Saudi Arabia Land of Contrasts and Contradictions http

Saudi Arabia: Land of Contrasts and Contradictions http: //www. saudinf. com/main/a. htm Created by: Janie Maldonado and Sherrie Greene Austin Independent School District May 2006 1

Saudi Arabia: Land of Contrasts Religious Apartheid in Saudi Arabia, a relatively new country (1932, has a vast wealth of contrasts and contradictions. A typical contrast is evident here. A modern jet flies over a dirt landing strip next to an ancient historical site. The highway sign indicates the seriousness of religious apartheid. Only Moslems are allowed into Mecca. Other visitors are directed elsewhere. 2

Saudi Arabia is the center of Islam and the Middle East. It is the birthplace of Muhammad, the Prophet of Islam is the official religion of Saudi Arabia. The country is located approximately 30°-18° North and 35°-55° East. The relative location of Saudi Arabia is flanked by the very important waterways of the Red Sea on the western border and the Persian Gulf on the eastern border. There are no permanent lakes or rivers in the entire country. Because there is no fresh water, the country must depend on desalination of sea water. Saudi Arabia also borders Egypt, Yemen, Oman, Kuwait, Iraq, and Jordan. 3

Mecca is the birthplace of Islam. Medina is where Muhammad died and the focus of the hajj. Riyadh is the capital. Although situated between the two of the cradles of early civilization, Saudi Arabia is a vast desert mostly utilized by 4 nomadic Bedouins.

Saudi Arabia is 1/3 the size of the United States. 5

Muhammad (The Prophet) v v v Mecca, where Muhammad was born (570) was a trading crossroads, where he started his public preaching in 613. From Mecca with 200 followers, he journeyed to Medina (Yathrib) from July – September 622. In 632, Muhammad leads the first pilgrimage (hajj)to Mecca. Muhammad dies in June, 632 in Medina after he declared that he had now fulfilled his mission on Earth. Muhammad is buried in Medina. With Muhammad’s death all of Arabia is united under the banner of Islam 6

The Five Pillars of Islam Faith Prayer Fasting Alms Hajj In a desert cave in Saudi Arabia, Allah (Islamic name for God) revealed the Five Pillars of Islam to 7 Muhammad. The pillars explain the duties each Moslem must follow in life.

The Hajj The hajj begins with a procession called the tawaf, which takes the pilgrim around the Ka’aba seven times. Thanks to Saudi Arabia’s oil wealth, one part of Alms-giving is used to support or fund other Moslems to come to Medina for the hajj. The Ka’aba is a cube-shaped structure draped in a black cloth that bears a band of sacred verses embroidered in gold and silver thread. Moslems believe that Allah sent the Black Stone from heaven. It is the fortunate pilgrim who manages to break free from the press of the crowd and 8 kiss the Black Stone.

The Hajj Circa early 1900 s Modern pilgrimage 9

Unification of Saudi Arabia Muhammad ibn al- Saud forms a politico-religious pact with Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab in 1744. v Saud is the founder of first Saudi dynasty in Arabia ( reigned from 1746 – 1765). v Saud and Wahhab formed a pact to establish a country based on the purification of Islamic practices from current popular religion and an emphasis on strict monotheism v 10

v v v v Wahhabis (Muwahhidun) 18 th century reformist/revivalist movement Determines the reliance on Qur’an (holy book of Islam) and hadith (interpretations of the Prophet) Rejects medieval interpretations of Islam and justice Emphasized education and knowledge as weapons in dealing with nonbelievers Violent opposition to the cult of saints, idolatry, and shrine and tomb visitations Wahhabis are the crucial allies in the Saud conquest of lands that became Saudi Arabia Wahhabis enforce the excommunication of anyone who doesn’t follow their creed exactly 11

Wahhabism “The premise of this new, narrow ideology was to reject traditional scholars, scholarship, and practices under the guise of "reviving the true tenets of Islam" and protecting the concept of monotheism. " http: //www. eretzyisroel. org/demo. jpg www. eretzyisroel. org/~jkatz/wahhabism. html 12

Modern Saudi Arabia The fortunes of the Saud family rose and fell several times as Saudi rulers contended with Egypt, the Ottoman Empire, and other Arabian families over control of the peninsula. v 1902 - Abdul Aziz Ibn Saud captured Riyadh from the rival Al-Rashid family v 1926 – after conquering other family rivals Abdul became the King of Hijaz (Saudi Arabia) v 13

Modern Saudi Arabia cont. 1927 Abdul took the title of King of Najd v Treaty of Jedda, May 20, 1927 – United Kingdom recognized the independence realm of Addul Aziz’s Kingdom of Hijaz and Najd) v The Saudi family has maintained its role of political and military leadership in the modern-day kingdom of Saudi Arabia, with the descendants of Ibn Abd al. Wahhab continuing to serve as religious advisers. v 14

Coat of Arms http: //en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Saudi_Arabia 15

Flag of Saudi Arabia “There is no god but Allah Muhammad is His Prophet” http: //en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Saudi_Arabia 16

Saudi Arabian Anthem ARABIC LYRICS ENGLISH TRANSLATION Sarei Lil Majd Walalya Majjedi Le Khaleg Assama Warfai El Khaffag Akhdar Yahmil Annoor al mosattar Raddedy Allah Wakbar Yamawteni Mawtenii Gad Isht Fakhr Al Moslemeen Aash Al Maleek Lelalam Walwatan Hasten to glory and supremacy! Glorify the Creator of the heavens And raise the green, fluttering flag, Carrying the emblem of Light! Repeat - God is greatest! O my country, My country, may you always live, The glory of all Muslims! Long live the King, For the flag and the country! (Adopted 1950) 17

The discovery of oil in March 1938 transformed the country economically, and has given the kingdom great legitimacy over the years http: //ww. hrc. utexas. edu/exhibitions/online/ddd/indeedes/images/475/339. jpg 18

Oil from Lucky Seven oil well www. westforum. sc. edu/Virtual. Museum/images/Lucky. Seven. Drop_jpg. “After six dry holes and after running out of almost all their money and hope, the Socal people were ready to give up their concession in eastern Arabia. But in late February 1958 4, 500 feet down, Dammam No 7 struck and within a month was producing over 5, 00 barrels a day. American oilmen were in Saudi Arabia to stay”. 19

". . February 14, 2005, marks the 60 th anniversary of the historic meeting between Saudi Arabia's King Abdul Aziz and then U. S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt aboard the cruiser USS Quincy at Great Bitter Lake in Egypt. These two visionary leaders forged an enduring relationship that has weathered many challenges from the Cold War to the terrorism we face today. . " Saudi Arabia is included in world’s decision making and problem solving. 20

King Abudullah bin Abdulaziz Greeting U. S. Ambassador Oberwetter and wife in Dhahran. Note the traditional attire covering the western style suit. Visiting conjoined twins at hospital 21

President Bush and King www. whitehouse. gov/. . . / 20020425 -4 -2 -515 h. html President George W. Bush welcomes Crown Prince Abdullah of Saudi Arabia to the Bush family ranch in Crawford, Texas, Thursday, April 25, 2005. "The Crown Prince is going to be in America for several more days, and officials from both our governments will be continuing our discussions with the hope that our efforts can help return us to the path of peace -- a lasting peace, " said the President in a press conference 22 after the visit.

Women of Saudi Arabia 23

Men in Saudi Arabia Foreign citizens are imported as workers. Voting Day Women are allowed to vote only in some elections. 24

Flower Dance These men are performing an ancient ritual of the Flower Dance. Notice only men are present. As peaceful as this dance may seem, they all hold swords. http: //images. google. com/imgres? imgurl=http: //www. galenfrysinger. com/Photos/saudi 132. jpg&imgrefurl=http: //www. galenfrysinger. com/flower_men_of_saudi_arabia. htm&h=504&w=331&sz=111&tbnid=lc 6 hca 1 ru_0 h. KM: &tbnh= 128&tbnw=84&hl=en&start=7&prev=/images%3 Fq%3 Dmen%2 Bin%2 BSaudi%2 BArabia%26 svnum%3 D 10%26 hl%3 Den%26 lr%3 D%26 sa%3 DG 25

Women participating in the Hajj. Men at prayer. 26

Bedouins www. whitehouse. gov/. . . / 20020425 -4 -2 -515 h. html The lifestyle of the Bedouins has been in existence since ancient times in Arabia and has changed little. Bedouins are nomadic tribes who live in the Arabian desert. 27

Housing A stark contrast is ever present in housing life-styles. A serious problem in Saudi Arabia is that often times money earmarked for infrastructure, such as modern sewage, is pilfered or fleeced by dishonest politicians or city officials. 28

The name of Riyadh means "the gardens". In the central desert of Nedj, there was an oasis with traditional houses made of earth. A huge trend of modernization has led to the destruction or dereliction of the old earth made houses until recently. A preservation policy has begun to save the last witness of of the past 29

A modern Saudi Arabian suburban neighborhood. Notice the protective outer fence. 30

A modern shopping mall market place Shopping A woman shopping in traditional black clothing Busy city life outside a 31

Shopping cont. Jeddah Shopping Center Mall From the market above, 104 illegal immigrants were deported back to Pakistan. The Wahhabis enforce a “secret police” who monitor illegal activities in all aspects of Islamic 32 daily life.

Four major cities of Saudi Arabia. http: //www. saudi-us-relations. org/maps/images/saudi-mecca-madina-jeddah-riyadh-map-600. jpg 33

Transportation 34

Saudi Arabian Economy Budget: Income. . . $32. 3 Billion Expenditure. . . $34 Billion Main Crops: Wheat, barley, tomatoes, melons, dates, citrus; mutton, chickens, eggs, milk. Natural Resources: Petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, gold, copper. Major Industries: Crude oil production, petroleum refining, basic petrochemicals, cement, two small steelrolling mills, construction, fertilizer, plastics 35

Economy cont. A map of the pipeline: the lifeblood of Saudi Arabia. The economy is almost totally dependent upon foreign labor. The number of expatriate workers is large with the bulk coming from Egypt, Pakistan, India, Indonesia, and the Philippines. http: //www. pbs. org/wnet/wideangle/shows/saudi/images/map 1. gif 36

Tourism limitations 37

Saudi Arabia is trying to diversify its economy. v v Saudi Arabia's economy is vulnerable to fluctuating commodity prices because of its heavy reliance on oil exports. But its grip on international oil markets has weakened considerably because of rival production from the former Soviet Union, Africa and Latin America. • After the oil boon, Bedouins were encouraged to abandon the nomadic lifestyle in exchange for farming, or employment in city life. Most Bedouins have not been successful in this effort. 38

Contact with the rest of world continues to make Saudi Arabia a land of contrasts: 39

United States presence is shown in a remote area. Saudi Arabia has not escaped the ravages of graffiti. At a popular meeting place, replete with neon. graffiti and electrical signs, traditional attire is evident. 40

Saudi Arabia is a country trying to belong to the 21 st century with strong traditional morals from Islam and Arabia’s humble beginnings. Wahhabism continues to be a strong force and the moral backbone of Saudi Arabia. This in itself is a cause for many contrasts and contradictions. 41

Photograph & Powerpoint Credits Slide 1: http: //web. umr. edu/~rogersda/military_service/A 7%20 over%20 Saudi%20 Arabia. jpg http: //www. freedomhouse. org/religion/country/Saudi%20 Arabia/Mecca%20 sign. j Slide 2: Zioneocon. blogspot. com/map-middle-east. gif Slide 3: http: //www. saudi -us-relations. org/maps/images/saudi-arabia-map-factbook-600. jpg Slide 4: About. com/library/blank/usa 3. jpg Slide 5: http: //edf 3. gallaudet. edu/diversity/moslems/pillars 2. jpg Slide 6: http: //www. csmonitor. com/specials/hajjmap/hajj 1. gif Slide 7: http: //www. csmonitor. com/specials/hajjmap/hajj 1. gif Slide 8: http: //www. unexplainedstuff. com/images/geuu_02_img 0461. jpg http: //i. a. cnn. net/cnn/SPECIALS/2005/hajj/images/top. mecca. jpg Slide 9: http: //arabiancareers. com/saudi. html Slide 10: http: //arabiancareers. com/saudi. html 42

Photograph & Powerpoint Credits Slide 16: http: //david. national-anthems. net/sa'. htm Slide 19: http: //en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Saudi_Arabia Slide 20: http: //en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Image: Abdullah_of_Saudi_Arabia. jpg www. conjoinedtwins. med. sa/ gallery/polish/page. . . Slide 21: news. bbc. co. uk/media/ images/38375000/jpg/_383. . . Slide 22: http: //watch. windsofchange. net/pics/saudi_shopping_s. jpg http: //www. ameinfo. com/images/news/0/13650 -saudi-woman. jpg http: //www. artcrimes. com/istanbul/saudi_arabia_dsk_istanbul. jpg http: //i-cias. com/e. o/ill/arabs 03. jpg Slide 23: http: //images. google. com/imgres? imgurl=http: //news. bbc. co. uk/media/images/ http: //www. cbc. ca/gfx/pix/saudi_elections_cp_7102616. jpg http: //images. google. com/imgres? imgurl=http: //www. galenfrysinger. com/ Slide 25: http: //images. google. com/imgres? imgurl=http: //news. bbc. co. uk/media/images/ http: //images. google. com/imgres? imgurl=http: //news. bbc. co. uk/media/images news. bbc. co. uk/. . . /newsid_4405100/4405164. stm http: //images. google. com/imgres? imgurl=http: //news. bbc. co. uk/media/images/40735000/jpg 43

Photograph & Powerpoint Credits Slide 27: http: //www. exploresaudiarabia. com/factfile/images/soldier_cooking. gif http: //saudiembassy. net/Publications/Mag. Winter 98/images/p 16. jpg http: //www. mattmtravels. com/Saudi%20 Arabia 021. jpg Slide 28: http: //images. google. com/imgres? imgurl=http: //geoimages. berkeley. edu/Geo. Image Slide 29: http: //images. google. com/imgres? imgurl=http: //geoimages. berkeley. edu/Geo. Images Slide 30: http: //images. google. com/imgres? imgurl=http: //geoimages. berkeley. edu/Geo. Images http: //www. galenfrysinger. com/Photos/saudi 90. jpg http: //images. google. com/imgres? imgurl=http: //kerneltrap. org/jeremy/pictures/2003 Slide 31: www. despardes. com/pakistan/ images/kababish-li. . . www. demetrios-sa. com/ contact. php Slide 33: www. mosnews. com/ files/1128/picture. jpg http: //www. arab-world-information. com/saudi_arabia_files/image 012. jpg http: //images. google. com/imgres? imgurl=http: //www. toursaudiarabia. com/pictures/ 44 http: //images. google. com/imgres? imgurl=http: //geoimages. berkeley. edu/Geo. Images

Photograph & Powerpoint Credits Slide 34: www. banterist. com/ archivefiles/images/1232 ad. jpg Slide 36: http: //www. saudiembassy. net/ Slide 37: news. bbc. co. uk/media/ images/38375000/jpg/_383. . . Slide 38: http: //homepage. mac. com/cfj/. Pictures/mecca-cola. jpg http: //www. flagline. com/images/magnets/saudi-arabia. jpg Slide 39: http: //www. pbs. org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/terrorism/art/p_saudip. jpg http: //www. artcrimes. com/istanbul/saudi_arabia_dsk_istanbul. jpg 45

Project coordinated by Janie Maldonado and Sherrie Greene Austin Independent School District May, 2006 46