Saudi Arabia is by far the most populous Muslim country in the world.According to recent estimates, over 90% of the population is Muslim and a majority of the population adheres to the Wahhabi school of thought, although there is significant religious diversity.This is especially true in the major cities, where a vast array of different sects, schools of thought, and Islamic orders are present.The Saudi state’s role as a leader and center of Islam is particularly important to global Muslims, as it is the birthplace of the Prophet Muhammad and the home of two of the holiest sites in Islam-the Haram al-Sharif in Mecca and the Haram al-Nabi in Medina.
Saudi Arabia is often identified as a Muslim country because of its government’s history of benevolent policies toward Islam and its emphasis on devout religious practices.The country’s laws and public policies have long been closely regulated in accordance with Sharia (Islamic law).The Saudi government strictly enforces adhering to the practices of Wahhabism, including gender segregation, stricter dress standards for women, and the requirements for public worship and prayers regularly in mosques on a weekly basis.Nevertheless, Saudi Arabia is considered to be one of the most religiously restrictive of the Middle Eastern countries.
The Saudi regime’s emphasis on religion and links with religious scholars are an important feature of society and government in the kingdom.The Saudi state and its societal institutions are linked to Wahhabism, the strictest interpretation of Sunni Islam.The country is known for its influential international funding of mosques and Islamic schools, which propagate Wahhabi teachings. These teachings emphasize literal interpretations of scripture and strict adherence to the rulings and beliefs of the sect’s founders.
Despite its status as a predominantly Muslim country, Saudi Arabia has an extremely diverse population. Non-Muslim religions are present in the country, including Christianity, Hinduism, and Sikhism. While the majority of the population may be Muslim, some are also non-religious. In addition, atheism is not uncommon in Saudi Arabia. In 2012, a former Saudi diplomat revealed in a Washington Post op-ed that there are an estimated 9 million atheists in the country, making up over 15% of the population.
There are a few other religious minorities in Saudi Arabia, including indigenous religious groups such as the Ibadi Muslims and the reformist Ahmadiyya Muslim Community.The Saudi government has historically been hostile to religious minorities and has been heavily criticized by international organizations for its failure to uphold the rights of religious minorities and for its failure to protect freedom of religion and belief.
Religious Discrimination in Saudi Arabia
The Saudi government has been accused of numerous violations of religious freedom and discrimination against religious minorities. while the government officially guarantees freedom of religion and freedom of belief, only Muslims are permitted to publicly practice their faith and to build places of worship. Non-Muslims generally practice their faith privately in the home.
Muslims in Saudi Arabia often face extreme discrimination and persecution on the basis of their religious beliefs. The government has reportedly harassed and detained individuals accused of apostasy or blasphemy against Islam.The government has also been criticized for its systematic discrimination against the Shia Muslim minority, in particular for its refusal to grant the Shia freedom of religion or to recognize or build Shi’a mosques.
The Saudi government also discriminates against certain forms of Islamic worship and practice, such as Sufism and the Ibadi faith. Sufi establishments, such as shrines, have traditionally been targeted by the Saudi government for destruction or closure.The government has also taken concerted action against the Ibadi faith, including complaints against adherents who gathered for prayer or visited local shrines.
Conversion From Islam
Under Saudi law, conversion from Islam to any other religion is strictly prohibited.Converts can be charged with apostasy, which is punishable by death. However, the death sentence has never been carried out in the case of conversion.
The Saudi government has demonstrated a willingness to repress any public expression of non-Islamic faiths or beliefs. The government has reportedly arrested individuals for expressing non-Muslim religious views online and has blocked websites that contain religious content. The government has also been accused of monitoring religious activities and surveillance of religious practices of foreign workers.
In addition, the Saudi government has been accused of using the legal system to enforce cultural norms associated with religion, including the ban on women drivers. Violations of these norms are reportedly treated as criminal offences and penalties can include corporal punishment. Moreover, the Saudi government has a history of jailing and imprisoning human rights activists for defending religious freedom.
Impact of Wahhabism in Saudi Arabia
The impact of the Wahhabi interpretation of Islam has been expansive, permeating government institutions, public discourse, and many aspects of society.The Saudi state has sought to use its influence in the Islamic world to promote its interpretation of the religion, often through charitable donations to mosques and Islamic schools abroad.The government has also sought to spread Wahhabi teachings by printing educational materials and books, sending promoters of the creed to preach abroad, and regularly hosting high-profile religious dignitaries.
The Saudi government has used its state-backed religious establishment to promote social norms and beliefs consistent with Wahhabism.This includes the promotion of gender segregation, restrictions on dress, and other forms of traditional Islamic observance.The government regularly interferes in religious affairs, including the regulation of Islamic education and preachers, as well as the regulation of religious edicts issued by Wahhabi scholars.
In addition, the Saudi government has sought to control the discourse surrounding religion, censoring any discussion or debate that contradicts Wahhabi teachings. This includes censorship of books as well as online content and the suppression of any speakers or activists who are perceived as challenging the Wahhabi interpretation of Islam.
Religious Minorities and Tolerance in Saudi Arabia
The Saudi government has been accused of perpetuating systematic discrimination against the Shia population and other religious minorities.This includes unequal access to government services and unequal representation in prominent state institutions.Moreover, the Saudi government has been criticized for its refusal to recognize the rights of non-Muslims to practice their faith and for its restriction of the public activities of non-Muslim groups and individuals.
However, there have been some signs that religious tolerance is gradually increasing in Saudi Arabia.In recent years, the government has begun to loosen restrictions on non-Muslims and has granted more freedom to religious minorities.In particular, the government has taken steps to protect sacred sites associated with other religions and has granted permission for non-Muslim places of worship to be built and maintained.
In addition, the government has allowed the celebration of religious festivals associated with other faiths, including the Easter holiday.The government has also taken measures to protect religious minorities from hate crimes and to promote rights of freedom of speech and association.
Religious Freedom in the Future for Saudi Arabia
While there have been some signs of progress toward religious tolerance in Saudi Arabia, there are still significant restrictions on religious freedom and some reports suggest that religious tolerance is far from universal in the kingdom.In particular, the religious minorities, including the Shia Muslims, are still subjected to systematic discrimination and persecution.
There is also little sign that the government is willing to grant freedom of speech and association to religious minorities or to allow them to practice their faith publicly.In addition, the government has not taken any action to end the death penalty for apostasy or blasphemy, and the government’s commitment to religious tolerance is often seen as merely rhetoric.The government has also been unwilling to grant freedom of speech and association to non-Muslim religious groups.
As such, while there have been some positive developments in the Saudi government’s attitude toward religious freedom, and some limited gains for religious minorities, further progress is needed if religious freedom is to be truly protected and respected in the future in Saudi Arabia.
