichl, Karl, ed. (2012). Medieval Oral Literature. De Gruyter. p. 633. ISBN 9783110241129. Archived from the original on 28 March 2024. Retrieved 21 January 2024.
With the unprecedented victorious spread of Islam within only a few years over a huge territory…
- ^ a b Barber, Malcolm (2 August 2012). "Chapter 2: Syria and Palestine". The Crusader States. Yale University Press. ISBN 9780300189315.
After his [Muhammad's] death in 632, his successors, driven by what had become a dynamic new religion, committed themselves to an unprecedented territorial expansion.
- ^ Alhussein, Eman (2023), "Saudi Arabias centralized political structure: prospects and challenges", Handbook of Middle East Politics, Edward Elgar Publishing, pp. 144–157, ISBN 978-1-80220-563-3
- ^ Tripp, Culture Shock, 2003: p. 14
- ^ Malbouisson, p. 23
- ^ "Saudi Arabia has carried out 800 executions since 2015, says rights group". Independent.co.uk. 15 April 2020. Archived from the original on 21 April 2020. Retrieved 6 March 2023.
- ^ "Death Penalty Worldwide". Archived from the original on 16 June 2019.
- ^ Buzan, Barry (2004). The United States and the Great Powers. Cambridge: Polity Press. p. 71. ISBN 978-0-7456-3375-6.
- ^ "The erosion of Saudi Arabia's image among its neighbours". Middle East Monitor. 7 November 2013. Archived from the original on 9 November 2013.
- ^ Caryl, Sue (20 February 2014). "1938: Oil Discovered in Saudi Arabia". National Geographic. National Geographic Society. Archived from the original on 12 December 2016. Retrieved 27 November 2016.
- ^ Learsy, Raymond (2011). Oil and Finance: The Epic Corruption. p. 89.
- ^ a b "International – U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA)". eia.gov. Archived from the original on 7 May 2015. Retrieved 27 March 2015.
- ^ Wynbrandt, James (2004). A Brief History of Saudi Arabia. Infobase Publishing. p. 242. ISBN 978-1-4381-0830-8. Archived from the original on 11 February 2023. Retrieved 20 June 2015.
- ^ Soldatkin, Vladimir; Astrasheuskaya, Nastassia (9 November 2011). "Saudi Arabia to overtake Russia as top oil producer-IEA". Reuters. Archived from the original on 18 October 2022. Retrieved 5 July 2021.
- ^ Human Development Report 2014 (PDF). United Nations. 2013. p. 159. Archived (PDF) from the original on 23 February 2022. Retrieved 13 October 2014.
- ^ "Tax in Saudi Arabia | Saudi Arabia Tax Guide – HSBC Expat". www.expat.hsbc.com. Archived from the original on 17 May 2022. Retrieved 26 June 2022.
- ^ "بوابة الهيئة - الصفحة الرئيسية". portal.saudicensus.sa (in Arabic). Archived from the original on 3 October 2023. Retrieved 7 June 2023.
- ^ "Why Saudi Arabia". Invest Saudi. Archived from the original on 13 February 2020. Retrieved 17 February 2019.
- ^ a b c d "Background Note: Saudi Arabia". U.S. State Department. Archived from the original on 9 June 2019. Retrieved 21 May 2019.
- ^ Lewis, Bernard (2003). The Crisis of Islam. Modern Library. pp. xx. ISBN 978-0-679-64281-7.
- ^ Wilson, Peter W.; Graham, Douglas (1994). Saudi Arabia: the coming storm. M.E. Sharpe. p. 46. ISBN 978-1-56324-394-3. Archived from the original on 28 March 2024. Retrieved 27 August 2015.
- ^ a b Kamrava, Mehran (2011). The Modern Middle East: A Political History Since the First World War. University of California Press. p. 67. ISBN 978-0-520-26774-9. Archived from the original on 28 March 2024. Retrieved 27 August 2015.
- ^ Wynbrandt, James; Gerges, Fawaz A. (2010). A Brief History of Saudi Arabia. Infobase. p. xvii. ISBN 978-0-8160-7876-9.
- ^ Hariri-Rifai, Wahbi; Hariri-Rifai, Mokhless (1990). The heritage of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. GDG Exhibits Trust. p. 26. ISBN 978-0-9624483-0-0.
- ^ Callaway, Ewen (27 January 2011). "Early human migration written in stone tools : Nature News". Nature. doi:10.1038/news.2011.55. ISSN 0028-0836. Archived from the original on 5 April 2017. Retrieved 25 November 2016.
- ^ Armitage, S. J.; Jasim, S. A.; Marks, A. E.; Parker, A. G.; Usik, V. I.; Uerpmann, H.-P. (2011). "Hints Of Earlier Human Exit From Africa". Science. 331 (6016). Science News: 453–456. Bibcode:2011Sci...331..453A. doi:10.1126/science.1199113. PMID 21273486. S2CID 20296624.
- ^ Mirazon Lahr, M. (2010), "Saharan Corridors and their role in the Evolutionary Geography of 'Out of Africa I'", in Fleagle, J.G.; et al. (eds.), Out of Africa I: The First Hominim Colonization of Eurasia, Springer, pp. 27–46, ISBN 978-90-481-9035-5, archived from the original on 28 March 2024, retrieved 28 March 2024
- ^ "Al Magar – Paleolithic & Neolithic History". paleolithic-neolithic.com. Archived from the original on 17 August 2019. Retrieved 19 November 2018.
- ^ Sylvia, Smith (26 February 2013). "Desert finds challenge horse taming ideas". BCC. Archived from the original on 14 August 2021. Retrieved 13 November 2016.
- ^ John, Henzell (11 March 2013). "Carved in stone: were the Arabs the first to tame the horse?". thenational. thenational. Archived from the original on 13 July 2021. Retrieved 12 November 2016.
- ^ "Discovery points to roots of arabian breed – Features". Horsetalk.co.nz. 27 August 2011. Archived from the original on 19 May 2022. Retrieved 7 May 2022.
- ^ Grimm, David (16 November 2017). "These may be the world's first images of dogsand they're wearing leashes". Science Magazine. Archived from the original on 4 January 2022. Retrieved 18 June 2018.
- ^ طرق التجارة القديمة، روائع آثار المملكة العربية السعودية pp. 156–157
- ^ Scerri, Eleanor M. L.; Frouin, Marine; Breeze, Paul S.; Armitage, Simon J.; Candy, Ian; Groucutt, Huw S.; Drake, Nick; Parton, Ash; White, Tom S.; Alsharekh, Abdullah M.; Petraglia, Michael D. (12 May 2021). "The expansion of Acheulean hominins into the Nefud Desert of Arabia". Scientific Reports. 11 (1): 10111. Bibcode:2021NatSR..1110111S. doi:10.1038/s41598-021-89489-6. ISSN 2045-2322. PMC 8115331. PMID 33980918.
- ^ "Saudi Arabia discovers new archaeological site dating back to 350,000 years". Saudigazette. 12 May 2021. Archived from the original on 17 May 2021. Retrieved 17 May 2021.
- ^ "Saudi Arabia discovers a 350,000-year-old archaeological site in Hail". The National. 13 May 2021. Archived from the original on 17 May 2021. Retrieved 17 May 2021.
- ^ "Ancient site in Nefud Desert offers glimpse of early human activity in Saudi Arabia". Arab News. Archived from the original on 13 May 2021. Retrieved 17 May 2021.
- ^ a b c d Roads of Arabia p. 180
- ^ Roads of Arabia p. 176.
- ^ Koenig 1971; Payne 1983: Briggs 2009
- ^ The World around the Old Testament: The People and Places of the Ancient Near East Archived 28 March 2024 at the Wayback Machine. Baker Publishing Group; 2016. ISBN 978-1-4934-0574-9 p. 462.
- ^ Michael D. Coogan. The Oxford History of the Biblical World Archived 28 March 2024 at the Wayback Machine. Oxford University Press; 2001. ISBN 978-0-19-988148-2. p. 110.
- ^ Knauf, 1988
- ^ a b Midian, Moab and Edom: The History and Archaeology of Late Bronze and Iron Age Jordan and North-West Arabia p. 163.
- ^ Farag, Mona (7 September 2022). "Louvre Museum in Paris to display Saudi Arabia's ancient AlUla statue". The National. Archived from the original on 24 September 2022. Retrieved 24 September 2022.
- ^ a b The State of Lihyan: A New Perspective – p. 192
- ^ J. Schiettecatte: The political map of Arabia and the Middle East in the third century AD revealed by a Sabaean inscription Archived 9 July 2023 at the Wayback Machine – p. 183
- ^ The State of Lihyan: A New Perspective
- ^ "Lion Tombs of Dedan". Saudi Arabia Tourism Guide. 19 September 2017. Archived from the original on 20 November 2018. Retrieved 19 November 2018.
- ^ Discovering Lehi Archived 28 March 2024 at the Wayback Machine. Cedar Fort; 1996. ISBN 978-1-4621-2638-5. p. 153.
- ^ Taylor, Jane (2005). Petra. London: Aurum Press Ltd. pp. 25–31. ISBN 978-9957-451-04-2.
- ^ Taagepera, Rein (September 1997). "Expansion and Contraction Patterns of Large Polities: Context for Russia". International Studies Quarterly. 41 (3): 475–504. doi:10.1111/0020-8833.00053. JSTOR 2600793. Archived from the original on 19 November 2018. Retrieved 26 September 2018.
- ^ Blankinship, Khalid Yahya (1994), The End of the Jihad State, the Reign of Hisham Ibn 'Abd-al Malik and the collapse of the Umayyads, State University of New York Press, p. 37, ISBN 978-0-7914-1827-7
- ^ Gordon, Matthew (2005). The Rise of Islam. Greenwood Publishing. p. 4. ISBN 978-0-313-32522-9.
- ^ a b Lindsay, James E. (2005). Daily Life in the Medieval Islamic World. Greenwood Press. p. 33. ISBN 978-0-313-32270-9.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o "History of Arabia". Encyclopædia Britannica. Archived from the original on 3 May 2015. Retrieved 18 January 2011.
- ^ William Gordon East (1971). The changing map of Asia. Methuen. pp. 75–76. ISBN 978-0-416-16850-1.
- ^ Glassé, Cyril (2008). The New Encyclopedia of Islam. Walnut Creek CA: AltaMira Press p. 369
- ^ Commins, David (2012). The Gulf States: A Modern History. I.B. Tauris. p. 28. ISBN 978-1-84885-278-5.
- ^ C.E. Bosworth, The New Islamic Dynasties, (Columbia University Press, 1996), 94–95.
- ^ Khulusi, Safa (1975). "A Thirteenth Century Poet from Bahrain". Proceedings of the Seminar for Arabian Studies. 6: 91–102. JSTOR 41223173. (registration required)
- ^ Joseph Meri, Medieval Islamic Civilization, Taylor and Francis, 2006, p. 95
- ^ Curtis E. Larsen. Life and Land Use on the Bahrain Islands: The Geoarchaeology of an Ancient Society University Of Chicago Press, 1984 pp66-8
- ^ a b Juan Ricardo Cole (2002). Sacred space and holy war: the politics, culture and history of Shi'ite Islam. Bloomsbury Academic. p. 35. ISBN 978-1-86064-736-9. Archived from the original on 28 March 2024. Retrieved 27 September 2017.
- ^ "Arabia". Archived from the original on 22 February 2012.
- ^ Zāmil Muḥammad al-Rashīd. Suʻūdī relations with eastern Arabia and ʻUmān, 1800–1870 Luzac and Company, 1981 pp. 21–31
- ^ Yitzhak Nakash (2011)Reaching for Power: The Shi'a in the Modern Arab World p. 22
- ^ "Arabia, history of." Archived 29 August 2006 at the Wayback Machine Encyclopædia Britannica Online. 30 November 2007.
- ^ Bernstein, William J. (2008) A Splendid Exchange: How Trade Shaped the World. Grove Press. pp. 191 ff Archived 7 August 2023 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Chatterji, Nikshoy C. (1973). Muddle of the Middle East, Volume 2. Abhinav Publications. p. 168. ISBN 978-0-391-00304-0.
- ^ Bowen 2007, p. 68.
- ^ "Saudi Arabia to commemorate 'Founding Day' on Feb. 22 annually: Royal order". Al Arabiya English. 27 January 2022. Archived from the original on 1 October 2022. Retrieved 15 February 2022.
- ^ "History of the Kingdom | kingdom of Saudi Arabia – Ministry of Foreign Affairs". www.mofa.gov.sa. Archived from the original on 2 March 2022. Retrieved 15 February 2022.
- ^ Bowen 2007, p. 69–70.
- ^ Harris, Ian; Mews, Stuart; Morris, Paul; Shepherd, John (1992). Contemporary Religions: A World Guide. Longman. p. 369. ISBN 978-0-582-08695-1.
- ^ Faksh, Mahmud A. (1997). The Future of Islam in the Middle East. Greenwood Publishing. pp. 89–90. ISBN 978-0-275-95128-3.
- ^ "The Saud Family and Wahhabi Islam Archived 16 March 2017 at the Wayback Machine". Library of Congress Country Studies.
- ^ Murphy, David (2008). The Arab Revolt 1916–18: Lawrence Sets Arabia Ablaze. Bloomsbury USA. pp. 5–8. ISBN 978-1-84603-339-1.
- ^ Madawi Al Rasheed (1997). Politics in an Arabian Oasis: The Rashidis of Saudi Arabia. Bloomsbury Academic. p. 81. ISBN 978-1-86064-193-0.
- ^ Anderson, Ewan W.; William Bayne Fisher (2000). The Middle East: Geography and Geopolitics. Routledge. p. 106. ISBN 978-0-415-07667-8.
- ^ R. Hrair Dekmejian (1994). Islam in Revolution: Fundamentalism in the Arab World. Syracuse University Press. p. 131. ISBN 978-0-8156-2635-0.
- ^ Tucker, Spencer; Priscilla Mary Roberts (205). The Encyclopedia of World War I. p. 565. ISBN 978-1-85109-420-2.
- ^ Hourani, Albert (2005). A History of the Arab Peoples. Faber & Faber. pp. 315–319. ISBN 978-0-571-22664-1.
- ^ Wynbrandt, James; Gerges, Fawaz A. (2010). A Brief History of Saudi Arabia. Infobase. p. 182. ISBN 978-0-8160-7876-9.
- ^ Lacey, Robert (2009). Inside the Kingdom. Arrow. pp. 15–16. ISBN 978-0-09-953905-6.
- ^ "History of Saudi Arabia. ( The Saudi National Day 23, Sep )". Prince Mohammad Bin Fahd University. Archived from the original on 6 December 2018. Retrieved 21 September 2018.
- ^ Mohamad Riad El-Ghonemy (1998). Afluence and Poverty in the Middle East. Routledge. p. 56. ISBN 978-0-415-10033-5.
- ^ a b "Saudi Arabia profile - Timeline". bbc.com. BBC News. 4 October 2019. Archived from the original on 29 September 2023. Retrieved 21 September 2023.
- ^ a b Al-Rasheed, pp. 136–137
- ^ Joy Winkie Viola (1986). Human Resources Development in Saudi Arabia: Multinationals and Saudization. International Human Resources Development Corporation. p. 37. ISBN 978-0-88746-070-8.
- ^ Rabasa, Angel; Benard, Cheryl; Chalk, Peter (2005). The Muslim world after 9/11. Rand Corporation. p. 42. ISBN 978-0-8330-3712-1.
- ^ a b Toby Craig Jones (2010). Desert Kingdom: How Oil and Water Forged Modern Saudi Arabia. Harvard University Press. pp. 218–219. ISBN 978-0-674-04985-7.
- ^ a b c Hegghammer, p. 24
- ^ Cordesman, Anthony H. (2003). Saudi Arabia Enters the 21st Century. p. 174. ISBN 978-0-275-98091-7.
- ^ El-Gamal, Mahmoud A. & Amy Myers Jaffe (2010). Oil, Dollars, Debt, and Crises: The Global Curse of Black Gold. Cambridge University Press. p. 41. ISBN 978-0-521-72070-0.
- ^ Abir 1993, p. 114.
- ^ Robert Fisk (2005) The Great War For Civilisation. Fourth Estate. p. 23. ISBN 978-1-4000-7517-1
- ^ Blanchard, Christopher (2009). Saudi Arabia: Background and U.S. Relations. United States Congressional Research Service. pp. 5–6.
- ^ Hegghammer, p. 31
- ^ Al-Rasheed, p. 212
- ^ a b Cordesman, Anthony H. (2009). Saudi Arabia: National Security in a Troubled Region. Abc-Clio. pp. 50–52. ISBN 978-0-313-38076-1.
- ^ "Flood sparks rare action". Reuters via Montreal Gazette. 29 January 2011. Archived from the original on 1 February 2011.
- ^ "Dozens detained in Saudi over flood protests". The Peninsula (Qatar)/Thomson-Reuters. 29 January 2011. Archived from the original on 2 March 2011.
- ^ Fisk, Robert (5 May 2011). "Saudis mobilise thousands of troops to quell growing revolt". The Independent. London. Archived from the original on 6 March 2011.
- ^ "Saudi ruler offers $36bn to stave off uprising amid warning oil price could double". The Daily Telegraph. London. 24 February 2011. Archived from the original on 10 January 2022.
- ^ "Saudi king gives billion-dollar cash boost to housing, jobs – Politics & Economics". Arabian Business. Bloomberg via ArabianBusiness.com. 23 February 2011. Archived from the original on 2 July 2017. Retrieved 24 September 2013.
- ^ "King Abdullah Returns to Kingdom, Enacts Measures to Boost the Economy". U.S.-Saudi Arabian Business Council. 23 February 2011. Archived from the original on 28 September 2013.
- ^ "Saudi king announces new benefits". Al Jazeera. 23 February 2011. Archived from the original on 6 August 2011. Retrieved 15 March 2011.
- ^ "Saudi Arabia's king announces huge jobs and housing package". The Guardian. Associated Press. 18 March 2011. Archived from the original on 18 October 2017. Retrieved 13 December 2016.
- ^ Abu, Donna (18 March 2011). "Saudi King to Spend $67 Billion on Housing, Jobs in Bid to Pacify Citizens". Bloomberg. Archived from the original on 26 January 2015. Retrieved 28 March 2024.
- ^ al-Suhaimy, Abeed (23 March 2011). "Saudi Arabia announces municipal elections". Asharq al-Awsat. Archived from the original on 1 May 2011. Retrieved 14 December 2012.
- ^ Abu-Nasr, Donna (28 March 2011). "Saudi Women Inspired by Fall of Mubarak Step Up Equality Demand". Bloomberg. Archived from the original on 2 April 2011.
- ^ "Saudis vote in municipal elections, results on Sunday". Oman Observer. Agence France-Presse. 30 September 2011. Archived from the original on 19 January 2012.
- ^ a b "The Tourists Guide To The 10 Amazing Volcanoes in Saudi Arabia". insidesaudi.com. Archived from the original on 14 April 2021. Retrieved 9 January 2021.
- ^ a b "VOLCANIC ARABIA: It started with tremors". archive.aramcoworld.com. Archived from the original on 11 February 2021. Retrieved 9 January 2021.
- ^ a b Stokes, Jamie (2009). Encyclopedia of the Peoples of Africa and the Middle East, Volume 1. Facts On File. p. 605. ISBN 978-0-8160-7158-6.
- ^ University Microfilms (2004). Dissertation Abstracts International: The sciences and engineering. p. 23.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l "Encyclopædia Britannica Online: Saudi Arabia". Encyclopædia Britannica. 28 May 2023. Archived from the original on 25 December 2018. Retrieved 25 January 2011.
- ^ Vincent, Peter (2008). Saudi Arabia: an environmental overview. Taylor & Francis. p. 141. ISBN 978-0-415-41387-9. Archived from the original on 28 March 2024. Retrieved 27 December 2021.
- ^ ElKholy, Lamiaa (3 August 2017). "VIDEO: Do you know there are 1,300 islands in Saudi Arabia?". Al Arabiya. Archived from the original on 22 September 2020. Retrieved 26 October 2019.
- ^ Mehio, Reem (13 January 2020). "Snow City: Saudi Arabia's Tabuk region dresses in white to mesmerize people". Step Feed. Archived from the original on 18 February 2021. Retrieved 9 January 2021.
- ^ "Second National Communication: Kingdom of Saudi Arabia" (PDF). UNFCCC. p. 2. Archived (PDF) from the original on 24 October 2016. Retrieved 24 October 2016.
- ^ "Saudi Arabia experiences more frequent snowfalls than its Gulf neighbours: Arabia Weather". gulfnews.com. 10 November 2024. Retrieved 10 November 2024.
- ^ "Saudi Arabia". Weather Online. Archived from the original on 16 January 2013. Retrieved 24 January 2011.
- ^ Dinerstein, Eric; et al. (2017). "An Ecoregion-Based Approach to Protecting Half the Terrestrial Realm". BioScience. 67 (6): 534–545. doi:10.1093/biosci/bix014. ISSN 0006-3568. PMC 5451287. PMID 28608869.
- ^ Judas, J.; Paillat, P.; Khoja, A.; Boug, A. (2006). "Status of the Arabian leopard in Saudi Arabia" (PDF). Cat News. Special Issue 1: 11–19. Archived (PDF) from the original on 3 October 2020. Retrieved 5 August 2018.
- ^ Spalton, J.A. & Al-Hikmani, H.M. (2006). "The Leopard in the Arabian Peninsula – Distribution and Subspecies Status" (PDF). Cat News (Special Issue 1): 4–8. Archived from the original on 16 December 2020. Retrieved 5 August 2018.
{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ Nowell, K.; Jackson, P. (1996). "Asiatic cheetah" (PDF). Wild Cats: Status Survey and Conservation Action Plan. Gland, Switzerland: IUCN/SSC Cat Specialist Group. pp. 41–44. ISBN 978-2-8317-0045-8. Archived (PDF) from the original on 29 May 2005. Retrieved 5 August 2018.
- ^ Nader, I. A. (1989). "Rare and endangered mammals of Saudi Arabia" (PDF). In Abu-Zinada, A. H.; Goriup, P. D.; Nader, L. A (eds.). Wildlife conservation and development in Saudi Arabia. Riyadh: National Commission for Wildlife Conservation and Development Publishing. pp. 220–228. Archived (PDF) from the original on 26 January 2019. Retrieved 28 March 2024.
- ^ a b Froese, Ranier; Pauly, Daniel (2009). "FishBase". Archived from the original on 17 December 2020. Retrieved 12 March 2009.
- ^ Siliotti, A. (2002). Verona, Geodia (ed.). Fishes of the red sea. Geodia Edizioni Internazionali. ISBN 978-88-87177-42-8.
- ^ a b c d World and Its Peoples: the Arabian Peninsula. Marshall Cavendish. 2007. p. 78. ISBN 978-0-7614-7571-2.
- ^ Robbers, Gerhard (2007). Encyclopedia of world constitutions, Volume 1. p. 791. ISBN 978-0-8160-6078-8.
- ^ Bandow, Doug (19 May 2020). "Time to Cut Off Saudi Arabia". Cato Institute. Archived from the original on 29 March 2021. Retrieved 19 March 2022.
- ^ Alkhaled, Sophia (27 January 2021). "Women's entrepreneurship in Saudi Arabia: Feminist solidarity and political activism in disguise?". Gender, Work & Organization. 28 (3): 950–972. doi:10.1111/gwao.12626.
- ^ Schlager, Weisblatt, Neil, Jayne; A. Faksh, Hendrickson, Mahmud, Mary (2006). "Kingdom of Saudi Arabia". World Encyclopedia of Political Systems and Parties (4th ed.). New York City: Facts on File. p. 1171. ISBN 978-0-8160-5953-9.
Saudi Arabia is not totalitarian. Travel outside the country is common, political crimes and violence are rare, people are not in constant fear of the police, and the state does not try to take over all existing organizations, such as philanthropic, religious, commercial, and industrial groups. Saudi rulers still see themselves in a parental role, much like a sheikh of a tribe who is in close touch with the concerns of his tribesmen and keeps those concerns in balance. For so long a time, a relatively benign monarchy has ruled over this populace that it has become used to being looked after in this manner. Therefore, until recently, calls for a more open, representative political system did not win wide support.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ Oliver Collin, L. Martin, Richard, Pamela (2013). An Introduction to World Politics. United Kingdom: Rowman & Littlefield. p. 269. ISBN 978-1-4422-1803-1.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ A. Dobratz, Betty; K. Waldner, Lisa; Buzzel, Timothy (2016). "2: Role of the state". Power, Politics, and Society: An Introduction to Political Sociology. NY 10017, New York, USA: Routledge. p. 50. ISBN 978-0-205-48629-8.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location (link) - ^ "Democracy Index 2022: Frontline democracy and the battle for Ukraine" (PDF). Economist Intelligence Unit. 2023. p. 11. Archived from the original (PDF) on 3 February 2023.
- ^ "Freedom House. Saudi Arabia". Freedom House. 2023. Archived from the original on 30 May 2023. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
- ^ V-Dem Institute (2023). "The V-Dem Dataset". Archived from the original on 8 December 2022. Retrieved 14 October 2023.
- ^ Noreng, Oystein (2005). Crude power: politics and the oil market. p. 97. ISBN 978-1-84511-023-9.
- ^ Long, p. 85
- ^ World and Its Peoples: the Arabian Peninsula. Marshall Cavendish. 2007. pp. 92–93. ISBN 978-0-7614-7571-2.
- ^ a b Al-Rasheed, pp. 180, 242–243, 248, 257–258
- ^ "Saudi king speeds reforms". Financial Times. 15 February 2009. Archived from the original on 10 December 2022.
- ^ "Prince Naif appointed deputy Saudi PM". Financial Times. 27 March 2009. Archived from the original on 10 December 2022.
- ^ "Reform in Saudi Arabia: At a snail's pace". The Economist. 30 September 2010. Archived from the original on 14 October 2017. Retrieved 20 February 2020.
- ^ Barenek, Ondrej (2009). "Divided We Survive: A Landscape of Fragmentation in Saudi Arabia" (PDF). Middle East Brief (33). Archived (PDF) from the original on 19 February 2009. Retrieved 3 December 2010.
- ^ "Open sectarianism in Saudi Arabia frightens Shi'ites". Reuters. 26 October 2015. Archived from the original on 3 October 2023. Retrieved 7 May 2022.
- ^ a b c Campbell, Christian (2007). Legal Aspects of Doing Business in the Middle East. Lulu Enterprises Incorporated. p. 265. ISBN 978-1-4303-1914-6. Archived from the original on 17 January 2023. Retrieved 22 August 2020.
- ^ "Saud Names His Brother Prime Minister of Nation". The New York Times. Jeddah. Associated Press. 17 August 1954. ProQuest 112933832.
- ^ "Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince to become Kingdom's Prime Minister: Royal decree". Al Arabiya English. 27 September 2022. Archived from the original on 27 September 2022. Retrieved 27 September 2022.
- ^ Library of Congress, Federal Research Division (2006). "Country Profile: Saudi Arabia" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 28 June 2011. Retrieved 10 December 2010.
- ^ a b "The House of Saud: rulers of modern Saudi Arabia". Financial Times. 30 September 2010. Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 12 March 2015.
- ^ Bowen 2007, p. 15.
- ^ Curtis, Michael (1986). The Middle East reader. Transaction Books. p. 235. ISBN 978-0-88738-101-0.
- ^ M. Jane Davis (1996). Security issues in the post-cold war world. Edward Elgar. p. 81. ISBN 978-1-85898-334-9.
- ^ Alianak, Sonia (2007). Middle Eastern leaders and Islam: a precarious equilibrium. Peter Lang. p. 67. ISBN 978-0-8204-6924-9.
- ^ Holden, William (1982). Saudi Arabia and its royal family. Secaucus, N.J. : L. Stuart. pp. 154–156. ISBN 978-0-8184-0326-2.
- ^ Jennifer Bond Reed; Lange, Brenda (2006). Saudi Royal Family. Chelsea House. p. 14. ISBN 978-0-7910-9218-7.
- ^ "The corrupt, feudal world of the House of Saud". The Independent. London. 14 May 2003. Archived from the original on 10 October 2011.
- ^ Abir 1993, p. 73; Bowen 2007, p. 108.
- ^ Cordesman, Anthony H. (2003). Saudi Arabia Enters the 21st Century. pp. 47, 142. ISBN 978-0-275-98091-7.
- ^ Burbach, Roger; Clarke, Ben (2002). September 11 and the U.S. war: beyond the curtain of smoke. City Lights Publishers. p. 32. ISBN 978-0-87286-404-7.
- ^ Freedom House (2005). Freedom in the Middle East and North Africa: A Freedom in the World Special Edition. Rowman & Littlefield. p. 63. ISBN 978-0-7425-3775-0.
- ^ Bergman, Lowell (9 October 2001). "A Nation Challenged: The Plots; Saudi Arabia Also a Target Of Attacks, U.S. Officials Say". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 14 June 2018. Retrieved 23 February 2017.
- ^ Ottaway, David (2008). The King's Messenger. Prince Bandar Bin Sultan and America's Tangled Relationship with Saudi Arabia. Walker & Company. p. 162. ISBN 978-0-8027-1690-3.
- ^ Robertson, David (7 June 2007). "Saudi bribe claims delay £20bn fighter deal". The Times. London. Archived from the original on 17 January 2023. Retrieved 29 June 2011.
- ^ "Interview: Bandar Bin Sultan". PBS. 2001. Archived from the original on 31 March 2019. Retrieved 3 September 2017.
- ^ "Corruption Perceptions Index 2010". Transparency International. 15 December 2010. Archived from the original on 26 December 2018. Retrieved 2 December 2010.
- ^ Kirkpatrick, David (4 November 2017). "Saudi Arabia Arrests 11 Princes, Including Billionaire Alwaleed bin Talal". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 8 November 2017. Retrieved 28 March 2024.
- ^ Goldstein, Natalie (2010). Religion and the State. Facts On File. p. 118. ISBN 978-0-8160-8090-8.
- ^ a b Obaid, Nawaf E. (September 1999). "The Power of Saudi Arabia's Islamic Leaders". Middle East Quarterly. VI (3): 51–58. Archived from the original on 6 August 2011. Retrieved 8 December 2010.
- ^ Farsy, Fouad (1992). Modernity and tradition: the Saudi equation. Knight Communications. p. 29. ISBN 978-1-874132-03-5.
- ^ a b c Ron Eduard Hassner (2009). War on sacred grounds. Cornell University Press. p. 143. ISBN 978-0-8014-4806-5.
- ^ Abir (1987), p. 30
- ^ a b Abir 1993, p. 21.
- ^ a b Bakri, Nada (29 November 2010). "Abdullah, King of Saudi Arabia". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 27 July 2013. Retrieved 29 June 2011.
- ^ Abir (1987), p. 4
- ^ Wilson, Peter W.; Graham, Douglas (1994). Saudi Arabia: the coming storm. M.E. Sharpe. p. 16. ISBN 978-1-56324-394-3.
- ^ Long, p. 11
- ^ a b Saudi Arabia King Fahd Bin Abdul Aziz Al-Saud Handbook. International Business Publications. 2011. ISBN 978-0-7397-2740-9.
- ^ Nyrop, Richard F. (2008). Area Handbook for the Persian Gulf States. Wildside Press LLC. p. 50. ISBN 978-1-4344-6210-7.
- ^ Bligh, Alexander (1985). "The Saudi religious elite (Ulama) as participant in the political system of the kingdom". International Journal of Middle East Studies. 17: 37–50. doi:10.1017/S0020743800028750. S2CID 154565116.
- ^ Mattar, Philip (2004). Encyclopedia of the Modern Middle East & North Africa: Vol. 1 A–C. Macmillan Reference USA. p. 101. ISBN 978-0-02-865770-7.
- ^ Bowen 2007, p. 13.
- ^ Otto, pp. 161–162
- ^ The Report: Saudi Arabia. Oxford Business Group. 2009. p. 202. ISBN 978-1-902339-00-9.
it is not always possible to reach a conclusion on how a Saudi court or judicial committee would view a particular case [because] decisions of a court or a judicial committee have no binding authority with respect to another case, [and] in general there is also no system of court reporting in the Kingdom.
- ^ Hefner, Robert W. (2011). Shari'a Politics: Islamic Law and Society in the Modern World. Indiana University Press. p. 58. ISBN 978-0-253-22310-4.
- ^ Juan Eduardo Campo (2006). Encyclopedia of Islam. Facts On File. p. 288. ISBN 978-0-8160-5454-1.
- ^ Turak, Natasha (9 February 2021). "Saudi Arabia announces major legal reforms, paving the way for codified law". CNBC. Archived from the original on 4 March 2021. Retrieved 20 September 2022.
- ^ Otto, p. 157
- ^ Esposito, John L. (1998). Islam and politics. Syracuse University Press. pp. 110–112. ISBN 978-0-8156-2774-6.
- ^ Campbell, Christian (2007). Legal Aspects of Doing Business in the Middle East. Lulu Enterprises Incorporated. pp. 268–269. ISBN 978-1-4303-1914-6.
- ^ "Saudi Arabian justice: Cruel, or just unusual?". The Economist. 14 June 2001. Archived from the original on 8 April 2018. Retrieved 20 February 2020.
- ^ "Saudis Face Soaring Blood-Money Sums". The Washington Post. 27 July 2008. Archived from the original on 12 November 2012. Retrieved 3 September 2017.
- ^ "Saudi Arabia: Administrative divisions". arab.net. Archived from the original on 9 November 2019. Retrieved 13 May 2008.
- ^ "United Nations Member States". United Nations. Archived from the original on 30 December 2013. Retrieved 29 June 2017.
- ^ "The foreign policy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia". Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Saudi Arabia. 5 July 2005. Archived from the original on 19 December 2012. Retrieved 31 July 2011.
- ^ "OPEC : Brief History". OPEC.org. Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries. Archived from the original on 28 February 2013. Retrieved 20 May 2015.
- ^ "The Arab Oil Threat". The New York Times. 23 November 1973. Archived from the original on 22 July 2019. Retrieved 22 July 2019.
- ^ "The price of oil – in context". CBC News. 18 April 2006. Archived from the original on 9 June 2007.
- ^ "How strained are US-Saudi relations?". BBC News. 20 April 2016. Archived from the original on 17 April 2019. Retrieved 22 June 2018.
- ^ "Saudi-US Relations | The Embassy of The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia". www.saudiembassy.net. Archived from the original on 3 December 2023. Retrieved 29 September 2023.
- ^ "United States-Saudi Arabia Relationship: Eight Decades of Partnership". United States Department of State. Archived from the original on 23 February 2024. Retrieved 29 September 2023.
- ^ Ménoret, Pascal (2005). The Saudi enigma: a history. Zed Books. p. 22. ISBN 978-1-84277-605-6.
- ^ David, Javier E. (20 May 2017). "US-Saudi Arabia ink historic 10-year weapons deal worth $350 billion as Trump begins visit". CNBC. Archived from the original on 21 May 2019. Retrieved 28 October 2018.
- ^ "The truth about President Trump's $110 billion Saudi arms deal". ABC News. Archived from the original on 7 June 2017. Retrieved 28 July 2021.
- ^ Wiktorowicz, Quintan (2004). Islamic activism: a social movement theory approach. Indiana University Press. p. 255. ISBN 978-0-253-34281-2.
- ^ "YouGov Cambridge Globalism 2019/20" (PDF). YouGov. Archived (PDF) from the original on 21 September 2021.
- ^ "China's Alliance With Russia Weakens Its Position in Eastern Europe". Morning Consult. 4 August 2022. Archived from the original on 14 February 2024.
Besides Russia, the five countries with the most favorable views of China are Pakistan, Nigeria, Bangladesh, Peru and Colombia, just ahead of two of China's major fossil fuel sources, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
- ^ "Fewer global citizens believe China will have positive influence on world affairs in coming decade". Ipsos. November 2020. Archived from the original on 2 October 2021.
- ^ "Saudi Arabia's Mohammed bin Salman Defends China's Use of Concentration Camps for Muslims During Visit to Beijing". Newsweek. 22 February 2019. Archived from the original on 10 October 2019. Retrieved 10 March 2019.
- ^ "Saudi crown prince defends China's right to fight 'terrorism'". Al-Jazeera. 23 February 2019. Archived from the original on 19 June 2019. Retrieved 10 March 2019.
- ^ "Which Countries Are For or Against China's Xinjiang Policies?". The Diplomat. 15 July 2019. Archived from the original on 11 October 2019. Retrieved 19 July 2019.
For other states, such as Russia, Saudi Arabia, and North Korea, their own human rights records at home have come under frequent attack abroad and so defending China becomes a roundabout way of defending themselves.
- ^ "WikiLeaks Shows a Saudi Obsession With Iran Archived 25 January 2017 at the Wayback Machine". The New York Times. 16 July 2015.
- ^ Black, Ian; Tisdall, Simon (28 November 2010). "Saudi Arabia urges US attack on Iran to stop nuclear programme". The Guardian. London. Archived from the original on 16 February 2017. Retrieved 13 December 2016.
- ^ Watson, Mark (2008). Prophets and princes: Saudi Arabia from Muhammad to the present. John Wiley & Sons. p. 2. ISBN 978-0-470-18257-4.
- ^ "Saudi-Canada trade row: What business is at stake?". AMEinfo.com. 6 August 2018. Archived from the original on 17 May 2019. Retrieved 7 August 2018.
- ^ "Welcome to the Saudi Arabia vs. Canada Troll War". Vice. 7 August 2018. Archived from the original on 28 October 2018. Retrieved 28 October 2018.
- ^ "Pompeo pressed on claims China is helping build Saudi uranium facility". The Guardian. 19 August 2020. Archived from the original on 19 August 2020. Retrieved 19 August 2020.
- ^ Edward Clifford (6 December 2014). "Financing Terrorism: Saudi Arabia and Its Foreign Affairs". brownpoliticalreview.org. Archived from the original on 18 October 2015. Retrieved 19 September 2015.
- ^ Walsh, Declan (5 December 2010). "WikiLeaks cables portray Saudi Arabia as a cash machine for terrorists". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 15 December 2016. Retrieved 11 December 2016.
- ^ "Maliki: Saudi and Qatar at war against Iraq". Al Jazeera. Archived from the original on 1 October 2015. Retrieved 14 September 2015.
- ^ "Syria conflict: BBC exclusive interview with President Bashar al-Assad" with Jeremy Bowen Archived 16 February 2020 at the Wayback Machine (9 February 2015)
- ^ Al-Rasheed, Madawi (2010). A History of Saudi Arabia. Cambridge University Press. p. 233. ISBN 978-0-521-74754-7.
- ^ Kaim, Markus (2008). Great powers and regional orders: the United States and the Persian Gulf. Ashgate Publishing. p. 68. ISBN 978-0-7546-7197-8.
- ^ Walsh, Declan (5 December 2010). "WikiLeaks cables portray Saudi Arabia as a cash machine for terrorists". The Guardian. London. Archived from the original on 15 December 2016. Retrieved 13 December 2016.
- ^ Malbouisson, p. 27
- ^ "Why Obama doesn't want 9/11 families suing Saudi Arabia Archived 13 January 2019 at the Wayback Machine". USA Today. 23 September 2016.
- ^ ""هيئة كبار العلماء" السعودية تحرم الالتحاق "بالقاعدة" وتنظيم "الدولة الإسلامية"". فرانس 24 / France 24 (in Arabic). 17 September 2014. Retrieved 7 August 2024.
- ^ "U.S. Relations With Saudi Arabia". United States Department of State. Retrieved 10 August 2024.
- ^ Borger, Julian; McGreal, Chris; Finn, Tom (1 November 2010). "Cargo plane bomb plot: Saudi double agent 'gave crucial alert'". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 10 August 2024.
- ^ "Saudi Arabia forms Islamic anti-terror coalition – DW – 12/15/2015". Deutsche Welle. Retrieved 10 August 2024.
- ^ Khalilzad, Zalmay (14 September 2016). "'We Misled You': How the Saudis Are Coming Clean on Funding Terrorism". Politico Magazine. Archived from the original on 19 October 2021. Retrieved 11 October 2021.
- ^ a b "Saudi cabinet curbs powers of religious police". Reuters. 13 April 2016. Archived from the original on 11 October 2021. Retrieved 11 October 2021.
- ^ "Saudi Arabia to stop funding mosques in foreign countries". Middle East Monitor. 25 January 2020. Archived from the original on 11 October 2021. Retrieved 11 October 2021.
- ^ IISS (2023). The Military Balance 2023. International Institute for Strategic Studies. pp. 351–354.
- ^ "Saudi Arabia". CIA World Factbook. Archived from the original on 19 March 2021. Retrieved 4 February 2024.
- ^ "Saudi Arabia: The Gulf's Best-Equipped Military". Defense News. 26 March 2015. Archived from the original on 28 March 2024. Retrieved 28 March 2024.
- ^ Military expenditure by country as a percentage of gross domestic product, 1988–2019 © SIPRI 2020 (PDF). SIPRI.ORG. 2020. p. 14. Archived (PDF) from the original on 5 August 2020. Retrieved 25 July 2020.
- ^ a b Global defence spending: the United States widens the gap Archived 25 July 2020 at the Wayback Machine (IISS) – 14 February 2020
- ^ "USA and France dramatically increase major arms exports; Saudi Arabia is largest arms importer, says SIPRI". SIPRI. 9 March 2020. Archived from the original on 27 May 2020. Retrieved 25 July 2020.
- ^ Wezeman, Pieter D.; Kuimova, Alexandra (May 2019). "Military Spending and Arms Imports by Iran, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the UAE" (PDF). SIPRI Fact Sheet: 1. Archived (PDF) from the original on 9 August 2020. Retrieved 25 July 2020.
- ^ "Global Militarisation Index 2019" (PDF). BICC: 8 and 14. 2019. Archived from the original (PDF) on 6 August 2021. Retrieved 28 July 2020.
- ^ "About this Collection | Country Studies | Digital Collections | Library of Congress". Library of Congress. Archived from the original on 13 February 2015. Retrieved 9 August 2020.
- ^ Venter, Al J. (2007). Allah's Bomb: The Islamic Quest for Nuclear Weapons. Globe Pequot. pp. 150–153. ISBN 978-1-59921-205-0.
- ^ "Saudi Arabia's nuclear gambit". Asia Times. 7 November 2003. Archived from the original on 7 November 2003.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ "Yemen Crisis: Saudi Arabia Masses 150,000 Troops to Support Airstrikes". NBC News. 26 March 2015. Archived from the original on 4 February 2024. Retrieved 4 February 2024.
- ^ "What Military Target Was in My Brother's House – Unlawful Coalition Airstrikes in Yemen". Human Rights Watch. 26 November 2015. Archived from the original on 27 November 2015. ("PDF download" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 27 November 2015.)
- ^ Almeida, Alex; Knights, Michael (25 March 2016). "Gulf Coalition Operations in Yemen (Part 1): The Ground War". The Washington Institute for Near East Policy. Archived from the original on 6 December 2017. Retrieved 4 February 2024.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ Knights, Michael (25 March 2016). "Gulf Coalition Operations in Yemen (Part 2): The Air War". The Washington Institute for Near East Policy. Archived from the original on 4 February 2024. Retrieved 4 February 2024.
- ^ Pollak, Nadav; Knights, Michael (25 March 2016). "Gulf Coalition Operations in Yemen (Part 3): Maritime and Aerial Blockade". The Washington Institute for Near East Policy. Archived from the original on 4 February 2024. Retrieved 4 February 2024.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ Unattributed (28 February 2005). "Country Reports on Human Rights Practices – 2004". US Department of State, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labour. Archived from the original on 7 November 2021. Retrieved 2 June 2008.
- ^ Worst of the Worst 2010. The World's Most Repressive Societies Archived 24 October 2021 at the Wayback Machine. freedomhouse.org
- ^ "SAUDI ARABIA 2016/2017". Archived from the original on 15 August 2017. Retrieved 4 November 2017.
- ^ Nisrine Abiad (2008). Sharia, Muslim states and international human rights treaty obligations: a comparative study. BIICL. pp. 60–65. ISBN 978-1-905221-41-7. Archived from the original on 18 January 2023. Retrieved 28 March 2024.
- ^ Valerie Anishchenkova (1 June 2020). Modern Saudi Arabia. ABC-CLIO. pp. 74–. ISBN 978-1-4408-5705-8. OCLC 1137212712. Archived from the original on 28 March 2024. Retrieved 16 January 2022.
- ^ "Saudi Arabia". freedomhouse.org. 1 November 2018. Archived from the original on 22 February 2020. Retrieved 31 March 2019.
- ^ Alisa, Shishkina; Issaev, Leonid (14 November 2018). "Internet Censorship in Arab Countries: Religious and Moral Aspects" (PDF). Religions. 9 (11): 358. doi:10.3390/rel9110358. Archived from the original on 31 March 2019. Retrieved 31 March 2019. Alt URL
- ^ "Saudi internet rules, 2001". al-bab.com. Archived from the original on 31 March 2019. Retrieved 31 March 2019.
- ^ al-Omar, Asmaa; Hubbard, Ben (13 August 2021). "For a Crime at 14, He Faces Death in a Case Casting Doubt on Saudi Reforms". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on 3 October 2023. Retrieved 19 January 2022.
A former site of public executions in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia's capital.
- ^ "2009 Human Rights Report: Saudi Arabia". United States Department of State. Archived from the original on 15 March 2010.
- ^ "Saudi Arabia: An upsurge in public executions". Amnesty International. 30 June 1993. Archived from the original on 22 November 2018. Retrieved 21 November 2018.
- ^ "Rights group condemns Saudi beheadings". Associated Press. 14 October 2008. Archived from the original on 4 November 2013. Retrieved 14 October 2008.
- ^ Whitaker, Brian (9 August 2003). "Saudi system condemned". The Guardian. London. Archived from the original on 13 March 2013. Retrieved 27 July 2011.
- ^ a b "Saudi executioner tells all". BBC News. 5 June 2003. Archived from the original on 1 April 2009. Retrieved 11 July 2011.
- ^ a b Federal Research Division (2004). Saudi Arabia A Country Study. p. 304. ISBN 978-1-4191-4621-3.
- ^ a b Miethe, Terance D.; Lu, Hong (2004). Punishment: a comparative historical perspective. Cambridge University Press. p. 63. ISBN 978-0-521-60516-8.
- ^ "Saudi Arabia puts 81 to death in its largest mass execution". AP NEWS. 12 March 2022. Archived from the original on 24 October 2022. Retrieved 24 October 2022.
Well about the death penalty, we got rid of all of it, except for one category, and this one is written in the Quran
- ^ "Saudi Arabia to abolish flogging – supreme court". BBC News. 24 April 2020. Archived from the original on 24 April 2020. Retrieved 24 April 2020.
- ^ "In landmark decision, Saudi Arabia to eliminate flogging punishment". Al Arabiya English. 24 April 2020. Archived from the original on 28 April 2020. Retrieved 24 April 2020.
- ^ "Boxed In — Women and Saudi Arabia's Male Guardianship System". Human Rights Watch. 16 July 2016. Archived from the original on 26 August 2016. Retrieved 22 May 2018.
- ^ "Human Rights Tribune – ed. Spring 2001" (PDF). Human Rights Tribune. International Human Rights Documentation Network. Spring 2001. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2 October 2008. Retrieved 21 August 2007.
- ^ Andrea Dworkin (1978). "A Feminist Looks at Saudi Arabia". Andrea Dworkin on nostatusquo.com. Archived from the original on 29 August 2012. Retrieved 2 June 2008.
- ^ Handrahan LM (Spring 2001). "Gender Apartheid and Cultural Absolution: Saudi Arabia and the International Criminal Court". Human Rights Tribune'. 8 (1). Human Rights Internet. [dead link]
- ^ "The Australian who has become a prisoner of gender apartheid". The Sydney Morning Herald. 14 November 2009. Archived from the original on 17 February 2010. Retrieved 6 March 2010.
- ^ GFOELLER, MICHAEL; RUNDELL, DAVID H. (5 June 2023). "Saudi Arabia and the U.S. Are More Than Just Oil and Water". Newsweek. Archived from the original on 6 June 2023. Retrieved 6 June 2023.
- ^ "Saudi Arabia's ban on women driving officially ends". 23 June 2018.
- ^ "Trafficking In Persons". cia.gov. The World Factbook. Archived from the original on 8 December 2015. Retrieved 4 December 2015.
- ^ "Saudi Arabia: "It's like we are not human": Forced returns, abhorrent detention conditions of Ethiopian migrants in Saudi Arabia". Amnesty International. 16 December 2022. p. 6. Archived from the original on 14 March 2024. Retrieved 14 March 2024.
Under Saudi Arabia's repressive sponsorship (kafala) system, migrant workers are only able to obtain a work permit or residency through an employer, and they are only able to terminate their contracts or change employers under certain conditions without the consent of their employer. Those who lose their residency status, either because they leave their jobs without the consent of the employer or overstay their work permits, and those who are unable to find employment in the formal sector are at risk of arbitrary detention, deportation to their home country by the authorities, as well as abuses such as forced labour and physical and sexual assault.
- ^ "French prosecutors probe slavery claims against Saudi prince". Middle East Eye. 6 July 2021. Archived from the original on 14 March 2024. Retrieved 14 March 2024.
Human rights groups have often criticised Saudi Arabia's kafala system, a policy they say is exploitative and a form of modern slavery.
- ^ "World Economic Outlook Database, October 2022". IMF.org. International Monetary Fund. October 2022. Retrieved 11 October 2022.
- ^ "Saudi Arabia". OPEC. 1 January 1995. Retrieved 28 September 2012.
- ^ "OPEC Decides Not To Increase Oil Production", Jeff Brady. NPR. 8 June 2011. Retrieved 19 August 2011
- ^ "Saudi Arabia's first step towards clean energy technologies". UNDP. Archived from the original on 28 May 2012. Retrieved 5 February 2012.
- ^ Balamir Coşkun, Bezen (Winter 2009). "Global Energy Geopolitics and Iran" (PDF). Uluslararası İlişkiler. 5 (20): 179–201. Archived from the original on 1 April 2014.
{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ Anthony, Craig (12 September 2016). "10 Countries With The Most Natural Resources". Investopedia.
- ^ By Nayla Razzouk and Claudia Carpenter (19 December 2017). "Saudi Arabia Sees Higher Oil Revenue as OPEC Cuts Boost Prices". Bloomberg.com.
- ^ "OEC – Saudi Arabia (SAU) Exports, Imports, and Trade Partners". oec.world. Retrieved 15 August 2019.
- ^ Coy, Peter (16 July 2014). "Online Education Targets Saudi Arabia's Labor Problem, Starting With Women". Bloomberg Businessweek. Archived from the original on 17 July 2014.
Saudi citizens account for two-thirds of employment in the high-paying, comfortable public sector, but only one-fifth of employment in the more dynamic private sector, according to the International Monetary Fund (PDF).
- ^ Economists "estimate only 30–40 percent of working-age Saudis hold jobs or actively seek work," the official employment rate of around 12 percent notwithstanding: McDowall, Angus (19 January 2014). "Saudi Arabia doubles private sector jobs in 30-month period". Reuters.
- ^ a b Tripp, Culture Shock, 2009: p. 206
- ^ "Crude Oil Reserves". Archived from the original on 22 November 2010.
- ^ Simmons, Matthew (2005) [10 June 2005]. Twilight in the Desert: The Coming Saudi Oil Shock and the World Economy. Wiley. ISBN 978-0-471-73876-3.
- ^ Abdel Aziz Aluwaisheg (29 September 2014). "When privatization goes wrong". Arab News.
- ^ House, p. 161: "Over the past decade, the government has announced one plan after another to 'Saudize' the economy, but to no avail. The foreign workforce grows, and so does unemployment among Saudis. .... The previous plan called for slashing unemployment to 2.8% only to see it rise to 10.5% in 2009, the end of that plan period. Government plans in Saudi are like those in the old Soviet Union, grandiose but unmet. (Also, as in the old Soviet Union, nearly all Saudi official statistics are unreliable, so economists believe the real Saudi unemployment rate is closer to 40%)"
- ^ Mohammad Taqi al-Modarresi (26 March 2016). The Laws of Islam (PDF). Enlight Press. p. 471. ISBN 978-0-9942409-8-9. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2 August 2019. Retrieved 22 December 2017.
- ^ "Ancient silk road port found in Saudi Arabia". nationthailand. 24 March 2018.
- ^ "How Saudi Arabia revived the ancient Silk Road". Arab News. 3 September 2016.
- ^ "China to Boost Belt and Road Links with Saudi Arabia". The Maritime Executive.
- ^ "Insights". www.business.hsbc.ae. 25 March 2022.
- ^ "Poverty Hides Amid Saudi Arabia's Oil Wealth". NPR. NPR.
- ^ "Mal3ob 3alena : Poverty in Saudi Arabia English Version". YouTube. Archived from the original on 20 October 2011.
- ^ Gutman, Roy (4 December 2011). "Saudi dissidents turn to YouTube to air their frustrations". McClatchy Newspapers.
- ^ Hill, Amelia (23 October 2011). "Saudi film-makers enter second week of detention". The Guardian. London.
- ^ "A foreign Saudi plot to expose foreign poverty in foreign Saudi". Lebanon Spring. 19 October 2011. Archived from the original on 3 January 2012.
- ^ "Poverty exists in Saudi Arabia too | The Observers". France 24. 28 October 2008.
- ^ "Saudi Prince's Year of Prestige Is Unraveling in Front of Him". Bloomberg.com. 29 April 2020. Retrieved 29 April 2020.
- ^ "Saudi Arabia Looks at 'Painful' Measures, Deep Spending Cuts". Bloomberg.com. 2 May 2020. Retrieved 2 May 2020.
- ^ "Saudi Arabia, China sign three renewable energy deals". gulfnews.com. 17 July 2024. Retrieved 17 July 2024.
- ^ "Saudi Arabia signs $180 billion deals for its green economy". gulfnews.com. 17 July 2024. Retrieved 17 July 2024.
- ^ Wippel, Steffen (4 October 2023). Branding the Middle East: Communication Strategies and Image Building from Qom to Casablanca. De Gruyter. ISBN 9783110741155.
- ^ Foreign Agriculture 1992. Foreign Agricultural Service. December 1992. p. 118.
- ^ Roberts, David B. (18 April 2023). Security Politics in the Gulf Monarchies: Continuity Amid Change. Columbia University Press. ISBN 9780231555913.
- ^ "Saudi Arabia ends domestic wheat production program". Retrieved 8 October 2018.
- ^ "Saudi Arabia Stakes a Claim on the Nile – Water Grabbers – National Geographic". 19 December 2012. Retrieved 16 September 2015.
- ^ "Innovation Drive Al-Marai". Elopak. Archived from the original on 13 November 2008. Retrieved 3 October 2008.
- ^ "Inside the Saudi olive farm, the largest in the world". Dubai: Al Arabiya English. 3 May 2018. Retrieved 8 October 2018.
- ^ "Saudi Arabia plants 13 million mangrove seedlings". gulfnews.com. 24 July 2024. Retrieved 24 July 2024.
- ^ "Desalination in Saudi Arabia: An attractive investment opportunity". Arab News. 25 November 2018.
- ^ "What California can learn from Saudi Arabia's water mystery". 22 April 2015. Retrieved 26 March 2019.
- ^ "Saudi Arabia's Great Thirst". National Geographic. 10 January 2017. Retrieved 26 March 2019.
- ^ RYOT (9 November 2015). "Saudi Farmers Buy Up US Land After Drying Out Theirs". Retrieved 26 March 2019 – via YouTube.[dead YouTube link]
- ^ "Saudi dairy giant Almarai buys agricultural land in USA". english.alarabiya.net. 9 March 2014. Retrieved 26 March 2019.
- ^ "Saudi firm buys farmland in Argentina to secure animal feed". USA Today. Retrieved 26 March 2019.
- ^ "Outsourcing's third wave". The Economist. 21 May 2009. Retrieved 26 March 2019.
- ^ Wilkerson, Michael (15 July 2009). "Why is Saudi Arabia buying up African farmland?". Retrieved 26 March 2019.
- ^ Aburawa, Arwa (26 June 2012). "African Land Grab Continues – Middle East Is Major Buyer". Green Prophet. Retrieved 26 March 2019.
- ^ "An incredible image shows how powerful countries are buying up much of the world's land". The Washington Post. 21 May 2015. Retrieved 26 March 2019.
- ^ Khetani, Sanya. "These 14 Countries Are Buying Incredible Amounts Of Foreign Land In Deals You Never Hear About". Business Insider. Retrieved 26 March 2019.
- ^ Demick, Barbara (29 March 2014). "China looks abroad for greener pastures". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 26 March 2019.
- ^ FAO. 2023. World Food and Agriculture – Statistical Yearbook 2023. Rome. p. 41–42
- ^ "WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Program". Archived from the original on 16 February 2008. Retrieved 27 October 2007.
- ^ "WASHWatch Saudi Arabia". washwatch.org. Retrieved 22 March 2017.
- ^ WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme for Water Supply and Sanitation
- ^ Hiltner, Stephen (5 June 2024). "Surprising, Unsettling, Surreal: Roaming Through Saudi Arabia". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 5 June 2024.
- ^ Tourism in Saudi Arabia: Wish you were here, economist.com.
- ^ Tourism key to Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 plans, arabianbusiness.com
- ^ "Saudi Arabia to offer visitor visa for special events from December". Reuters. Retrieved 25 September 2018.
- ^ "Tourist Visa to Saudi Arabia: Revising Age-Old Policies for Visitors". Mirror Herald. Retrieved 8 September 2019.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Saudi visa on arrival for tourists with UK, US, EU visas". Arab News. 4 January 2020. Retrieved 21 June 2021.
- ^ "Saudi Arabia's population crosses 32 million, census results show". Saudigazette. 31 May 2023. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
- ^ "@stats_saudi". Twitter. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
- ^ a b "The World Factbook: Saudi Arabia". Central Intelligence Agency. 21 December 2021. Archived from the original on 19 March 2021. Retrieved 4 January 2022.
- ^ Thiollet, Hélène (2 August 2021). "Migrants and monarchs: regime survival, state transformation and migration politics in Saudi Arabia". Third World Quarterly. 43 (7): 1645–1665. doi:10.1080/01436597.2021.1948325. S2CID 238794883.
- ^ "World Population Prospects: The 2010 Revision". United Nations. Archived from the original on 7 May 2011. Retrieved 7 December 2016.
- ^ Long, p. 27
- ^ One journalist states that 51% of the Saudi population is under the age of 25: Caryle Murphy (7 February 2012). "Saudi Arabia's Youth and the Kingdom's Future". Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars' Environmental Change and Security Program. Two other sources state that 60% is under the age of 21: "Out of the comfort zone". The Economist. 3 March 2012., House, p. 221
- ^ "Saudi Arabia". The World Factbook. Cia.gov. 8 February 2022.
- ^ "Mecca: Islam's cosmopolitan heart". Archived from the original on 14 December 2018. Retrieved 8 July 2014.
The Hijaz is the largest, most populated, and most culturally and religiously diverse region of Saudi Arabia, in large part because it was the traditional host area of all the pilgrims to Mecca, many of whom settled and intermarried there.
- ^ "Saudi Arabia Population Statistics 2011 (Arabic)" (PDF). p. 11. Archived from the original (PDF) on 15 November 2013.
- ^ House, p. 69: "Most Saudis only two generations ago eked out a subsistence living in rural provinces, but ... urbanization over the past 40 years [so now] .... fully 80% of Saudis now live in one of the country's three major urban centers – Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam."
- ^ Tripp, Culture Shock, 2003: p. 31
- ^ Willem Adriaan Veenhoven and Winifred Crum Ewing (1976) Case studies on human rights and fundamental freedoms: a world survey, Brill, p. 452. ISBN 978-90-247-1779-8
- ^ "Religion & Ethics – Islam and slavery: Abolition". BBC.
- ^ "Slavery". Encyclopædia Britannica. Archived from the original on 1 February 2012.
- ^ "About ArRiyadh". High Commission for the Development of Ar-Riyadh. Archived from the original on 6 December 2018. Retrieved 14 June 2017.
- ^ a b c d e f "Population Distribution (Saudi and Non Saudi) in Governorates of Eastern Region, 2013 A.D." Stats.gov.sa. Archived from the original on 31 May 2019. Retrieved 14 June 2017.
- ^ a b c d "Population Distribution (Saudi and Non Saudi) in Governorates of Makkah Al-Mokarramah Region, 2014 A.D." Stats.gov.sa. Archived from the original on 2 March 2016. Retrieved 14 June 2017.
- ^ a b "Population Distribution (Saudi and Non Saudi) in Governorates of Aseer Region, 2013 A.D." Stats.gov.sa. Archived from the original on 31 May 2019. Retrieved 14 June 2017.
- ^ "Population Distribution (Saudi and Non Saudi) in Governorates of Hail Region, 2013 A.D." Stats.gov.sa. Archived from the original on 25 November 2020. Retrieved 14 June 2017.
- ^ a b "Population Distribution (Saudi and Non Saudi) in Governorates of Al-Madinah Al-Monawarah Region, 2013 A.D." Stats.gov.sa. Archived from the original on 31 May 2019. Retrieved 14 June 2017.
- ^ "Population Distribution (Saudi and Non Saudi) in Governorates of Al-Riyad Region, 2013 A.D." Stats.gov.sa. Archived from the original on 31 May 2019. Retrieved 14 June 2017.
- ^ "Population Distribution (Saudi and Non Saudi) in Governorates of Al-Qaseem Region, 2013 A.D." Stats.gov.sa. Archived from the original on 31 May 2019. Retrieved 14 June 2017.
- ^ "Population Distribution (Saudi and Non Saudi) in Governorates of Najran Region, 2013 A.D." Stats.gov.sa. Archived from the original on 31 May 2019. Retrieved 14 June 2017.
- ^ "Population Distribution (Saudi and Non Saudi) in Governorates of Tabouk Region, 2013 A.D." Stats.gov.sa. Archived from the original on 12 November 2020. Retrieved 14 June 2017.
- ^ Arabic, Najdi Spoken. Ethnologue
- ^ Arabic, Hijazi Spoken. Ethnologue
- ^ Arabic, Gulf Spoken. Ethnologue
- ^ Prochazka, Theodore (2015). Saudi Arabian dialects (First issued in paperpack ed.). London: Routledge. p. 3. ISBN 9781138981294.
- ^ الحيدري, فيصل (20 June 2012). "20 ألف سعودي يتحدثون "المهرية"". Watanksa (in Arabic). Retrieved 19 September 2022.
- ^ "Saudi Arabia". Ethnologue. Retrieved 19 January 2021.
- ^ Basheer, K P M (14 September 2017). "Market for Malayalam films unfolding in Saudi". The Hindu. Retrieved 17 November 2021.
- ^ "Mapping the World Muslim Population" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 8 November 2009.
- ^ Mapping the World Muslim Population Archived 19 June 2018 at the Wayback Machine(October 2009), Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life. p. 16 (p. 17 of the PDF).
- ^ Data for Saudi Arabia comes primarily from general population surveys, which are less reliable than censuses or large-scale demographic and health surveys for estimating minority-majority ratios.
- ^ "Mapping the Global Muslim Population. Countries with More Than 100,000 Shia Muslims". Pew Forum. 7 October 2009. Retrieved 12 March 2015.
Saudi Arabia ... Approximate Percentage of Muslim Population that is Shia .... 10–15
- ^ al-Qudaihi, Anees (24 March 2009). "Saudi Arabia's Shia press for rights". bbc.
Although they only represent 15% of the overall Saudi population of more than 25 million ...
- ^ Beehner, Lionel (16 June 2006). "Shia Muslims in the Mideast". Council on Foreign Relations. Archived from the original on 11 April 2010. Retrieved 12 March 2015.
Small but potentially powerful Shiite are found throughout the Gulf States ... Saudi Arabia (15 percent)
- ^ Nasr, Shia Revival, (2006) p. 236
- ^ Esposito, John L. (2011). What Everyone Needs to Know about Islam: Second Edition. Oxford University Press, US. p. 54. ISBN 978-0-19-979413-3.
- ^ a b The Daily Star Archived 27 November 2010 at the Wayback Machine| Lamine Chikhi| 27 November 2010.
- ^ "Saudi Arabia: Treat Shia Equally". Human Rights Watch. 3 September 2009. Retrieved 14 September 2016.
- ^ Ibn Ghannam, Hussien (1961). Tarikh najd. Cairo. p. 438.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link) - ^ House, Karen Elliott (2012). On Saudi Arabia : Its People, past, Religion, Fault Lines and Future. Knopf. p. 235.
- ^ Central Intelligence Agency (28 April 2010). "Saudi Arabia". The World Factbook. Retrieved 22 May 2010.
- ^ Cookson, Catharine (2003). Encyclopedia of religious freedom. Taylor & Francis. p. 207. ISBN 978-0-415-94181-5.
- ^ Table: Religious Composition by Country, in Numbers Pew Research Center, Washington D.C. (December 2012)
- ^ WIN-Gallup 2012 Global Index of Religion and atheism Archived 12 August 2012 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Fisher, M. & Dewey, C. (2013) A surprising map of where the world's atheists live. Washington Post, online
- ^ "All atheists are terrorists, Saudi Arabia declares". The Independent. 1 April 2014. Retrieved 30 December 2016.
- ^ "International Religious Freedom Report, 2017" (PDF). U.S. Department of State. Retrieved 26 October 2017.
- ^ a b c d Assegaf, Faisal (27 October 2022). "I am among a few Jews originated from Saudi Arabia still alive". albalad.co. Retrieved 22 July 2024.
- ^ "Saudi Education System". UKEssays.com. Retrieved 28 April 2019.
- ^ "K 12 Education System of Saudi Arabia Classes 1 to 12". www.saudiarabiaeducation.info. Retrieved 21 June 2022.
- ^ "Literacy rate, adult male (% of males ages 15 and above) | Data". data.worldbank.org. Retrieved 23 July 2022.
- ^ "Literacy rate, adult female (% of females ages 15 and above) | Data". data.worldbank.org. Retrieved 23 July 2022.
- ^ "Literacy rate, youth male (% of males ages 15–24) – Saudi Arabia | Data". data.worldbank.org. Retrieved 16 January 2022.
- ^ "Literacy rate, youth female (% of females ages 15–24) – Saudi Arabia | Data". data.worldbank.org. Retrieved 16 January 2022.
- ^ "Shanghai Ranking's Academic Ranking of World Universities". www.shanghairanking.com. Retrieved 20 April 2023.
- ^ "QS Arab Region University Rankings 2022". Top Universities. Retrieved 21 June 2022.
- ^ "King Abdulaziz University Wins Global 'Zero Project Award' for 2024". english.aawsat.com. Retrieved 26 April 2024.
- ^ "2018 tables: Countries/territories". Nature Index. Archived from the original on 19 October 2021. Retrieved 23 August 2018.
- ^ "Saudi Arabia most improved economy for business". Arab News. 28 May 2019. Retrieved 28 May 2019.
- ^ World Intellectual Property Organization (2024). "Global Innovation Index 2024: Unlocking the Promise of Social Entrepreneurship". www.wipo.int. p. 18. doi:10.34667/tind.50062. ISBN 978-92-805-3681-2. Retrieved 6 October 2024.
- ^ "Global Innovation Index 2019". www.wipo.int. Retrieved 2 September 2021.
- ^ "Global Innovation Index". INSEAD Knowledge. 28 October 2013. Archived from the original on 2 September 2021. Retrieved 2 September 2021.
- ^ a b Reforming Saudi Education Slate 7 September. 2009.
- ^ Lake, Eli (25 March 2014). "U.S. Keeps Saudi Arabia's Worst Secret". The Daily Beast.
- ^ "Saudi Arabia's Education Reforms Emphasize Training for Jobs" The Chronicle of Higher Education, 3 October 2010.
- ^ Al-Kinani, Mohammed SR9 billion Tatweer project set to transform education Archived 11 May 2011 at the Wayback Machine. The Saudi Gazette.
- ^ "Saudi Arabia scrubs school textbooks of some offensive text". The Washington Post. 30 January 2021.
- ^ Al-Hanawi, Mohammed Khaled; Khan, Sami A.; Al-Borie, Hussein Mohammed (27 February 2019). "Healthcare human resource development in Saudi Arabia: emerging challenges and opportunities—a critical review". Public Health Reviews. 40 (1): 1. doi:10.1186/s40985-019-0112-4. ISSN 2107-6952. PMC 6391748. PMID 30858991.
- ^ David E. Long (1 January 2005). Culture and Customs of Saudi Arabia. Greenwood Publishing Group. p. 15. ISBN 978-0-313-32021-7.
- ^ "Saudi Arabia's 937 Service Center received 80,007 calls last week". Arab News. 15 October 2018.
- ^ "It's time to tip the scale against Saudi Arabia's obesity problem". Arab News. 1 August 2018.
- ^ Shalhoub, Lulwa (12 June 2017). "New tax doubles the price of cigarettes, energy drinks in Saudi Arabia". Arab News.
- ^ Gillett, Katy (2 January 2019). "Saudi Arabia brings in mandatory calorie labels on menus". The National.
- ^ White, Charles (13 February 2017). "Saudi Arabia to allow women to use gyms to lose weight". Metro.
- ^ "Fitness First confirms launch of ladies-only gyms in KSA". Arab News. 4 March 2017.
- ^ @whoemro (22 May 2019). "#WHA72: Dr Al-Mandhari presented #HealthyCity certificates to Dr Hani Jokhadar @jokhdarh Undersecretary @SaudiMOH to award Unayzah & Riyadh Al Khabra as 4th and 5th healthy cities in The cities were qualified after successful evaluation by @WHO & external experts in March 2019" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ @SaudiMOH (4 October 2020). "سمو أمير منطقة #الباحة يتسلم شهادة #المندق الصحية من معالي وزير الصحة بعد تصنيفها كمدينة صحية لتنضم إلى قائمة المدن الصحية العالمية المعتمدة من منظمة الصحة العالمية. وكانت كل من #الدرعية و #جلاجل و #الجموم و #عنيزة و #رياض_الخبراء قد أعلن عنها سابقًا كمدن صحية" [His Highness, the Emir of Al-Baha region, receives the Al-Mandaq health certificate from His Excellency the Minister of Health after classifying it as a healthy city to join the list of global healthy cities approved by the World Health Organization. Al-Diriyah, Jalajil, Al-Jumum, Onaizah, and Riyadh Al-Khubra were previously declared healthy cities.] (Tweet) (in Arabic) – via Twitter.
- ^ a b "Saudi Arabia receives global anti-smoking award". Arab News. 24 May 2019.
- ^ a b "Life expectancy at birth, total (years) – Saudi Arabia | Data". data.worldbank.org. Retrieved 14 December 2019.
- ^ "Overweight and obesity". World Health Organization. Retrieved 25 August 2018.
- ^ "KSA population is 30.8m; 33% expats". ArabNews.com. 31 January 2015. Retrieved 6 November 2015.
- ^ جريدة الرياض. "جريدة الرياض : سكان المملكة 27 مليوناً بينهم 8 ملايين مقيم". Alriyadh.com.
- ^ "Number of Pakistani expats exceeds 1.5 m". Arabnews.com. 29 August 2012.
- ^ "Arab versus Asian migrant workers in the GCC countries" (PDF). p. 10.
- ^ Chamberlain, Gethin (13 January 2013). "Saudi Arabia's treatment of foreign workers under fire after beheading of Sri Lankan maid". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 12 June 2018. Retrieved 14 January 2013.
- ^ Human Rights Watch (14 July 2004). "'Bad Dreams:' Exploitation and Abuse of Migrant Workers in Saudi Arabia". United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. Archived from the original on 12 March 2020. Retrieved 14 January 2013.
- ^ P.K. Abdul Ghafour (21 October 2011). "3 million expats to be sent out gradually". Archived from the original on 8 November 2011. Retrieved 7 December 2016.
Nearly three million expatriate workers will have to leave the Kingdom in the next few years as the Labour Ministry has put a 20% ceiling on the country's guest workers
- ^ "Yemen's point of no return". The Guardian. 1 April 2009.
- ^ al-Kibsi, Mohammed (12 January 2008). "Saudi authorities erect barriers on Yemeni border". Yemen Observer.
- ^ "Saudi Arabia: Amnesty International calls for end to arrests and expulsions "Persecution of Ahmadiyya Muslim Community". Persecutionofahmadis.org.
- ^ "'Dogs Are Better Than You': Saudi Arabia Accused of Mass Abuses During Migrant Worker Crackdown". Vice News. 11 May 2015.
- ^ Brown, Will; Zelalem, Zecharias (30 August 2020). "Investigation: African migrants 'left to die' in Saudi Arabia's hellish Covid detention centres". The Telegraph. Archived from the original on 10 January 2022. Retrieved 30 August 2020.
- ^ "Saudi Arabia Charges Foreigners $213,000 for Permanent Residency". Bloomberg. 23 June 2019.
- ^ Doumato, Eleanor (2005). "Saudi Arabia". In Nazir, Sameena; Tomppert, Leigh (eds.). Women's Rights in the Middle East and North Africa: Citizenship and Justice. Rowman & Littlefield. p. 259. ISBN 978-0-7425-4992-0.
- ^ "تفاصيل النظام". laws.boe.gov.sa. Retrieved 6 June 2021.
- ^ 2004 law passed by Saudi Arabia's Council of Ministers. "Expatriates Can Apply for Saudi Citizenship in Two-to-Three Months". Arabnews.com. 14 February 2005.
- ^ "Saudi Arabia says criticism of Syria refugee response 'false and misleading'". The Guardian. 12 September 2015.
- ^ "Culture, Traditions and Art". Saudi Arabian Cultural Mission | SACM. Retrieved 24 April 2019.
- ^ Rodrigo Basco, Andrea Calabrò, Albert E. James, Jeremy Cheng, Luis Díaz Matajira, Nupur Pavan Bang, Georges Samara, ed. (13 May 2022). Family Business Case Studies Across the World. Edward Elgar Publishing. ISBN 9781800884250.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: editors list (link) - ^ Jambi, Rahaf (3 October 2023). "Maintaining family traditions and ties plays an important role in Riyadh social life". Arab News. Riyadh. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
- ^ Dadouch, Sarah (3 August 2021). "Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed seeks to reduce influential clerics' power". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on 3 August 2021.
- ^ a b Arabia: the Cradle of Islam, 1900, S.M.Zwemmer
- ^ Quran 2:7-286
- ^ Quran 3:96
- ^ Quran 22:25-37
- ^ Esposito, John (1998). Islam: The Straight Path (3rd ed.). Oxford University Press. pp. 9, 12. ISBN 978-0-19-511234-4.
- ^ Esposito (2002b), pp. 4–5.
- ^ Peters, F.E. (2003). Islam: A Guide for Jews and Christians. Princeton University Press. p. 9. ISBN 978-0-691-11553-5.
- ^ Alli, Irfan (26 February 2013). 25 Prophets of Islam. eBookIt.com. ISBN 978-1-4566-1307-5.
- ^ Michigan Consortium for Medieval and Early Modern Studies (1986). Goss, V.P.; Bornstein, C.V. (eds.). The Meeting of Two Worlds: Cultural Exchange Between East and West During the Period of the Crusades. Vol. 21. Medieval Institute Publications, Western Michigan University. p. 208. ISBN 978-0-918720-58-0.
- ^ Mustafa Abu Sway. "The Holy Land, Jerusalem and Al-Aqsa Mosque in the Qur'an, Sunnah and other Islamic Literary Source" (PDF). Central Conference of American Rabbis. Archived from the original (PDF) on 28 July 2011.
- ^ Dyrness, W.A. (2013). Senses of Devotion: Interfaith Aesthetics in Buddhist and Muslim Communities. Vol. 7. Wipf and Stock Publishers. p. 25. ISBN 978-1-62032-136-2.
- ^ "Saudi Arabia". U.S. Department of State. Retrieved 3 November 2021.
- ^ "International Religious Freedom Report 2004". US Department of State. Retrieved 22 September 2012.
- ^ 'The Islamic Traditions of Wahhabism and Salafiyya', US Congressional Research Service Report, 2008, by Christopher M. Blanchard available from the Federation of American Scientists website
- ^ "You Can't Understand ISIS If You Don't Know the History of Wahhabism in Saudi Arabia". HuffPost. 27 August 2014.
- ^ syedjaffar. "The Persecution of Shia Muslims in Saudi Arabia". 4 August 2013. CNN Report. Archived from the original on 23 January 2015. Retrieved 1 May 2014.
- ^ "Iraq crisis: How Saudi Arabia helped Isis take over the north of the country," The Independent, 13 July 2014.
- ^ "Changing times for Saudi's once feared morality police". France 24. 14 January 2022. Retrieved 17 July 2022.
- ^ WikiLeaks cables: Saudi princes throw parties boasting drink, drugs and sex. The Guardian (7 December 2010). Retrieved on 9 May 2012. "Royals flout puritanical laws to throw parties for young elite while religious police are forced to turn a blind eye."
- ^ a b "2010 Human Rights Report: Saudi Arabia". U.S. State Department. 8 April 2011. Archived from the original on 12 April 2011. Retrieved 11 July 2011.
- ^ a b Chulob, Martin (3 August 2019). "'We feel empowered': Saudi women relish their new freedoms". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 3 August 2019.
- ^ "Saudi Arabia to allow adult women to travel, register divorce". The Nation. 2 August 2019. Retrieved 3 August 2019.
- ^ "World Report 2013 – Saudi Arabia". Human Rights Watch. 9 January 2013. Archived from the original on 9 January 2014. Retrieved 22 February 2014.
- ^ Dankowitz, Aluma (28 December 2006). "Saudi Writer and Journalist Wajeha Al-Huwaider Fights for Women's Rights". MEMRI.
- ^ Dewey, Caitlin (1 May 2013). "Saudi Arabia launches powerful ad campaign against domestic violence". Washington Post. Retrieved 8 August 2022.
- ^ World Bank (2020). World Bank's Women, Business and the Law 2020 report (PDF). Washington, DC: World Bank Publications. p. 11. doi:10.1596/978-1-4648-1532-4. hdl:10400.14/39334. ISBN 978-1-4648-1533-1. LCCN 2020901241. S2CID 214418106.
- ^ Ellen Wulfhorst (14 January 2020). "Saudi Arabia leads in women's legal gains at work, World Bank says". Reuters. Retrieved 16 January 2020.
- ^ Nadworny, Katie (18 October 2019). "Saudi Arabia's Legal Reforms Help Women in the Workforce". Society for Human Resources Management. Archived from the original on 14 August 2023. Retrieved 8 August 2022.
- ^ "'I am so happy': Activist reacts to end of ban on female drivers in Saudi Arabia". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. 26 September 2017. Retrieved 16 December 2021.
- ^ Long, p. 66
- ^ Otto, p. 164
- ^ Otto, p. 163
- ^ "Saudi Arabia Reforms Marriage Laws To Empower Women". About Her. 9 March 2022. Retrieved 8 August 2022.
- ^ a b Otto, p. 165
- ^ 'The destruction of Mecca: Saudi hardliners are wiping out their own heritage', The Independent, 6 August 2005. Retrieved 17 January 2011
- ^ 'Islamic heritage lost as Makkah modernises' Center for Islamic Pluralism
- ^ 'Shame of the House of Saud: Shadows over Mecca', The Independent, 19 April 2006
- ^ Destruction of Islamic Architectural Heritage in Saudi Arabia: A Wake-up Call, The American Muslim. Retrieved 17 January 2011 Other historic buildings that have been destroyed include the house of Khadijah, the wife of Muhammad, the house of Abu Bakr, now the site of the local Hilton hotel; the house of Ali-Oraid, the grandson of Muhammad, and the Mosque of Abu-Qubais, now the location of the King's palace in Mecca. (source: 'Shame of the House of Saud: Shadows over Mecca', The Independent, 19 April 2006)
- ^ "Al-Hijr Archaeological Site (Madâin Sâlih)". UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Retrieved 24 April 2019.
- ^ "At-Turaif District in ad-Dir'iyah". UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Retrieved 24 April 2019.
- ^ "Historic Jeddah, the Gate to Makkah". UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Retrieved 24 April 2019.
- ^ "Al-Ahsa Oasis, an Evolving Cultural Landscape". UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Retrieved 24 April 2019.
- ^ "Rock Art in the Hail Region of Saudi Arabia". UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Retrieved 24 April 2019.
- ^ "Ḥimā Cultural Area". UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Retrieved 12 August 2021.
- ^ "'Uruq Bani Ma'arid". UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Retrieved 12 March 2024.
- ^ KSA Properties inscribed on the World Heritage List (4), Unesco, 2017
- ^ "UNESCO – Saudi Arabia". ich.unesco.org. Archived from the original on 20 May 2021. Retrieved 24 April 2019.
- ^ Saudi Arabia to Spend $1Bn On Cultural Heritage Archived 3 September 2017 at the Wayback Machine, KSA Mission EU, 30 June 2016
- ^ Destruction du patrimoine : une résolution historique du Conseil de Sécurité, Sciences et Avenir, 28 March 2017
- ^ Chulov, Marin (24 October 2017). "I will return Saudi Arabia to moderate Islam, says crown prince". The Guardian. Retrieved 24 September 2018.
- ^ Al Wasmi, Naser (20 June 2018). "Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's dynamic year of reform". The National. Retrieved 24 September 2018.
- ^ "Catholic cardinal meets Saudi King in historic visit to Riyadh". Reuters. Archived from the original on 27 May 2018. Retrieved 24 September 2018.
- ^ "Saudi Arabia commits US$25 million to UNESCO for the protection of heritage". UNESCO. 12 July 2019. Retrieved 18 July 2019.
- ^ "Archaeology breakthrough! 4,000-year-old fort city found hidden in Saudi oasis". The Independent. 5 November 2024. Retrieved 5 November 2024.
- ^ "Traditional dress of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia". 29 September 2015. Archived from the original on 18 October 2015.
- ^ World Focus. 5 January 2009
- ^ "Babylon & Beyond". Los Angeles Times. 23 December 2008.
- ^ "Folk Music & Dance". saudiembassy.net. The Embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Washington, DC. Retrieved 28 September 2023.
- ^ Mostyn, Trevor (24 August 2010). "Ghazi al-Gosaibi obituary". The Guardian. London.
- ^ "Triumphant Trilogy", by Malu Halasa, Time, 17 January 2005
- ^ "Sex and the Saudi Girl". The Times. 8 July 2007
- ^ "Saudi Arabia allows concerts—even country music". The Economist. 1 June 2017. Retrieved 24 September 2018.
- ^ "Mohammed Abdu to perform live in Riyadh". Arab News. 2 September 2016. Retrieved 24 September 2018.
- ^ Mazzetti, Mark; Hubbard, Ben (15 October 2016). "Rise of Saudi Prince Shatters Decades of Royal Tradition". The New York Times. Retrieved 24 September 2018.
- ^ Reid, David (11 December 2011). "Saudi Arabia to reopen public cinemas for the first time in 35 years". CNBC. Retrieved 24 September 2018.
- ^ Nick, Vivarelli (9 April 2018). "Saudi Arabia to Debut at Cannes With Its First National Pavilion". Variety. Retrieved 24 September 2018.
- ^ The Report: Saudi Arabia 2008. Oxford Business Group. 2008. p. 173. ISBN 978-1-902339-00-9.
- ^ "Index | RSF". rsf.org. Retrieved 8 June 2022.
- ^ a b Aarti Nagraj (26 March 2013). "Revealed: 10 Oldest Newspapers In The GCC". Gulf Business. Archived from the original on 11 October 2014. Retrieved 14 January 2014.
- ^ "How Arab News, Saudi Arabia's first English-language newspaper, was born". Arab News. Retrieved 8 June 2022.
- ^ "Arab Media Influence Report". AMIR. Archived from the original on 12 September 2014. Retrieved 12 September 2014.
- ^ "Individuals using the Internet (% of population) – Saudi Arabia | Data". data.worldbank.org. Retrieved 8 June 2022.
- ^ "Saudi 5G Is Fast, and New Spectrum Allocations Should Make it Faster". Ookla – Providing network intelligence to enable modern connectivity. 19 April 2021. Retrieved 8 June 2022.
- ^ "This country has the world's fastest 5G download speed". Zee News. 20 October 2020. Retrieved 8 June 2022.
- ^ "The eCommerce market in Saudi Arabia". ecommerceDB. 8 June 2022. Retrieved 8 June 2022.
- ^ "Saudi Arabian Slam Dunk, Fall 1997, Winter 1998, Volume 14, Number 4, Saudi Arabia". Saudiembassy.net. Archived from the original on 28 October 2011.
- ^ Al, Joud. "Saudi women show greater interest in sports and games". Arab News. Archived from the original on 20 January 2012.
- ^ Krastev, Todor (21 September 2011). "Men Basketball Asia Championship 1999 Fukuoka (JPN)- 28.08–05.09 Winner China". Todor66.com. Archived from the original on 18 January 2012.
- ^ "Saudi women push for right to play sports – Sport". Arabian Business. ArabianBusiness.com. 1 March 2012.
- ^ "Saudi Arabia opens first sports centre for women". GulfNews.com. 3 June 2013. Retrieved 28 June 2013.
- ^ "Saudi government sanctions sports in some girls' schools". CNN. 5 May 2013.
- ^ "Saudi Arabia: No women on Asian Games Team". Human Rights Watch. 18 September 2014.
- ^ Grinberg and Hallam, Emanuella and Jonny (30 October 2017). "Saudi Arabia to let women into sports stadiums". CNN/2017/10/29/middleeast/saudi-arabia-women-sports-arenas/index.html. CNN. Retrieved 11 December 2017.
- ^ "Empowered through sports, Saudi females take the sector by storm". Al Arabiya English. 5 December 2021. Retrieved 30 October 2022.
- ^ "Saudi women's sport grows by leaps and bounds". Arab News. 8 March 2021. Retrieved 30 October 2022.
- ^ "Female athletes change the game in Saudi". www.visitsaudi.com. Retrieved 30 October 2022.
- ^ "Saudi Arabia stages first-ever nationwide women's league". www.fifa.com. Retrieved 30 October 2022.
- ^ "Sportswashing: how Saudi Arabia lobbies the US's largest sports bodies". The Guardian. 2 September 2019. Retrieved 2 September 2019.
Bibliography
- Abir, Mordechai (1987). Saudi Arabia in the oil era: regime and elites : conflict and collaboration. Croom Helm. ISBN 978-0-7099-5129-2.
- Abir, Mordechai (1993). Saudi Arabia: Government, Society, and the Persian Gulf Crisis. Routledge. ISBN 978-0-415-09325-5.
- Mordechai, Abir (2019). Saudi Arabia In The Oil Era: Regime And Elites; Conflict And Collaboration. Taylor & Francis. ISBN 978-1-00-031069-6.
- Al-Rasheed, Madawi (2010). A History of Saudi Arabia. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 978-0-521-74754-7.
- Bowen, Wayne H. (2007). The History of Saudi Arabia. Greenwood Press. ISBN 978-0-313-34012-3.
- Hegghammer, Thomas (2010). Jihad in Saudi Arabia: Violence and Pan-Islamism Since 1979. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 978-0-521-73236-9.
- House, Karen Elliott (2012). On Saudi Arabia: Its People, Past, Religion, Fault Lines—and Future. Alfred A. Knopf. ISBN 978-0-307-27216-4.
- Long, David E. (2005). Culture and Customs of Saudi Arabia. Bloomsbury Academic. ISBN 978-0-313-32021-7.
- Malbouisson, Cofie D. (2007). Focus on Islamic issues. Nova Publishers. ISBN 978-1-60021-204-8.
- Otto, Jan Michiel (2010). Sharia Incorporated: A Comparative Overview of the Legal Systems of Twelve Muslim Countries in Past and Present. ISBN 978-90-8728-057-4.
- Tausch, Arno; Heshmati, Almas; Karoui, Hichem (2015). The political algebra of global value change. General models and implications for the Muslim world (1st ed.). New York: Nova Science. ISBN 978-1-62948-899-8. Available at: [1]
- Tausch, Arno (2021). The Future of the Gulf Region: Value Change and Global Cycles. Gulf Studies, Volume 2, edited by Prof. Mizanur Rahman, Qatar University (1st ed.). Cham, Switzerland: Springer. ISBN 978-3-030-78298-6., especially Chapter 8: Saudi Arabia—Religion, Gender, and the Desire for Democracy. In: The Future of the Gulf Region. Gulf Studies, vol 2. Springer, Cham. The Future of the Gulf Region: Value Change and Global Cycles
- Tripp, Harvey; North, Peter (2009). CultureShock! A Survival Guide to Customs and Etiquette. Saudi Arabia (3rd ed.). Marshall Cavendish.
- Tripp, Harvey; North, Peter (2003). Culture Shock, Saudi Arabia. A Guide to Customs and Etiquette. Singapore; Portland, Oregon: Times Media Private Limited.
External links
Definitions from Wiktionary
Media from Commons
News from Wikinews
Quotations from Wikiquote
Texts from Wikisource
Textbooks from Wikibooks
Resources from Wikiversity
Travel information from Wikivoyage
Data from Wikidata
- Saudi Arabia. Archived 30 September 2021 at the Wayback Machine official government website.
- Saudi Arabia. The World Factbook. Central Intelligence Agency.
- Saudi Arabia profile from the BBC News
Wikimedia Atlas of Saudi Arabia- Saudi Arabia web resources provided by GovPubs at the University of Colorado Boulder Libraries
- Key Development Forecasts for Saudi Arabia from International Futures
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
.svg)
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Geographic | |
| People | |
| Other | |
- Saudi Arabia
- Arabian Peninsula
- Countries and territories where Arabic is an official language
- G20 members
- Kingdoms
- Member states of OPEC
- Member states of the Arab League
- Member states of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation
- Member states of the United Nations
- West Asian countries
- States and territories established in 1932
- 1932 establishments in Saudi Arabia
- Countries in Asia
- Member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council
- Islamic monarchies