FINAL PAPER

Extending across most of the northern and central Arabian Peninsula, Saudi Arabia is a young country that is heir to a rich history. Most of that history is religious based everything from how the country was formed. Its political system, the economy, and it's even present in Saudi Arabian culture. This paper will examine how religion affects each aspect of Saudi Arabia.

The region of the world that Saudi Arabia is in has an ancient and religious history. Saudi Arabia has been in three major states. The first state was formed in 1744 when Muhammad bin Saud and Imam Muhammad bin Abdul Wahhab basically decided they wanted to form a new political and religious entity (AKA a new country).(1) they realized that each of them wanted to see the same thing. They wanted to see all Arab people brought back to Islam, likely for religious reasons. The pact that these two men have has lasted to this day even through many political and cultural changes. (1) Unfortunately in 1818 the Ottoman Empire re-conquered the area. After a rebuilding period the royal family of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, referred to as the House of Saud, returned to power by re-establishing their authority in the city of Nejd.(2) This historical hiccup was the formation of the second Saudi state. The second Saudi state was smaller in land compared to the first. Leaders were less concerned with territorial expansion due to conflicts within the royal Saudi family. The end of the second Saudi state is marked by the battle of Mulayda in 1891. The Third and current Saudi state was founded by the late King Ibn Saud of Saudi Arabia. In its present state The Kingdom occupies about 80 percent of the Arabian Peninsula. A significant length of the country's southern borders with the United Arab Emirates and Oman are not precisely defined or marked, so the exact size of the country remains unknown. It is however commonly listed as the 14th largest country. (3)

The political system in Saudi Arabia is an absolute monarchy which means there is a king that is both head of state and head of government. This is vastly different form the democracy that we have in the USA. Despite there being a single ruler many of the decisions are made by consulting the senior princes with the king having a final say. Saudi Arabia has declared the Qur’an as its official constitution. This type of constitution makes it hard for the country to adopt new rules the way amendments do for our constitution. Saudi Arabia had no history of electoral government until February 2005, when, in an election open only to male voters age 21 and older, Saudi citizens cast votes to select one-half the members of the municipal councils. This was the first time in Saudi history that a public vote was held. It represented a huge step away from the monarchy that the country has. Nevertheless, out of a population of nearly 27 million, only about 3 million (males only) are eligible to vote. Women do not yet have the right to vote. (4) The voting however is different than it would be here because political parties are illegal in Saudi Arabia instead they have distinct political divisions. The ulama, a large and powerful group of religious leaders, perhaps numbering 10,000, ensure that the king observes Islamic law over all else. This ensures that the king does not get out of line with his powers. (5) Recently in February of last year the current Abdullah appointed the first woman to a ministerial post. Norah al-Fayez was named the new deputy education minister for women's education.

"This is a successful step. We've always suffered from having a man occupy the position" overseeing women's education, the English-language Arab News newspaper quoted her as saying…A woman knows what problems and challenges her peers face. It's a change for the better," she said.

Saudi Arabia’s culture has hampered the promotion of women to top jobs in the kingdom. Offices and businesses, such as banks, are required to have completely separate facilities for female workers. So Fayez's appointment to the job is widely seen as a major breakthrough. (6)

Saudi Arabia has an oil-based economy with strong government control over major economic activities. Saudi Arabia possesses 25% of the world's proven petroleum reserves, and ranks as the largest exporter of petroleum. About one third of the countries budget revenue comes from oil. Oil is also their main export it accounts for 90% of the country’s trade goods. (7) During the seventies Saudi Arabia’s economy was growing extremely rapidly due to the oil boom that was being experienced around the world. They saw a GDP (gross domestic product) increase of almost 2000%! However this economic bubble was unsustainable and in the eighties the country’s GDP shrank by more than half. The countries ability to get its economy to become less dependent on oil has given new life to their economy. Non-oil manufacturing now contributes around 10% of Saudi Arabia’s GDP. Through 5-year plans the country has tried to turn its oil-based economy into that of a modern industrial state while maintaining the kingdom's traditional Islamic values and customs. Saudi Arabia is currently constructing six “economic cities” the most known of which is King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC). (8) These cities are meant to diversify the country and are expected to increase the per capita income. KAEC has announced that the per capita income is forecast, to rise from $15,000 in 2006 to $33,500 in 2020. (8) Despite the economic growth a significant amount of the work force in Saudi Arabia is still foreign workers.

The cultural setting of Saudi Arabia is Arab and Muslim. Many proscriptions of behavior and dress are enforced. Alcoholic beverages are prohibited, for example. Saudi Arabian dress is very strict it follows the Islamic principle of modesty known as Hijab. The garments are generally loose and flowing which make them suitable for the desert climate. Women are required to wear modest covering clothing when in public. (9) The women’s role in Saudi society differs substantially from that of men. For example, all women, regardless of age, are required to have a male guardian. (10) All women, regardless of age, are required to have a male guardian. In some cases the guardian is a younger brother sometimes even under the age of twenty who is responsible for the decision making of a female with a PhD. Women cannot vote or be elected to high political positions. It is the only country in the world that prohibits women from driving. The World Economic Forum 2009 Global Gender Gap Report ranked Saudi Arabia 130th out of 134 countries for gender parity. It was the only country to score a zero in the category of political empowerment. (11) Women's rights in Saudi Arabia are defined by Islam and tribal customs. Islamic law is based on the Qur'an and teachings of Muhammad. In Saudi culture, Islamic law is interpreted very strictly. The law is mostly unwritten, leaving judges with significant discretionary power which they usually exercise in favor of tribal customs. The variation of interpretation often leads to controversy. (12) Things like driving are not mentioned in the Qur’an so officials tend to lead towards modesty when confronted with issues like this Hence the driving ban for women. There is evidence that many women in Saudi Arabia do not want radical change. Even many advocates of reform reject Western critics, for "failing to understand the uniqueness of Saudi society.” Journalist Maha Akeel is a frequent critic of her country's patriarchal customs. Nonetheless, she agrees that Westerners criticize what they do not understand. "Look, we are not asking for ... women's rights according to Western values or lifestyles ... We want things according to what Islam says. Look at our history, our role models.”

The people of Saudi Arabia are very traditional and eat the same foods they have eaten for centuries. The average meal of nomads who remain in Saudi Arabia is much simpler than that of the urban Saudis who make up the majority of Saudi Arabia's population. However, the basic ingredients are the same: fava beans, wheat, rice, yogurt, dates, and chicken are common foods for all Saudis. Saudi Arabia has over 18 million date palms that produce 600 million pounds of dates each year. They are also the largest consumer of broiler chickens. (13) Saudis are strict Muslims and, following Islamic law, do not eat pork or drink alcohol. According to Islamic law, animals must be butchered in a particular way and blessed before they can be eaten, so Saudi Arabia is the world's largest importer of live sheep. (13) Flat bread is also commonly included in a meal and can even be used as a sort of edible utensil for scooping the food. Most Saudi holiday meals include thick soups, stuffed vegetables, bean salads or tabbouleh (a salad made with bulgur wheat), hummus, rice, and the flat bread. Dates, raisins, and nuts are served as appetizers or snacks, and sweet desserts finish off the meal. Rugs are laid out on the floor and dishes of food are placed on them. People sit cross-legged on the floor around the rugs and eat with their fingers or the flat bread. Following Islamic law, only the right hand is used for eating, as the left hand is considered "unclean" because it is used for personal hygiene. All the food is shared rather than each person have a dish to themselves. Before the meal hands are ritually washed, in accordance with Islamic law. This ritualistic washing is then repeated when the meal is finished. (13)
Sports in Saudi Arabia in Asia include traditional as well as modern sports. Football in Saudi Arabia is very popular. It is now considered to be the national game of the country. From 1984 Football in Saudi Arabia became much more popular. The national football team participated in the Olympics for the first time. After this there was no looking back. The national football team qualified for the Asia cup five times. The team’s greatest achievement was their participation in the FIFA World Cup In 1994. (14) They placed second in their group and tied Belgium in points but were passed up because they had allowed more goals. The Saudi Arabian Football Federation had formed the National Football Team. (14) The Saudi Arabian football fans have nicknamed the team 'Sons of the Desert' or the 'Green Falcons'. The highest scoring national player is Majed Abdullah. Their goalkeeper, Mohamed Al-Deayea, is a record holder for the most number of international appearances by a male player. Soccer has now become common in all parts of Saudi Arabia. Apart from Football in Saudi Arabia another modern game that has found popularity is Golf. Traditional games of Saudi Arabia are also played. Camel Racing is a unique and spectacular sport. Falconry is practiced by some.

It seems hard to realize that a country that we hear so much about in the news has such a rich and divers background with almost every part of the countries politics culture and lifestyle steaming from a deeply sacred religious background. It is so vastly different from the separation of church and state that we have in the US. It helps to clarify why Saudi customs are they way they are. It’s amazing how the same core values can be held onto for such a long time.

WORK CITED

1. saudi arabia. EARLY HISTORY OF THE HOUSE OF SAUD. Panarc International, Web. 14 Dec 2010. .

2. Alexei Vassiliev, The History of Saudi Arabia, London, UK: Al Saqi Books, 1998, p. 185

3. United States. Country Comparison : Area. , 2010. Web. 15 Dec 2010. .

4. Library of Congress. COUNTRY PROFILE: SAUDI ARABIA, USA. Sept. 2006, p. 4

5. The Saudi Network, http://www.the-saudi.net/saudi-arabia/government.htm, Web. 14 Dec. 2010

6. Savitha, . "Norah Al-Fayez Breaks Proverbial Glass Ceiling." Media India. (2009): 1-2. Print.

7. Saudi Arabia facts and figures. OPEC, 2010. Web. 14 Dec 2010. .

8. Gimbel, Barney. "Going Beyond Oil." CNN money. Time Warner, 12-8-2008. Web. 14 Dec 2010. .

9. "Saudi Arabia." Encyclopedia Britannica. 2010. Encyclopedia Britannica Online. 14 Dec. 2010 .

10. AL-MOHAMED, ASMAA. "Saudi Women’s Rights Stuck at a Red Light." Al Arabiya (2007): 2-4. Web. 14 Dec 2010. .

11. Hausmann, Ricardo. The Global Gender Gap Report 2009. 1st. Geneva : World Economic Forum, 2009. Print.

12. "Mission of Saudi Arabia." PROMOTION AND PROTECTION OF ALL HUMAN RIGHTS, CIVIL, POLITICAL, ECONOMIC, SOCIAL AND CULTURAL RIGHTS, INCLUDING THE RIGHT TO DEVELOPMENT. Yakin Ertürk: 2008. Web. 15 Dec 2010. .

13. "Food in Saudi Arabia". Food in Every Country (website). Accessed Dec 2010.

14. “1994 FIFA World Cup USA Results”. Fifa World Cup (website). Accessed Dec 2010.

second interview evaluations

for the second interview i think hequi did the best on the second interview there is and enormous amount of detail put into the blog and it looks very up to date. i like the colors used for the layout and i really enjoyed the pictures used during the country report.

the report was well thought out and did not look like it was simply copy and pasted from another website. i also liked how in depth the country report was it covered a wide range of topics even the education structure of the country at the bottom sources are given in a neat format and they are good reliable sources.

what really made this interview stand out was the preparations she did for the interview. instead of using a friend or someone she already knew he went out of his way to make a new friend and asked that person to be her interviewee. in turn he was able to help another student complete an assignment for his class as well. when he found a student in the library and told him about the assignment he was asked in return to be an interviewee for this person to complete work for their class.

he was also able to make his interviewee comfortable by telling them that he would try his best to avoid sensitive topics and that he wanted to learn about the culture of somalia. the only thing i would recommend to make this blog better would be if the transcription was color coded. at times it gets hard to find where one question ends and an answer begins. changing the color of one persons words could help remedy this situation quite easily

results for interview 3

i think that hailey E. had the best interview. first off i like the way her blog is set up one of the biggest turn off for me while reading all the interview was when it was hard for me to distinguish what person said what. in haileys blog she highlighted her questions in red which gave a nice contrast to the black letters of the answers. secondly i like how at one point during the interview she takes a hold of the conversation and asks her interviewee if he had any questions for her this simply question opened up a whole new area of interest during her interview. that is why i believe she had the best interview.

I liked how she used the mock interview in class to gain some inspiration into what she wanted to do for her interviews. i think by using the interviews in class she was able to see what kinds of things worked during an interview process and what things would lead to your interviewee becoming uncomfortable and giving short answers. i also liked that we were shown proper technique in class this helped me during my interview process.

i also admired how she did not stick strictly to the interview questions. if the conversation brought up something she was interested in she asked about it. she strayed from the questions like this a few times and i think it made for a better interview and it was defiantly more interesting to read because of it.
 i know she didnt have a country report but shes really cute so i figured i would forgive this 

Final paper idea and outline

my final project is going to be an extended country report on saudi arabia.

OUTLINE-

intro

I. go over the history and how the country was formed

II. politics  
     A. government
     B. law


III. economy
     A. development
     B. us support

IV. culture
      A. dress
      B. food
      C. religion
  
V. education system

VI. sports

conclusion

Prep for the third interview.

For my third interview I chose to ask my friend Mohommad if he would be willing to be my interviewee I had already met Mohommad at a party last year so we knew each other. I asked him to meet me in atwood on a Saturday so that there would be less distractioins for us both. He agreed and we set a time. I brought him over and explaind that I was going to record our conversation so I could typ it up later he said that would be ok. I gave him a list of the questions to look at and we started the interview.

Transcription of the third interview.

Tell me a little about yourself and your home

My name is Mohammad I am from Saudi Arabia from the capital city…

What’s the name of the capital?

It’s called Riyadh…I have three brothers and one sister and I am in the middle

How is the education system in Saudi Arabia?

Here is better back home they teach us and we have to do what they did the same way otherwise it is wrong here there is more freedom to be creative.

Are the grade separations the same like first second third?

Yes yes they are the same as here

Did you come straight here after high school?

No I got a degree in Saudi Arabia first

In what

Electrical engineering then I took a one year English class and then moved here to st cloud

What are you studying here?

Electrical engineering I want to get a bachelor degree

Any difference in how a man and a woman contact each other

Yes. A woman cannot come with a man unless they are family it is religion based so they don’t allow a man and woman to be alone together

What are weddings like?

It depends where you are from if you’re from the cities then it’s very much like it is here but if you are from the small villages the weddings last much longer. And no alcohol is allowed

What do they wear?

They wear the Saudi custom and the woman wears a dress like here

What are some religious or cultural customs?

Men are allowed to wear whatever they like where a woman must cover herself.

Do you have different rules of eye contact or body language?

Yes like I said before a man and woman are not allowed to be alone together or touch in ways that could be inappropriate

What is your favorite music?

I like hip hop music the kind they play on the radio

Do you think your sibling would like coming here?

No I think they are still too young and they would not enjoy it like I do

Do you have any questions for me?

No.

Country report.

Saudi Arabia occupies most of the Arabian Peninsula, with the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aqaba to the west and the Persian Gulf to the east. Neighboring countries are Jordan, Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, the Sultanate of Oman, Yemen, and Bahrain, connected to the Saudi mainland by a causeway. Saudi Arabia contains the world's largest continuous sand desert, the Rub Al-Khali, or Empty Quarter. Its oil region lies primarily in the eastern province along the Persian Gulf.

Government

Saudi Arabia was an absolute monarchy until 1992, at which time the Saud royal family introduced the country's first constitution. The legal system is based on the sharia (Islamic law).

History

Saudi Arabia is not only the homeland of the Arab peoples—it is thought that the first Arabs originated on the Arabian Peninsula—but also the homeland of Islam, the world's second-largest religion. Muhammad founded Islam there, and it is the location of the two holy pilgrimage cities of Mecca and Medina. The Islamic calendar begins in 622, the year of the hegira, or Muhammad's flight from Mecca. A succession of invaders attempted to control the peninsula, but by 1517 the Ottoman Empire dominated, and in the middle of the 18th century, it was divided into separate principalities. In 1745 Muhammad ibn 'Abd al-Wahhab began calling for the purification and reform of Islam, and the Wahhabi movement swept across Arabia. By 1811, Wahhabi leaders had waged a jihad—a holy war—against other forms of Islam on the peninsula and succeeded in uniting much of it. By 1818, however, the Wahhabis had been driven out of power again by the Ottomans and their Egyptian allies.

The kingdom of Saudi Arabia is almost entirely the creation of King Ibn Saud (1882–1953). A descendant of Wahhabi leaders, he seized Riyadh in 1901 and set himself up as leader of the Arab nationalist movement. By 1906 he had established Wahhabi dominance in Nejd and conquered Hejaz in 1924–1925. The Hejaz and Nejd regions were merged to form the kingdom of Saudi Arabia in 1932, which was an absolute monarchy ruled by sharia. A year later the region of Asir was incorporated into the kingdom.

interview evaluations

spread sheet