Transcript The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

The Kingdom of
Saudi Arabia
Facts- Saudi Arabia is the largest
nation in the Arabian peninsula with
an estimated 2,150,000 sq. ft in land
mass with 28.7 million inhabitants.
The Persian Gulf lies northeast and
the Red Sea to its west. It is
bordered by Jordan on the
northwest, Iraq on the north and
northeast, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain,
and the U.A.E. on the East
The Islamic Kingdom
The kingdom is sometimes
referred to as the “Land of
the Two Holy Mosques”
as it is home to Mecca and
Medinah, the two holiest
cities in Islam. Yet the
nation’s beginnings can be
traced back to 1902 when
captured the city of Riyadh.
Though the official
proclamation and recognition
of the nation didn’t come
until 1932. Traces of national
Origins however can be traced
all the way back to 1744, with
the establishment of the First
Saudi State. The current ruler
is King Abd Al-Aziz Al- Saud.
History
Saudi Arabia is considered the homeland of the Arab peoples. It is widely believed that the
first Arabs originated on the Arabian Peninsula. It is also the birth place of Islam, the
worlds second largest religion. Muhammad, known as the creator of Islam, ascended
from the peninsula. The area was dominated by the Ottoman Empire by 1517, yet by
the 18th century it was divided up into several principalities. Yet in 1745 Muhammad ibn
‘Abd al-Wahhab began to call for the purification and reform of Islam. The movement
swept across Arabia and by 1811, Wahhabi leaders had successfully waged a jihad
against other forms of Islam on the peninsula uniting much of Arabia. However by
1818, the Wahhabis had been driven out of power by the Ottomans and their Egyptian
allies. Once again, the Wahhabi movement would arise. King Abdul-Aziz bin Saud (18821953), a descendent of Wahhabi leaders, seized Riyadh in 1902. He then set himself up
as leader of the Arab nationalist movement and was able to establish Wahhabi
dominance in Nejd and Hejaz in 1924-25. The Hhjaz and Nejd regions later merged to
form the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in 1932, and later incorporated Asir into the
kingdom. In 1932, it was originally an absolute monarchy ruled by Sharia. Later in 1992,
the Saudi royal family introduced the country to its first constitution, making it a
constitutional monarchy.
Government
King Abdullah is currently the head of the Saudi government. Since 1992, the nation
has also been ruled by the sons and grandsons of the first King, Abd Al-Aziz AlSaud. The Kingdom also claims the Quran as its constitution of its country, which
is governed on the basis of Islamic Law. There are no recognized political parties or
national elections. The kings powers are slightly limited as he must retain the
consensus of the Saudi Royal Family, ulema (religious leaders), and other
important members of Saudi society. Since 1953, the Council of Ministers,
appointed by the King, have been created to advise on the formation of general
policy and also to help direct the activities of the bureaucracy. The council consists
of a prime minister, first prime minister and twenty ministers. Legislation is
conducted by the Council of Ministers, ratified by royal decree and must be in
accordance with Sharia. Judges are also appointed by the king to the Supreme
Judicial Council, composed of 12 senior jurists. Independence of the Judiciary is
protected by law, as the King does act as the highest form of appeal, and has the
power to pardon.
Islamic Law
The country is governed by a much different
set of rules much of the world is used to .
Criminal cases are tired under Sharia
courts, which exercise authority over the
entire population including foreigners
regardless of religion. Their judiciary
system is much more severe in their
punishments as capital or corporal
punishment including amputations for
crimes such as murder, robbery, and rape.
There are less severe punishments such as
flogging for crimes such as drunkenness
and other forms of public immorality.
Crime is taken very seriously as
punishments are harsh and many times
permanent, as in this case as a marijuana
smuggler is beheaded.
Interesting Facts
• It is believed the tomb of Eve is located in Jeddah.
• “The Cradle of Gold,” located 200 miles from Jeddah was once
the greatest gold mine of all of Africa and the Middle East.
• Prince Sultan Ibn Salman, became the 1st Arab Muslim to fly
into space.
• Mecca, was the birthplace of the Prophet Mohammed, the
creator of Islam