Saudi Arabia

 

Ok this week we are looking at Saudi Arabia, officially the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, is a country in West Asia. Located in the centre of the Middle East, it covers the bulk of the Arabian Peninsula and has a land area of about.

The country was established in 1932 by King Abdulaziz Al-Saud, its transformation has been astonishing. In a few short decades, the Kingdom has turned itself from a desert nation to a modern, sophisticated state and a major player on the international stage.

In 1932, the two kingdoms of the Hejaz and Najd were united as the "Kingdom of Saudi Arabia". Boundaries with Transjordan, Mandatory Iraq, and Kuwait were established by a series of treaties negotiated in the 1920s, with two "neutral zones" created, one with Iraq and the other with Kuwait.

The capital is Riyadh and is the main financial hub, it is on a desert plateau in the country’s centre. The business district landmarks include the 302m-high Kingdom Centre, with a sky bridge connecting 2 towers, and 267m-high Al Faisaliah Centre, with a glass-globe summit.

The currency is the Saudi Riyal and has been since the country was first established.

The flag is green with a white Arabic inscription and a sword. The inscription is the Islamic creed, or shahada, which translates to "There is no deity but God; Muhammad is the Messenger of God". The current design has been used since 1973.

The colour of Islam is green, the sword represents the strictness in applying justice and the shahada is the central symbolic design of the flag. The flag must always be represented so that the inscription reads correctly on both sides. The flag is never to be flown vertically or at half-mast due to its religious symbolism.

The inscription is the Islamic creed, or shahada: "There is no deity but God; Muhammad is the Messenger of God". The current design has been used by the government of Saudi Arabia since 15 March 1973.

As of February 2025, the population of Saudi Arabia is 37.47 million.

The official language is Arabic. The three main regional variants spoken by Saudis are: Najdi Arabic - about 14.6 million speakers. Hejazi Arabic - also known as Hijazi Arabic & West Arabian Arabic - about 10.3 million speakers.

The official religion of Saudi Arabia is Islam, and the country is considered an Islamic state. The majority of Saudi citizens are Sunni Muslim, with a Shia minority. 

When it comes to religious freedom there isn’t any, the Saudi government does not provide for freedom of religion under the law. However, the government generally permits Shia religious gatherings and non-Muslim private religious practices. 

The country's constitution is the Quran and Sunna, which are traditions and practices based on the life of the Prophet Muhammad. 

The legal system is based on sharia, which is Islamic law. 

The government does not allow public worship of any religion other than Islam. 

The government does not allow public display of non-Islamic religious symbols. 

The government criminalizes proselytizing by non-Muslims. 

Shia Muslims make up about 10–12% of the citizen population. 

The majority of remaining Shia are Sulaimani Ismailis, also known as “Seveners”. 

Pockets of Zaydis, another branch of Shia Islam, live in the provinces of Jizan and Najran. 

Saudi Arabia has made progress in improving women's rights, but discrimination still exists. 

Recent improvements are the following, women can apply for passports, travel abroad, and register marriages and divorces without a male guardian's permission. 

Women can register as co-heads of households and live independently from their husbands 

Women can join the senior ranks of the military 

Women can change their personal data without a guardian's permission 

Women can register to perform the Hajj without being accompanied by a mahram 

Women can vote and run in municipal elections 

Female athletes can participate in the Olympics 

There are still other challenges to overcome such as.

 

Women still face discrimination in law and practice, including in matters of marriage, divorce, child custody, and inheritance 

The Personal Status Law (PSL) codifies male guardianship, which can prevent women from fully consenting to marriage 

Many Saudi women still cover their faces or hair in public even though they are not required to wear a hijab or abaya in public. However, the government does encourage modest dress for both men and women.

When it comes to visiting the country both Australia and The States advise reconsidering travel to Saudi Arabia due to the threat of missile and drone attacks. Also, the country is a target for radical Islamic terror groups. There are also human rights abuses, cultural sensitivities, and government surveillance concerns.