MUSIC in Saudi Arabia

Mohammed Abdu Othman Al A'aseere, also known as Mohammed Abdu is a very famous composer, he was born June 12th, 1949. Native to Saudi Arabia and one of the "most popular musicians." He sings in Arabic and is commonly referred to as the "Artist of Arabs."

Citation: AMERICAN BEDU. "Who is Mohammed Abdu." http://americanbedu.com/2008/09/12/1987/ (accessed June 6th, 2009)

picture- http://chadazik.com/mp3zik/images/Mohamed%20abdo.jpg

Saudi Arabia's Local Elections Delayed for 2-years

Saudi Arabia has experimented with the idea of an electoral democracy, yet is has experienced another setback. The Royal Family has decided to push back the local council elections for another two years. King Abdullah, leader of the council of ministers made this decision in a positive way, stating that the two years in needed to establish new law and “expand the participation of citizens in the management of local affairs.”
In 2003 when the government announced the permission of council elections, they were billed in hopes to dilute this conservative nation and make it more "open system." Prince Abdullah, the current king, included the bills in another agenda where they were discussed in conferences in which they discussed national issues.
The general public thinks the whole process and postponement of an electoral democracy is a failure. "King Abdullah is popular and has taken what are considered bold moves to try to speed reconciliation between modernity and his ultra-religious, traditional nation. He has ousted from power some major conservative figures, and he appointed the first female deputy minister. While he has absolute authority, he still must rule by consensus within the family, and there are forces that oppose his actions."
The decisions the King has made have also secured the family's "grip on power."

Citation: THE NEW YORK TIMES. "Middle East: Saudi's Local Elections Delayed for Two Years."http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/20/world/middleeast/20saudi.html?_r=1 (accessed June 5th, 2009)

Saudi Arabia: Past to Present...

5th Century AD: Mecca develops into the main city of the region.
570: The Prophet Muhammad is born, assumed to be the Prophet of Islam.
630: Mecca is taken over by the prophet and his followers, expansion into the Arabian Peninsula begins.
1269: The region is defeated by the Mamelukes of Egypt.
15th Century: Saud dynasty emerges in the region near modern Riyadh.
Mid 18th Century: Religious leader, Muhammad ibnu Bdi l-Wahhab creates a Saudi supported sect, this movement eventually establishes a national state in the center of Arabia (Najd).
1802: Mecca is overpowered by the Wahhabis.
1812: Wahhabis are pushed out by the general population.
1818: Saudis and Wahhabis make Riyadh their capital, reconquering begins again.
1865: Dynasty crumbles due to civil war causing a dissection, Arabia and Ottoman clans exist.
1902: Riyadh is recaptured by Abdul Aziz ibn Saud.
1906: Saudis seize control of Najd again.
1913: Conquering of Hasa, which is east of Najd.
1921: Conquering of Jabal Shammar, which is northwest of Najd.
1923: Britain puts a halt on funding Abdul Aziz and the Sharif, this causes a shift in power in favor of Abdul Aziz.
1924: The Sharif officially makes himself Caliph. Abdul Aziz identifies himself as guardian of the Holy Place.
1925: Conquering of Medina.
1926: Abdul Aziz declares himself the king of Hijaz.
1932: Defeated territories become unified and called SAUDI ARABIA. Abdul Aziz declares himself King of Saudi Arabia.
1938: Discovery of oil.
1940-1945: Saudi Arabia and the U.S. are allies during WWII.
1951: Agreement with Aramco, an Arabian-American Oil Company, gives Saudi Arabia 50% of the earnings for oil. Aramco begins paying taxes to Saudi Arabia rather than that of the U.S. government.
1953: Death of the King, Abdul Aziz, succeeded by his son, Saud.
1956: Saudi Arabia lessens their economic and political ties with Britain, France, Israel, and Egypt.
1957: Relationship with the U.S. heightens with King Saud's visit to the U.S.
1958: King's power was balanced out with the introduction of legislative and executive powers, which were given to the Prime Minister.
1963: Army is mobilized after severing the ties with Egypt.
1964: Prince Feisal takes power over King Saud, the political system implemented by the Prince is still in use today.
1967: Saudi Arabia offers aid to Egypt, pre-six day war.
1973: Saudi Arabia is key player in boycotting oil to Western countries that were in favor of Israel, this cause oil prices to be four times higher.
1975: King Feisal is murdered, Khalid rises to King.
1979: Saudi Arabia denies financial assistance to Egypt after signing the Camp David Agreement.
1980: Saudi Arabia fully controls Aramco.
1982: Death of King Khalid and succession of King Fahd.
1987: Relations with Egypt are re-established.
1990: US intervenes in the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait because Saudi Arabia requested intervention.
1991: Saudi Arabia attacks Iraq to help liberate Kuwait.
1992: King Fahd propose the consultative council, majlis al-shura.
1993: Consultative council is inaugurated, 60 men are installed by the King.
1994: Osama Bin-Ladin is stripped of his Saudi identity/nationality.
2002: Iraq border crossing reopens, first time since Iraq invaded Kuwait in 1990.

Citations: THE SAUDI NETWORK. "Saudi Arabia Old History." http://www.the-saudi.net/saudi-arabia/saudi_history.htm (accessed June 4th, 2009)

BBC. "Timeline: Saudi Arabi (1871-2003)." http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/fr/1017886/posts (accessed June 4th, 2009)

Participation and Impact of WWI

Saudi Arabia was known as the "puppet-state" during WWI because they become supporters of Salafi terrorism. Saudi Arabia was significant due to their valuable abundance in oil. In the year 1915 the British signed a treaty with Ibn Saud, "treatise of friendship and cooperation", which entailed the British would support them financially. "By the year 1917 the Saudi ruler was receiving five thousand pounds per month." With the collapse of the Ottoman Empire and British support, Ibn Saud and his "brotherhood" set out to expand and take over the Peninsula. By 1932, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was completely established, "with British sanction."

Brief History: 1258-1922

Saudi Arabia remained the "spiritual focus of Islam" because it was mandatory for Muslims to perform their ritual here, or Haj pilgrimage. The city was without an efficient political or administrative system during the beginning of the Islamic period. "When the Caliphate was powerful, it controlled the Hijaz and ensured the safety of pilgrims in Mecca." Eventually the Hijaz fell and Sharifs of Mecca rose to power around 1201. During this time of change there was an area of modern day Saudi Arabia that was undisturbed by outsiders, it was known as The Najd. Natives to this land were the Bedouin tribes. Their land came to be "the home of the Wahhabi Islamic sect and the house of Saud that was to create modern Saudi Arabia." The Saud family gained establishment and settled around 1500. The tribes native to The Najd remained seperate from Islamic life. Muhammad ibn Abd al Wahhab was responsible for the creation of "Wahhabis", after studying in foreign countries he came back and preached against Shia and "local paganism", he put emphasis on Muslim monotheism. In 1744 the head of the Saud family and Muhammad ibn Abd al Wahhab "swore a traditional Muslim oath promising to work together to establish a state based on Islamic principles." After Muhammad ibn Abd al Wahhab's death in 1765, the Saud family enforced Wahhabism in Najd, Karbala, Iraq, Hijaz, Mecca, and Medina. The Saud family and the Wahhabis settled in Riyadh where they made this their capital in the year 1824. The formation of modern Saudi Arabia began in 1902 when Abdul Aziz ibn Saud regained power in the Najd and Riyadh, he was recognized by the Ottoman's as the Wahhabi imam. Aziz's major advance occurred during WWI, he captured the Jebel Shammer in the year 1921, then Mecca in 1924, and then Medina in 1925, by 1932 he renamed his kingdom Saudi Arabia.

Famous Architecture

THE PROPHET'S MOSQUE (Masjid Nabawi)was built in 622 A.D. "The walls were made of mud bricks and the roofs were supported by trunks of palm trees." This mosque is large enough to withhold 1,000,000 visitors at one time. There are ten minarets within this mosque and most of them are about 99 meters high. Not only is this a magnificent mosque that is added to Saudi Arabia's collection, it is also the burial site of the Prophet Muhammad.
CITATIONS: photo- http://www.zubeyr-kureemun.com/SaudiArabia/MosquesOfMedina.htm (accessed June 1st, 2009)
Zubeyr Kureemun. "The Mosques of Madina."http://www.zubeyr-kureemun.com/SaudiArabia/MosquesOfMedina.htm" (accessed June 1st, 2009)


FLOATING MOSQUE in JEDDAH is one of the most sacred sites in the city of Jeddah and it is located right in the center of the city. Its architecture is a fusion of ancient and modern design. The mosque is known as the floating mosque because it is situated along the coast of the Red Sea which gives it a "floating impression."
CITATIONS: photo- http://i1.trekearth.com/photos/96584/mosque_and__the_sea.jpg (accessed June 1st, 2009)
ASIANROOMS."Floating Mosque in Jeddah." http://www.asiarooms.com/travel-guide/saudi-arabia/jeddah/jeddah-sightseeing/floating-mosque-in-jeddah.html(accessed June 1st, 2009)


MASMAK FORTRESS dates back to the the 19th century, built in 1865. The fortress is actually a mud fortress that is located in Al-Bathaa or "Riyadh's old area". The fortress is dedicated to Abdulaziz in honor of his "unification of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia." This castle is a big part of Saudi Arabia's history, within the castle there is a mosque and a well.
CITATION: photo-
http://www.galenfrysinger.com/saudi_arabia.htm (accessed June 1st, 2009)
KASBAH.COM. "Saudi Arabia- Masmak Fortress".http://www.kasbah.com/highlights/saudi_arabia_masmak_fortress.htm(accessed June 1st, 2009)

Brief History: 661-1258

The Umayyad Dynasty was the first great Muslim dynasty to rule the empire, Saudi Arabia included, during the time period of 661-750. Abu-Sufyan was the leader of the Umayyads, , he and his tribe had iniitally rejected Islam, later converting around 627. He and his family became active administrative members under Muhammad and his successors. After the murder of Uthman who was the third caliph there emerged a struggle for power. Muawiyah gained success over Muhammad's son-in-law, Ali, and named himself the first Umayyad Caliph. This is what ultimately led to the split in Islam between the Sunni and the Shi'ite. The Umayyad Dynasty went on to conquer other countries, but eventually fell as most dyanasties do, around 750. With their collapse, the Abbasid dynasty went on to continue their religion and maintenance of their Holy City

Citation: ENCYCLOPEDIA BRITANNICA. "http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/613719/Umayyad-dynasty" (accessed on June 1st, 2009)

Pilgrimage to Mecca (Hajj)

The Hajj is a pilgrimage to Mecca that all Muslims are encouraged to make at least once in their lifetime. Muslims from across the globe come to Mecca to perform and experience this pilgrimage. Some save up for a lifetime to make it just once, and others can afford to go much easier. There are certain requirements that must be met before setting off on one's journey, spiritual, religious, and logistical preparations. Those who can afford the trip and those who are physically capable of enduring the harsh conditions are required to make the journey. Due to the overwhelming number of prospective pilgrims one cannot just book a ticket and hope to begin their religious pilgrimage, you must first apply for a Hajj visa. It is said that the Hajj attracts 2-3 million Muslims around the world. The Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca consists of 5 steps: 

1) Arrival and change in Mikat- This is where the pilgrims will give up their clothes to create uniformity amongst all, you race, social status, nationality etc is left here, all the pilgrims will continue on indistinguishable before God.

 2) The city of Mecca (The Hajj rites in Mecca)- Muslims will circle around the Kabah seven times counter-clockwise, this is a form of prayer. 

3) Mina Valley and Plain of Arafat- The pilgrims are now on a 15 mile trek where they will stop four times along the desert path. On the 8th day the pilgrims will be in Mina Valley, they will stay overnight here and continue on to the Plain of Arafat, further distancing themselves from civilization. 

4) Muzdalifah- This is where the pilgrims move in masses into an open plain called Muzdalifah. Here they will rest, pray, eat, share their experiences with others and collect their pebbles they will need to throw at the Jamarat pillars.

5) Return to Mina Valley then back to Mecca (concluding the pilgrimage)- The Hajj population will perform their rite called "The Stoning", this is where they throw their pebbles at 3 pillars that represent Satan. In Mina Valley they are allowed to return to their original dress and some mark the end of their voyage by cutting their hair. In celebration of completion, they may now engage in a 3-day feast. Before returning back home, they make their 7 turns around the Kabah once more. 

Citations: 

PBS. "Muhammad: Legacy of a Prophet."http://www.pbs.org/muhammad/vh_step5.shtml. (accessed May 26th, 2009)

Islam in Saudi Arabia

One hundred percent of Saudis are Muslim, all Saudis are required to practice Islam, it "governs their personal, political, economic and legal lives." As mentioned below, Saudi Arabia does not honor diversity in Religion, those who are not practicing Sunni Muslims are subject to persecution. 

Citation:  KWINTESSENTIAL. "Saudi Arabia- Language, Culture, Custom, and Etiquette." http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/resources/global-etiquette/saudi-arabia-country-profile.html (accessed May 26th, 2009)

Religious Relations

Islam is the official religion in Saudi Arabia. Their monarchy and Islamic based legal system does not support freedom of religion in their country, by law all citizens must be Muslim. The government enforces this law that all citizens must abide by Islamic beliefs and it is prohibited to publicly practice any non-Muslim religions. Even within the religion of Islam lies segregation and discrimination. Muslims are either Sunni or Shi'a, Shi'a Muslims being the minority and they too are punishable by law by the religious police known as the Mutawwa'in. 

Citation: U.S. Department of State. "Saudi Arabia, International Religious Freedom Report 2004." http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/irf/2004/35507.htm (accessed May 21, 2009)

Quba Mosque

Quba Mosque is the oldest and first mosque built in Saudi Arabia, located in Madina, in fact this mosque is known to be the oldest mosque in the world. Muslims believe that the Prophet Mohammad himself laid the first stones of this mosque.

Citation: ASIA ROOMS. "Quba Mosque in Saudi Arabia." http://www.asiarooms.com/travel-guide/saudi-arabia/saudi-arabia-tourist-attractions/quba-mosque-in-saudi-arabia.html (accessed May 20th, 2009)

Saudi Arabia's Official Language

ARABIC is the official language of Saudi Arabia. The "Holy Book of Islam" or the Quran, is written in Arabic and with the spread of Islam worldwide, Arabic has also become a common spoken language.

Saudi Arabia was once apart of The Arabian Peninsula

Existing Stereotypes of Arabs

1) Women face inequality and oppression in Saudi Arabia

2) Arabs are commonly considered terrorists

3) "In the media, Arabs are portrayed as either bombers, billionaires or belly dancers" (Shaheen, Jack G, The TV Arab (Bowling Green State University Papular Ness,1984), 4.)

Facts and Geography of Saudi Arabia

• The capital and largest city of Saudi Arabia is Riyadh, it is located in the center of the Arabian Peninsula.
• "The kingdom of Saudi Arabia was founded in 1932 by Abdul Aziz ibn Saud, and it has been ruled by his descendants ever since." (http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761575422/saudi_arabia.html) (accessed May 18, 2009)
• The religion of Islam is the most prominent religion in this country.
• The abundance of oil and natural gas exits beneath its surface and this ultimately lead to their wealth after the ascertainment of oil.
• Saudi Arabia is made up of vast deserts, dry and hot climate with very little moisture or rainfall.
• Saudi Arabia contains "mountain ranges, flat coastal plains, and rocky remains of hardened lava flows."
• This country can be divided into four regions: 1) In the West is the mountainous highlands. 2) In central Saudi Arabia there are the rocky plateau. 3) In the East, where its fertile, lies the descending coastal plain. 4) Lastly, in the North and South, as well as parts of the East are the beautiful sandy deserts.
• Saudi Arabia has access to the Persian Gulf on the Eastern Hemisphere, and the Red Sea and Gulf of Aqaba on the Western side.
• Saudi Arabia is neighboring the countries of Jordan, Kuwait, and Iraq to it's Eastern side, Oman and The United Arab Emirates to the Southeast, and Yemen directly south.

Arabic Map of Saudi Arabia and Surrounding Region

Map of Saudi Arabia