However, with King Abdullah's reforms from 2005, some cinemas have re-opened,[528] including one in KAUST. [175] In addition, they have had a major role in the judicial and education systems[176] and a monopoly of authority in the sphere of religious and social morals. [511] 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). [612], 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. [97] A much smaller second "Saudi state", located mainly in Nejd, was established in 1824. A stadium in Riyadh holds races in the winter. [569], On 25 September 2011, King Abdullah announced that Saudi women would gain the right to vote (and to be candidates) in municipal elections, provided that a male guardian grants permission. [421], The ethnic composition of Saudi citizens is 90% Arab and 10% Afro-Asian. The creation of the Consultative Council in the early 1990s did not satisfy demands for political participation, and, in 2003, an annual National Dialogue Forum was announced that would allow selected professionals and intellectuals to publicly debate current national issues, within certain prescribed parameters. Saudi Arabia officially has about 260 billion barrels (4.1×1010 m3) of oil reserves, comprising about one-fifth of the world's proven total petroleum reserves. [104] A year later, he added the title of King of Nejd. The ban includes penalties of a 12-month jail sentence and fines of up to 50,000 riyals ($13,000). Clash Over Khashoggi Case", "Top U.S. [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. In 1972, Saudi Arabia gained a 20 percent control in Aramco, thereby decreasing US control over Saudi oil. [80][81] The Uyunid Emirate later underwent expansion with its territory stretching from Najd to the Syrian desert. Saudi Arabian dress strictly follows the principles of hijab (the Islamic principle of modesty, especially in dress). [244] 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. [202][203][204] The 345 reported executions between 2007 and 2010 were all carried out by public beheading. The area of modern-day Saudi Arabia formerly consisted of mainly four distinct historical regions: Hejaz, Najd and parts of Eastern Arabia (Al-Ahsa) and Southern Arabia ('Asir). [561] Female literacy is estimated to be 81%, lower than male literacy. Every time an Arabian moves in its famous "floating trot," he announces to the world his proud, graceful nature. [60], 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 labourious temple complex and thousands of burial mounds that dates to this period were discovered. Many people, when they start looking for a horse to buy, get drawn into cheap horse listings which turn out to be a scam or fraud. [502] Non-Muslim festivals like Christmas and Easter are not tolerated at all,[503] although there are nearly a million Christians as well as Hindus and Buddhists among the foreign workers. 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. [607] This radical teaching takes place in Saudi funded mosques and madrasas across the Islamic world from Morocco to Pakistan to Indonesia. Saudi Arabia is divided into 13 regions[365] (Arabic: مناطق إدارية; manatiq idāriyya, sing. [323] Germany became the first Western government to suspend future arms deal with the kingdom after Angela Merkel stated that "arms exports can't take place in the current circumstances. Camel Classification and Evolution. [citation needed], In November 2017, hunting scenes showing images of most likely domesticated dogs, resembling the Canaan dog, wearing leashes were discovered in Shuwaymis, a hilly region of northwestern Saudi Arabia. and livestock, and large number of temporary jobs created by the roughly two million annual hajj pilgrims.[385]. [257] The tentative rapprochement between the US and Iran that began in secret in 2011[258] was said to be feared by the Saudis,[259] and, during the run up to the widely welcomed deal on Iran's nuclear programme that capped the first stage of US–Iranian détente, Robert Jordan, who was US ambassador to Riyadh from 2001 to 2003, said "[t]he Saudis' worst nightmare would be the [Obama] administration striking a grand bargain with Iran. As of October 2018, the Saudi economy was the largest in the Middle East and the 18th largest in the world. ( The Saudi National Day 23, Sep )", "Dozens detained in Saudi over flood protests", "Saudis mobilise thousands of troops to quell growing revolt", "Saudi ruler offers $36bn to stave off uprising amid warning oil price could double", "Saudi king gives billion-dollar cash boost to housing, jobs – Politics & Economics", "King Abdullah Returns to Kingdom, Enacts Measures to Boost the Economy", "Saudi Arabia's king announces huge jobs and housing package", "Saudi King to Spend $67 Billion on Housing, Jobs in Bid to Pacify Citizens", "Saudi Arabia announces municipal elections", "Saudi Women Inspired by Fall of Mubarak Step Up Equality Demand", "Saudis vote in municipal elections, results on Sunday", "Internet Censorship in Arab Countries: Religious and Moral Aspects", "The world's enduring dictators: Abdullah bin Abdul-Aziz, Saudi Arabia", "To really combat terror, end support for Saudi Arabia", "Saudi Arabia recalls its ambassador to Sweden", "Encyclopædia Britannica Online: Saudi Arabia", "Divided We Survive: A Landscape of Fragmentation in Saudi Arabia", "The House of Saud: rulers of modern Saudi Arabia", "Saudi King Abdullah to go to US for medical treatment", "Prince Salman resumes duties at governorate", "Mohammed bin Nayef kingpin in new Saudi Arabia: country experts", "Prince Sultan bin Abdel Aziz of Saudi Arabia Dies", "Obituary: Prince Nayef bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud", "The corrupt, feudal world of the House of Saud", "A Nation Challenged: The Plots; Saudi Arabia Also a Target Of Attacks, U.S. Officials Say", "Saudi bribe claims delay £20bn fighter deal", "BAE accused of secretly paying £1bn to Saudi prince", "BAE Systems sued over alleged Saudi bribes", "Prince Bandar denies BAE bribery claims", "Lord Goldsmith defends BAE Systems plea deal", "Saudi Arabia Arrests 11 Princes, Including Billionaire Alwaleed bin Talal", "Reform in Saudi Arabia: At a snail's pace", "The Power of Saudi Arabia's Islamic Leaders", "International: Law of God versus law of man; Saudi Arabia", "Saudi Arabian justice: Cruel, or just unusual? [504][503] No churches, temples or other non-Muslim houses of worship are permitted in the country. [120] In February–April 2005, the first-ever nationwide municipal elections were held in Saudi Arabia. The Arabian or Arab horse (Arabic: الحصان العربي [ ħisˤaːn ʕarabiː], DMG ḥiṣān ʿarabī) is a breed of horse that originated on the Arabian Peninsula.With a distinctive head shape and high tail carriage, the Arabian is one of the most easily recognizable horse breeds in the world. [409], Consuming non-renewable groundwater resulted in the loss of an estimated four fifths of the total groundwater reserves by 2012. The governorates are further subdivided into sub-governorates (Arabic: مراكز; marakiz, sing. The country exports wheat, dates, dairy products, eggs, fish, poultry, fruits, vegetables and flowers to markets around the world. In return, the Al ash-Sheikh support the Al Saud's political authority[185] thereby using its religious-moral authority to legitimize the royal family's rule. [216], 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 to not jeopardise the Western economies. He said that Saudi has been funding an ideology that leads to extremism and the leaders of the kingdom are not aware of the consequences.[306]. [503] Atheists are legally designated as terrorists. Animals such as gazelles, oryx, leopards and cheetahs[362] were relatively numerous until the 19th century, when extensive hunting reduced these animals almost to extinction. [222] Counting only the non-Muslim-majority countries, Saudi Arabia has paid for the construction of 1359 mosques, 210 Islamic centres, 202 colleges and 2000 schools. [261], In order to protect the house of Khalifa, the monarchs of Bahrain, Saudi Arabia invaded Bahrain by sending military troops to quell the uprising of Bahraini people on 14 March 2011. [121] Police stopped the demonstration after about 15 minutes and arrested 30 to 50 people. There were several anti-government uprisings in the region such as the 1979 Qatif Uprising. [272], 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. [358], 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. [193] Extra-Sharia government tribunals usually handle disputes relating to specific royal decrees. Segregated seating, allowing women to enter, has been developed in three stadiums across major cities. [462], As 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. This and the presence of increasingly large numbers of foreign workers greatly affected traditional Saudi norms and values. During the 1970s, cinemas were numerous in the Kingdom although they were seen as contrary to Wahhabi norms. An average of 300 mm (12 in) of rainfall occurs during this period, which is about 60 percent of the annual precipitation. [549], Under Saudi law, every adult female must have a male relative as her "guardian" (wali),[549] As of 2008, a woman was required to have permission from her male guardian in order to travel, study, or work. [242] However, this[243] and Saudi Arabia's role in the 1991 Persian Gulf War, particularly the stationing of US troops on Saudi soil from 1991, prompted the development of a hostile Islamist response internally. Although there was 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. 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. As of 2016, in the interest of preserving precious water resources, domestic production of wheat has ended. [596] Also, the QS World University Rankings has ranked 19 Saudi universities among the top 100 Arab institutions, on its 13th edition. [546], Only two years after Saudi Arabia signed a contract of 10 years with WWE, an increasing number of wrestlers denied to visit Riyadh. Its entire appearance exudes energy, intelligence, courage and nobility. High taxes and a growth in unemployment have contributed to discontent, and has been reflected in a rise in civil unrest, and discontent with the royal family. According to Turkish government sources there is audio and video evidence for him having been murdered and dismembered inside the consulate. [112] Neither entirely succeeded as Islamism continued to grow in strength. However, experts such as Joan Oates had the opportunity to see the Ubaid period sherds in eastern Arabia and consequently conclude that the sherds dates to the last two phases of Ubaid period (period three and four), while handful examples could be classified roughly as either Ubaid 3 or Ubaid 2. 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 finer cotton, also held in place by an agal) worn on the head. The strategy is being viewed as a method of sportswashing following the chaos spread across Yemen since 4 years. At Jizan in the country's well-watered southwest, the Al-Hikmah Research Station is producing tropical fruits including pineapples, paw-paws, bananas, mangoes and guavas. [201] The death penalty can be imposed for a wide range of offences including murder, rape, armed robbery, repeated drug use, apostasy, adultery, witchcraft and sorcery and can be carried out by beheading with a sword, stoning or firing squad, followed by crucifixion. [citation needed]. [388] Increases in oil prices in the early 2000s helped boost per capita GDP to $17,000 in 2007 dollars (about $7,400 adjusted for inflation),[389] but have declined since oil price drop in mid-2014. In any case, it must be one of the oldest alchemical fragments known, and that it is a piece of Hermetic teaching I have no doubt, as it corresponds to teachings of the Thrice-Greatest Hermes as they have been passed down to us in esoteric circles. 156–157. [468] This makes Saudi Arabia the best performing Middle Eastern, Arab and Muslim country. The Bani Khalid tribe later revolted against them in the 17th century and took control. Turkish officials are highly skeptical of Khashoggi being murdered inside the consulate; this has strained the already suffering Saudi Arabia–Turkey relations. [123] 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. 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. [111], The second event was the Grand Mosque Seizure in Mecca by Islamist extremists. It also aims to create an education system which will provide a more secular and vocationally based training. [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. [101] With the aid of the Ikhwan, Ibn Saud captured Al-Ahsa from the Ottomans in 1913. In 2016, the General Entertainment Authority was formed to oversee the expansion of the Saudi entertainment sector. 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. As stated by Ozgur Unluhisarcikli, director of the German Marshall Fund's Ankara office "Turkey is maintaining a very delicate balance in its relations with Saudi Arabia. We groom talented players with the right technical, tactical and mental skills to enable them to compete as professional players at the highest level in football anywhere. The result appeared to be a severe blow to the Kingdom's efforts to improve its image in wake of the ordered killing of the Saudi dissident, Jamal Khashoggi. [117] Many Saudis who did not support the Islamist terrorists were nevertheless deeply unhappy with the government's policies. [350] The CIA World Factbook estimates 2,149,690 km2 (830,000 sq mi) and lists Saudi Arabia as the world's 13th-largest state. Prior to 29 June 2013, the weekend was Thursday-Friday, but was shifted to better serve the Saudi economy and its international commitments. Articles 12.4 and 14.1 of the Executive Regulation of Saudi Citizenship System: 2004 law passed by Saudi Arabia's Council of Ministers. [172] However, these changes have been criticized as being too slow or merely cosmetic. In 1966 an earthwork in Tarout exposed an ancient burial field that yielded a large, impressive statue dating to the Dilmunite period (mid 3rd millennium BC). About 50% of drinking water comes from desalination, 40% from the mining of non-renewable groundwater and 10% from surface water, especially in the mountainous southwest of the country. [157], The Saudi government and the royal family have often, over many years, been accused of corruption. The Red Sea in particular is a rich and diverse ecosystem. [196][197] The system has also been criticized for being arcane,[198] lacking in some of the safeguards of justice, and unable to deal with the modern world. [139][354] Though there are lakes in the country, Saudi Arabia is the largest country in the world by area with no permanent rivers. [198], Capital and physical punishments imposed by Saudi courts, such as beheading, stoning (to death), amputation, crucifixion and lashing, as well as the sheer number of executions have been strongly criticized. [547], Formula One announced to hold its 2021 race in Saudi Arabia for the next season. The State of Lihyan: A New Perspective – p. 192, Rohmer, J. [584], On 1 August 2019, Saudi Arabia allowed women to travel abroad, register a divorce or a marriage, and apply for official documents without the consent of a male guardian. [17][18][19][20][21], 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. Milk production boasts a remarkably productive annual rate of 1,800 gallons per cow, one of the highest in the world. [126][127], Although male-only municipal elections were held on 29 September 2011,[128][129] Abdullah allowed women to vote and be elected in the 2015 municipal elections, and also to be nominated to the Shura Council. [430] Slavery was officially abolished in 1962. [114], King Khalid died of a heart attack in June 1982. A recent poll conducted by YouGov for Save the Children and Avaaz stated that 63 percent of British people oppose the sale of weapons to Saudi. [594] Classes are segregated by sex. [425][426], Its population is also quite young with over half the population under 25 years old. Strikers FC Academy is focused on football development for players in Ghana and across Africa. Saudi Arabia's command economy is petroleum-based; roughly 63%[381] of budget revenues and 67%[382] of export earnings come from the oil industry. [299] Indeed, Osama bin Laden and 15 out of the 19 9/11 hijackers were from Saudi Arabia;[300] in ISIL-occupied Raqqa, in mid-2014, all 12 judges were Saudi. [613] In 2016, 69.7% of the adult population was overweight and 35.5% was obese. [77], On 29 January 2011, hundreds of protesters gathered in the city of Jeddah in a rare display of criticism against the city's poor infrastructure after deadly floods swept through the city, killing 11 people. Steer away from too-good-to-be true ads. [512], Five cultural sites in Saudi Arabia are designated as UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Al-Hijr Archaeological Site (Madâin Sâlih);[513] the Turaif district in the city of Diriyah;[514] Historic Jeddah, the Gate to Mecca;[515] Al-Ahsa Oasis;[516] and Rock Art in the Hail Region. [383][384] [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 Great Seljuq Empire and founded the Uyunid dynasty. [351] It is geographically the largest country in the Middle East and the Arabian Plate. The militants involved were in part angered by what they considered to be the corruption and un-Islamic nature of the Saudi government. Saudi Arabia is bordered by Jordan and Iraq to the north, Kuwait to the northeast, Qatar, Bahrain, and the United Arab Emirates to the east, Oman to the southeast and Yemen to the south; it is separated from Egypt and Israel in the north-west by the Gulf of Aqaba. Saudi Arabia is the only country with both a Red Sea coast and a Persian Gulf coast, and most of its terrain consists of arid desert, lowland, steppe and mountains. Saudi Arabia is Britain's largest arms customer, with more than £4.6 billion worth of arms bought since the start of Saudi-led coalition in Yemen. 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). [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'. [233][234][235][236] In the first decade of the 21st century the Saudi Arabia paid approximately $100 million to American firms to lobby the U.S. [44][45] In addition to being a member of the Gulf Cooperation Council, it is an active and founding member of the United Nations, Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, Arab League, and OPEC. The laws also grant the women the eligibility for the guardianship of minor children. [322], Following the killing of Jamal Khashoggi, a nonbinding resolution was passed in the European Parliament on 25 October 2018, urging EU countries to impose an EU-wide arms embargo on Saudi Arabia. [376][377] It also has the fifth-largest proven natural gas reserves. [3] Similarly, The Chronicle of Higher Education wrote in 2010 that "the country needs educated young Saudis with marketable skills and a capacity for innovation and entrepreneurship. [citation needed] Saudi Arabia spends 8.8% of its gross domestic product on education, compared with the global average of 4.6%. [590] On 2 May, the Finance Minister of Saudi Arabia admitted that the country's economy was facing a severe economical crisis for the first time in decades, due to the pandemic as well as declining global oil markets. [497] Public support for the traditional political/religious structure of the kingdom is so strong that one researcher interviewing Saudis found virtually no support for reforms to secularize the state. [3][562], Obesity is a problem among middle and upper class Saudis who have domestic servants to do traditional work but, until 2018, were forbidden to drive and so are limited in their ability to leave their home. [194] 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. [470], The Hejazi 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. "[303] The Saudi government denies these claims or that it exports religious or cultural extremism. [106], The new kingdom was reliant on limited agriculture and pilgrimage revenues. [404], Each year, about a quarter-million young Saudis enter the job market. Birds include falcons (which are caught and trained for hunting), eagles, hawks, vultures, sandgrouse, and bulbuls. Further cultural developments include the first Saudi public concerts by a female singer, the first Saudi sports stadiums to admit women, and an increased presence of women in the workforce. [312] On 20 October 2010, the US State Department notified Congress of its intention to make the biggest arms sale in American history—an estimated $60.5 billion purchase by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The government has also made an attempt at "Saudizing" the economy, replacing foreign workers with Saudi nationals with limited success.[395]. Among its most productive crops are watermelon, grapes, citrus fruits, onions, squash and tomatoes.
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