Saudi Arabia in Context
The People of Saudi Arabia
Daily life in Saudi Arabia is very family-centered. Families do almost everything together, especially female family members who are rarely allowed contact with other people. In most cases, men are the only family members that work, while women stay at home to attend to things in the house hold. Both Saudi men and women dress in very traditional clothing, such as a kaffiyeh head covering for men and a hijab or niqab head covering for women (Teitelbaum). Religion is also a huge part of daily life, and is the main reason the Saudi people dress so conservatively. The national religion, Islam, includes very strict rules about daily life which have been converted into legislation called Sharia Law. These laws dictate the daily activities of Saudi Citizens, such as what to eat and wear, and are are enforced by the police. Sharia Law also mandates that most public places are gender segregated, and citizens stop what they're doing to pray several times throughout the day. To this day, there are still public executions held for people who break Sharia Law in an extreme way (Woodfield). The extreme role religion plays in Saudi Arabia makes it a very conservative country. There are two types of Islam found in Saudi Arabia: Sunni and Shia. They are the only religions allowed in Saudi Arabia, and Sunni is by far the most dominant of the two, making up for 84% of the population (Religion). Shiite Muslims are still occasionally prosecuted by Saudi police, and have been banned from taking part in religious pilgrimages in the past. Saudi Arabia is not what one would consider a "fun" country. Sharia Law bans drinking, partying, and even movies, and all works of art are highly censored (McGuigan). For pleasure, Saudi citizens spend time with family, play games or read, or go out for a meal or a sporting event. It is an oppressive country, but Saudi Arabians still thrive.
Daily life in Saudi Arabia is very family-centered. Families do almost everything together, especially female family members who are rarely allowed contact with other people. In most cases, men are the only family members that work, while women stay at home to attend to things in the house hold. Both Saudi men and women dress in very traditional clothing, such as a kaffiyeh head covering for men and a hijab or niqab head covering for women (Teitelbaum). Religion is also a huge part of daily life, and is the main reason the Saudi people dress so conservatively. The national religion, Islam, includes very strict rules about daily life which have been converted into legislation called Sharia Law. These laws dictate the daily activities of Saudi Citizens, such as what to eat and wear, and are are enforced by the police. Sharia Law also mandates that most public places are gender segregated, and citizens stop what they're doing to pray several times throughout the day. To this day, there are still public executions held for people who break Sharia Law in an extreme way (Woodfield). The extreme role religion plays in Saudi Arabia makes it a very conservative country. There are two types of Islam found in Saudi Arabia: Sunni and Shia. They are the only religions allowed in Saudi Arabia, and Sunni is by far the most dominant of the two, making up for 84% of the population (Religion). Shiite Muslims are still occasionally prosecuted by Saudi police, and have been banned from taking part in religious pilgrimages in the past. Saudi Arabia is not what one would consider a "fun" country. Sharia Law bans drinking, partying, and even movies, and all works of art are highly censored (McGuigan). For pleasure, Saudi citizens spend time with family, play games or read, or go out for a meal or a sporting event. It is an oppressive country, but Saudi Arabians still thrive.
Challenges in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia's economy is almost completely oil-based, but lately oil prices have been driven down after several countries lessened their trade with Saudi Arabia. To fix this economic issue, the Saudi Government raised petroleum prices by about 50%. While this takes care of the losses sustained economically, it creates another problem because Saudi citizens are enraged over the increased prices. They too buy their gas from the government and rushed to buy gas right before the price went up, creating huge backups. Since the price has gone up, there has been a lot of public backlash toward to government because of it (Holodny).
Another problem currently at center stage in Saudi Arabia is the conflict with Iran. It stems from the attacks by Saudi Arabia on Yemen. Iran condemned those attacks and is suspected of giving aid to Houthi rebels in Yemen who are fighting back against Saudi Arabia. This suspicion has recently been confirmed by the US Ambassador to the UN, Nikki Haley. As of now Saudi Arabia and Iran are not directly fighting, but as tensions increase it is possible the two middle eastern powers will clash in yet another war in the Middle East (Erickson).
Saudi Arabia continues to commit horrible human rights violations against a multitude of different people. The country has launched 58 documented airstrikes into Yemen, killing over 800 innocent citizens and violating international law agreements. The government has jailed peaceful activists simply for speaking out about the government, giving the most prominent ones life sentences. Saudi Arabia continues to implement a Guardianship system, under which women and girls need a male guardians permission to do anything from leave the house to seek intensive medical treatment, leaving females with almost no rights. Saudi Law abuses migrant workers, giving them hardly any rights and requiring they obtain permission from their employer to leave the country (Saudi). The list of injustices continue across many types of people, which is Saudi Arabia's biggest problem.
Saudi Arabia's economy is almost completely oil-based, but lately oil prices have been driven down after several countries lessened their trade with Saudi Arabia. To fix this economic issue, the Saudi Government raised petroleum prices by about 50%. While this takes care of the losses sustained economically, it creates another problem because Saudi citizens are enraged over the increased prices. They too buy their gas from the government and rushed to buy gas right before the price went up, creating huge backups. Since the price has gone up, there has been a lot of public backlash toward to government because of it (Holodny).
Another problem currently at center stage in Saudi Arabia is the conflict with Iran. It stems from the attacks by Saudi Arabia on Yemen. Iran condemned those attacks and is suspected of giving aid to Houthi rebels in Yemen who are fighting back against Saudi Arabia. This suspicion has recently been confirmed by the US Ambassador to the UN, Nikki Haley. As of now Saudi Arabia and Iran are not directly fighting, but as tensions increase it is possible the two middle eastern powers will clash in yet another war in the Middle East (Erickson).
Saudi Arabia continues to commit horrible human rights violations against a multitude of different people. The country has launched 58 documented airstrikes into Yemen, killing over 800 innocent citizens and violating international law agreements. The government has jailed peaceful activists simply for speaking out about the government, giving the most prominent ones life sentences. Saudi Arabia continues to implement a Guardianship system, under which women and girls need a male guardians permission to do anything from leave the house to seek intensive medical treatment, leaving females with almost no rights. Saudi Law abuses migrant workers, giving them hardly any rights and requiring they obtain permission from their employer to leave the country (Saudi). The list of injustices continue across many types of people, which is Saudi Arabia's biggest problem.
The Beauty of Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia is mostly desert, but the civilized areas are full of life and lights. The country is home to the largest mass of sand in the world (Asia), and the beauty of the sand dunes is striking. Saudi Arabia also has many gorgeous cities, such as Mecca and Riyadh (Top). But perhaps the most alluring thing about these places is the contrast between them. The bareness of the desert meets the extravagance of the cities and creates a scene more beautiful than either of them could separately.
Saudi Arabian culture has many wonderful aspects to it, including it's love of poetry. It is considered the highest expression of art, and has been wildly popular in Saudi Arabia since the nomads lived there. Today, Saudi's are exposed to poetry through televised poetry competitions and festivals such as the Jenadriyah National Culture and Heritage Festival, where famous poets are invited to read aloud their work (Lee). The age-old tradition of poetry adds beauty to the lives and minds of Saudi citizens daily.
Saudi Arabia is mostly desert, but the civilized areas are full of life and lights. The country is home to the largest mass of sand in the world (Asia), and the beauty of the sand dunes is striking. Saudi Arabia also has many gorgeous cities, such as Mecca and Riyadh (Top). But perhaps the most alluring thing about these places is the contrast between them. The bareness of the desert meets the extravagance of the cities and creates a scene more beautiful than either of them could separately.
Saudi Arabian culture has many wonderful aspects to it, including it's love of poetry. It is considered the highest expression of art, and has been wildly popular in Saudi Arabia since the nomads lived there. Today, Saudi's are exposed to poetry through televised poetry competitions and festivals such as the Jenadriyah National Culture and Heritage Festival, where famous poets are invited to read aloud their work (Lee). The age-old tradition of poetry adds beauty to the lives and minds of Saudi citizens daily.
“Bedouin Nabati Poetry in the Arabian Peninsula.” YouTube, NYU Abu Dhabi, 7 June 2017.
Works Cited
“Asia/.” World Atlas, World Atlas, 7 Apr. 2017, www.worldatlas.com
Erickson, Amanda. “Analysis | What’s behind the Feud between Saudi Arabia and Iran? Power.” The Washington Post, WP Company, 20 Dec. 2017, www.washingtonpost.com
Holodny, Elena. “2016 Could Be 'the Year of Living Dangerously for Saudi Arabia'.” Business Insider, Business Insider, 4 Jan. 2016, www.businessinsider.com
McGuigan, Brendan. “Culture & Religion of Saudi Arabia.” USA Today, Gannett Satellite Information Network, traveltips.usatoday.com
“Religion in Saudi Arabia.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 1 Jan. 2018, en.wikipedia.org
“Saudi Arabia.” Human Rights Watch, HRW, 12 Jan. 2017, www.hrw.org
Teitelbaum, Joshua, and William L. Ochsenwald. “Saudi Arabia.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 4 Jan. 2018, www.britannica.com
“Top 5 Best Cities in Saudi Arabia for Expats.” Banker in the Sun, Banker in the Sun, 17 Dec. 2015, www.bankerinthesun.com
Woodfield, Marjory. “Life in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: What It's Really Like.” Stuff, 23 Feb. 2017, www.stuff.co.nz
“Asia/.” World Atlas, World Atlas, 7 Apr. 2017, www.worldatlas.com
Erickson, Amanda. “Analysis | What’s behind the Feud between Saudi Arabia and Iran? Power.” The Washington Post, WP Company, 20 Dec. 2017, www.washingtonpost.com
Holodny, Elena. “2016 Could Be 'the Year of Living Dangerously for Saudi Arabia'.” Business Insider, Business Insider, 4 Jan. 2016, www.businessinsider.com
McGuigan, Brendan. “Culture & Religion of Saudi Arabia.” USA Today, Gannett Satellite Information Network, traveltips.usatoday.com
“Religion in Saudi Arabia.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 1 Jan. 2018, en.wikipedia.org
“Saudi Arabia.” Human Rights Watch, HRW, 12 Jan. 2017, www.hrw.org
Teitelbaum, Joshua, and William L. Ochsenwald. “Saudi Arabia.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 4 Jan. 2018, www.britannica.com
“Top 5 Best Cities in Saudi Arabia for Expats.” Banker in the Sun, Banker in the Sun, 17 Dec. 2015, www.bankerinthesun.com
Woodfield, Marjory. “Life in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: What It's Really Like.” Stuff, 23 Feb. 2017, www.stuff.co.nz