Analysis of information sources in references of the Wikipedia article "Islam in Saudi Arabia" in English language version.
'home of Islam' as the 1930s geopolitical construct of Saudi Arabia is ... referred to "
An apparently impregnable, westernizing autocrat, smiled on by America, with a huge army, an efficient secret police, and burgeoning oil revenues, had been brought down without a serious shot being fired—all the Shah's modernization had proved helpless against the supposedly outmoded power of religion
Most people of Asir are deeply pious and know by heart a particular Hadith … to the effect that the final triumph of Islam will be brought about by the people of southern Arabia. However, historically even the stricter preachers among them have not been Wahhabis. The fact that many in Asir followed the local leader, Idris, and revered him as a saint, should in and of itself guard against any characterization, since of course, Wahhabism does not recognize such concepts of sainthood.
... the modern Saudi state had treated the members of its Shia community as second-class citizens. Out on the oil rigs, Shia made up the drilling gangs, but usually worked to the orders of a Sunni foreman. There were at that time no Shia diplomats in the Saudi foreign service, no Shia pilots in the national airline—and certainly none in the air force. They could not become head teachers or even deputy heads in local schools, where, if they did teach, they were expected to follow a syllabus that scornfully denigrated Shia history and beliefs. Local zoning rules even banned them from building dens or basement areas beneath their homes, for fear they might use them as secret husayniyas for subversive worship and for their alleged sexual congresses.
al-Saud historically based their right to rule largely on Isolamic legitimacy....
Today, the 'alliance' between the regime and official clergy is much contested by dissidents because the parties no longer serve as 'checks' on each other. The official clergy are said to be dependent upon the al-Saud for their existence. They regularly issue fatwas ... that justify the policies of the al-Saud in Islamic volcabulary, even when such policies are deplored by the people.
The first two Saudi rulers were referred to as Amir, meaning commander, prince. After them, the term imam came into use for the ruler, and it is applied retrospectively to the first two rulers. Use of the title imam, implying as it does that the holder of the office is legitimate under the fiqh theory of the imamate, was proper given Wahhabi endorsement of Ibn Taymiyya's lenient position as to religious suitability for that office.
Saudi Arabia is a glaring example of religious apartheid. The religious institutions from government clerics to judges, to religious curriculum, and all religious instructions in media are restricted to the Wahhabi understanding of Islam, adhered to by less than 40% of the population.
Wahhabis desire to see unity in issues of faith and conformity in areas of practice. In their view, outward appearances and expressions are directly connected to one's inward state. In other words, clothing styles, mannerisms, and specific actions prove whether or not one is a "true" Muslim.
One striking example of Wahhabism's outward influence on Saudi society is the widespread uniformity of men and women's apparel. In other parts of the Middle East, you will find a mix of traditional and modern clothing styles. You will also discover great variety among those who sport time-honored robes, headdresses, and veils. But in Wahhabist Saudi Arabia, nearly everyone dresses the same.
For women, a long black head covering (concealing all but the eyes) flows over a loose-fitting black outer garment that covers the entire body. This ensemble is usually accompanied by black gloves and sunglasses, covering any remaining skin. For men, a red-and-white checkered headdress (sometimes exchanged for an all-white head covering) is neatly creased at the front and held in place by two black camel-hair rings.
When King Abdullah's father Ibn Saud founded Saudi Arabia in 1932, he came to a non-negotiable agreement with the Wahhabi religious establishment that, in return for allowing it control of the mosques, culture, and education, they would never go near core political issues, such as royal succession, foreign policy, and the armed forces. It's a deal that's been more or less respected for the last 80 years.
This is, after all, the birthplace of Muhammad and of the Arabic language, the locus of Muslim holy cities, the root of tribal Arab trees, and also, historically, a last redoubt against foreign incursions into Arab and Muslim lands. The kingdom is in many ways a unique experiment. It is the only modern Muslim state to have been created by jihad,[10] the only one to claim the Koran as its constitution, and [the only Arab-]Muslim countries to have escaped European imperialism.
Each year, the religious police mobilise ahead of 14 February and descend on gift and flower shops, confiscating all red items, including flowers.
... although no more than 40 percent of Saudi subjects, at the most, consider themselves Wahhabis, the Wahhabi clergy has controlled education in the kingdom ...
This is, after all, the birthplace of Muhammad and of the Arabic language, the locus of Muslim holy cities, the root of tribal Arab trees, and also, historically, a last redoubt against foreign incursions into Arab and Muslim lands. The kingdom is in many ways a unique experiment. It is the only modern Muslim state to have been created by jihad,[10] the only one to claim the Koran as its constitution, and [the only Arab-]Muslim countries to have escaped European imperialism.
Saudi Arabia is a glaring example of religious apartheid. The religious institutions from government clerics to judges, to religious curriculum, and all religious instructions in media are restricted to the Wahhabi understanding of Islam, adhered to by less than 40% of the population.
... although no more than 40 percent of Saudi subjects, at the most, consider themselves Wahhabis, the Wahhabi clergy has controlled education in the kingdom ...
al-Saud historically based their right to rule largely on Isolamic legitimacy....
Today, the 'alliance' between the regime and official clergy is much contested by dissidents because the parties no longer serve as 'checks' on each other. The official clergy are said to be dependent upon the al-Saud for their existence. They regularly issue fatwas ... that justify the policies of the al-Saud in Islamic volcabulary, even when such policies are deplored by the people.
When King Abdullah's father Ibn Saud founded Saudi Arabia in 1932, he came to a non-negotiable agreement with the Wahhabi religious establishment that, in return for allowing it control of the mosques, culture, and education, they would never go near core political issues, such as royal succession, foreign policy, and the armed forces. It's a deal that's been more or less respected for the last 80 years.
The first two Saudi rulers were referred to as Amir, meaning commander, prince. After them, the term imam came into use for the ruler, and it is applied retrospectively to the first two rulers. Use of the title imam, implying as it does that the holder of the office is legitimate under the fiqh theory of the imamate, was proper given Wahhabi endorsement of Ibn Taymiyya's lenient position as to religious suitability for that office.
Wahhabis desire to see unity in issues of faith and conformity in areas of practice. In their view, outward appearances and expressions are directly connected to one's inward state. In other words, clothing styles, mannerisms, and specific actions prove whether or not one is a "true" Muslim.
One striking example of Wahhabism's outward influence on Saudi society is the widespread uniformity of men and women's apparel. In other parts of the Middle East, you will find a mix of traditional and modern clothing styles. You will also discover great variety among those who sport time-honored robes, headdresses, and veils. But in Wahhabist Saudi Arabia, nearly everyone dresses the same.
For women, a long black head covering (concealing all but the eyes) flows over a loose-fitting black outer garment that covers the entire body. This ensemble is usually accompanied by black gloves and sunglasses, covering any remaining skin. For men, a red-and-white checkered headdress (sometimes exchanged for an all-white head covering) is neatly creased at the front and held in place by two black camel-hair rings.
Each year, the religious police mobilise ahead of 14 February and descend on gift and flower shops, confiscating all red items, including flowers.
