Saudi Arabia is one of the most vibrant and dynamic countries in the Middle East. Often associated with oil, the large nation has a rich cultural and historical past, which is reflected in its identity and society. So, the question that has been asked more and more in recent years is: Is Saudi Arabia Middle Eastern?
It is widely agreed by both historians and political scientists that Saudi Arabia is a Middle Eastern nation. It is geographically located in the Middle East, on the Arabian peninsula, and is politically and socially aligned with the rest of the nations in the region. Moreover, Saudi Arabia has had strong ties with the Middle East since it was established in 1932, and its culture is one that is strongly linked to that of other Middle Eastern states.
The biggest indication of Saudi Arabia being a Middle Eastern nation is its strong ties to other Middle Eastern countries. It maintains close relationships with the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Jordan, Palestine, Kuwait, Oman, and Egypt. The country also is a member of the Arab League, an organization whose mission is to promote cooperation between Arab countries. Thus, the evidence supporting Saudi Arabia’s status as a member of the Middle East is clear and undeniable.
It is also interesting to note that many of the economic, social, and political elements that are closely associated with the Middle East also hold true for Saudi Arabia. It is the largest economy in the Middle East and is a major exporter of oil. In addition, the country has strong ties to Islamic culture, with most of its citizens practicing some form of the religion. It is also the birthplace of Islam, and the home of two of Islam’s holiest sites: Mecca and Medina. Thus, a review of these facts clearly show that Saudi Arabia is a part of the Middle Eastern region.
Yet, there are some who argue that Saudi Arabia is not an exclusively Middle Eastern nation. They point out that it is too westernized to fit in the Middle East and is often misunderstood due to its complicated history. This is because the country has a complex relationship with the West, which often leads to misunderstandings and a disconnect between the two sides. It is also argued that the country is not completely representative of Middle Eastern culture due to its strong ties with the West, as well as its own divergence from traditional values.
It is clear that Saudi Arabia is geographically, socially, economically, and politically tied to the Middle East, making it undeniably a Middle Eastern nation. Despite this fact, there will always be those who will argue that the nation is too westernized to truly fit in the region. However, the evidence is still clear and indisputable that Saudi Arabia is a Middle Eastern region.
Arab influence
The influence of the Arab people in the region is one of the most defining characteristics of the Middle East. All of the Middle Eastern states have some form of Arab culture, with Saudi Arabia being the most Arab out of all of them. This is evident in everything from food to language—Arabic is the official language in the country—to traditional social values. Thus, the presence of the Arab people in Saudi Arabia makes it an integral part of the Middle Eastern region.
It is also important to note that the Saudi government has long been considered an advocate of Arab nationalism. The ruling monarchy has used its influence to promote Arab unity and build bridges between different Arab countries. This has led to increased collaboration between different nations in the region, such as in the form of financial investment and trade deals. Thus, Saudi Arabia’s commitment to Arab unity is an important factor in establishing the nation as a part of the Middle East.
On top of this, Saudi Arabia has a long-standing involvement in international affairs, especially in the Middle East. The country has been involved in a number of military conflicts in the region, and has consistently sought to ensure stability and peace in the region. It is also notable that Saudi Arabia has often sided with other Middle Eastern countries in disputes between them and nations outside the region, such as the ongoing tension between the US and Iran. Therefore, the key role Saudi Arabia plays in Middle Eastern affairs further proves that it is a part of the region.
Religion
The role of religion is another important factor in establishing Saudi Arabia’s place in the Middle East. The country is majority Sunni Muslim, and Islam is the state religion. This is an important distinguishing feature, as the majority of Middle Eastern nations are majority Muslim. The shared faith serves as an important unifying force for the peoples of the Middle East, with Saudi Arabia leading the way in promoting and supporting Islamic values.
The country has also invested heavily in supporting Islamic causes around the world. For instance, it has provided funds to build mosques, sponsored Islamic scholars to visit other countries, and is home to two of Islam’s holiest sites. Furthermore, Saudi Arabia has sought to make sure that Islamic values are respected around the world, which is why it is seen by some as a standard-bearer for the Islamic faith.
Thus, Saudi Arabia being majority Sunni Muslim and backing Islamic-focused initiatives adds to its credentials as a Middle Eastern country. It also helps to bring the Middle Eastern nations together, by spreading the shared cultural and religious values that bind them. Therefore, religion is an important factor in establishing Saudi Arabia’s status as a Middle Eastern nation.
Political ties
The close political ties between Saudi Arabia and other Middle Eastern countries is another factor in establishing it as a Middle Eastern nation. The country has close ties to its neighbors, which is exhibited through the open borders between them and the economic links they share. This is due to the numerous agreements and treaties that the country has signed with other Middle Eastern nations, which are designed to promote collaboration and collaboration.
On top of this, Saudi Arabia is also a member of a number of international organizations in the Middle East which focus on issues of regional security, economic development, and political collaboration. This shows that Saudi Arabia takes its role in the region seriously and has a vested interest in ensuring that the Middle Eastern states remain connected and that regional issues are addressed effectively. Thus, the political ties the country has with other Middle Eastern countries is an indication that it is, in fact, a Middle Eastern nation.
Conclusion
To conclude, although there are some who claim that Saudi Arabia is too westernized to fit in the Middle East, this is not the case. The evidence is clear that Saudi Arabia is an integral part of the region, both geographically, socially, culturally and economically. It is the birthplace of Islam, is tied to other Middle Eastern nations, and has a vested interest in promoting regional cooperation. As such, it can be firmly established that Saudi Arabia is, in fact, a Middle Eastern nation.
