ALL ABOUT SAUDI ARABIA, A TRULY FASCINATING COUNTRY: One of the most insular countries in the Middle East, Saudi Arabia has emerged from being an underdeveloped desert kingdom to become one of the wealthiest nations in the region thanks to vast oil resources. But its rulers face the delicate task of responding to pressure for reform while combating extremist violence. Named after the ruling Al Saud family, which came to power in the 18th century, the country includes the Hijaz region - the birthplace of the Muslim Prophet Muhammad and the cradle of Islam. This fact, combined with the Al Sauds espousal of a strict interpretation of Sunni Islam known as Wahhabism, has led it to develop a strongly religious self-identity. Saudi women live under a wide range of restrictions, from dress to driving. Saudi Arabia was established in 1932 by King Abd-al-Aziz - known as the Lion of Najd - who took over Hijaz from the Hashemite family and united the country under his familys rule. Since his death in 1953, he has been succeeded by various sons. The Al Saud dynastys monopoly of power meant that during the 20th century successive kings were able to concentrate on modernization and on developing the countrys role as a regional power. It has always been in the ruling familys interests to preserve stability in the region and to clamp down on extremist elements. To this end, it welcomed the stationing of US troops in the country after Iraqs invasion of Kuwait in 1990. At a glance: Politics: The Al Saud dynasty holds a monopoly of power; political parties are banned and the opposition is organized from abroad; militant Islamists have launched several deadly attacks. Economy: Saudi Arabia is the worlds dominant oil producer and owner of the largest hydrocarbon reserves; rapidly growing unemployment is a major challenge. International: Saudi Arabia is one of the main players in the Arab and Muslim worlds; its stature is built on its geographic size, its prestige as the custodian of the birthplace of Islam and status as major oil producer. But the leaderships refusal to tolerate any kind of opposition may have encouraged the growth of dissident groups such as Osama Bin Ladens al-Qaeda, which benefited from popular resentment against the role of the US in the Middle East. Members of the large Shia minority, who form a majority in oil-rich Eastern Province, have become increasingly vocal in their demands for civil rights. After the terrorist attacks on New York and Washington of 11 September 2001 - carried out mainly by Saudi nationals - the Saudi authorities were further torn between their natural instincts to step up internal security and pressure to allow a greater degree of democracy. In 2003 suicide bombers suspected of having links with al-Qaeda killed 35 people - including a number of foreigners - in the capital Riyadh. Some Saudis referred to the attacks as their own 9/11. The targets of other militant attacks have included foreign workers. The security forces have made thousands of arrests. Demands for political reform have increased. Municipal elections in 2005 were a first, limited exercise in democracy. But political parties are banned - the opposition is organized from outside the country - and activists who publicly broach the subject of reform risk being jailed. Calls for social change are on the rise, too. Activists for womens rights have become more vocal, focusing on practical campaigns such as the right to drive. Social media users are also testing the limits of freedom of expression. Saudi Arabia sits on more than 25% of the worlds known oil reserves. It is capable of producing more than 10 million barrels per day; that figure is set to rise. Source: BBC
Posted on: Sat, 01 Feb 2014 16:27:43 +0000
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