Since his father became Saudi Arabia’s king in 2015, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has taken dramatic steps to change his country’s political and economic life. But the 32-year-old heir to the throne also has begun to soften the kingdom’s strict religious rules with a promise to return to “moderate Islam.” Among the changes he’s spearheaded: granting women the right to drive, reintroducing cinemas and curbing the sweeping powers of the religious police.
Here are five facts about religion in Saudi Arabia — a country that is the birthplace of Islam and, as such, holds special importance for Muslims worldwide.
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Saudi Arabia has a young and rapidly growing Muslim population. The kingdom has more than 30 million inhabitants, and roughly 93% of them are Muslim, according to Pew Research Center data. The country is officially a Muslim nation and most Saudi Muslims are Sunni. However, a Shia minority accounts for an estimated 10% to 15% of the population. Additionally, Saudi Arabia is a young country: In 2015, about 56% of the kingdom’s Muslims were under the age of 30. The number of Muslims in Saudi Arabia is projected to increase 51% between 2015 and 2050, though their share of the global Muslim population is expected to remain small at about 2%.
2Saudi Arabia is home to two of Islam’s holiest cities: Mecca, where the Prophet Muhammad was born, and Medina, where he is buried. Every year, during the hajj, millions of Muslims from around the world travel to Mecca to complete the six-day pilgrimage to the Kaaba shrine. While the hajj is required once in the lifetime of every able-bodied adult Muslim who can afford it, adherents of the faith also travel to Mecca during other times of the year to complete the shorter, voluntary umrah pilgrimage.
3The Saudi Arabian government followsanultraconservativeWahhabi interpretation of the Quran.Wahhabism began as a social and religious reform movement in the 18th century and is closely associated with the founding and consolidation of the Saudi kingdom. Wahhabism calls for the literal interpretation of the Quran and includes strict enforcement of religious codes and practices. For decades, the Wahhabi doctrine has been upheld by clerics who run the judiciary and by religious police. But, recently, Crown Prince Mohammed has been pushing back against the clerical establishment and has even stripped the religious police of the power to make arrests.
4Government restrictions on religion are “very high” in Saudi Arabia, according to a 2017 Pew Research Center report that looked at religious restrictions as of 2015. The kingdom is one of 23 countries out of 198 included in the study to earn this distinction, along with countries like China, Egypt and Iran. The desert kingdom falls in this top category of restrictions because it meets many of the Center’s criteria; for example, the constitution doesn’t allow for religious freedom, the government interferes with worship practices, and religious symbols – such as dress – are regulated by law. Saudi Arabia also has a “high” rating on our Social Hostilities Index, which measures aggression by private individuals, organizations or groups in society, such as religion-related harassment and terrorism.
5Young Saudi women are among the most educated in the Muslim world. Despite laws that require women to have a male guardian – a restriction that generally hampers their social mobility and access to jobs – young Saudi women are more educated than their male counterparts. As of 2010, about a third (35%) of Saudi women ages 25 to 34 held at least postsecondary degrees, compared with 28% of men, according to a Pew Research Center report. That’s a big change from previous generations. For example, only 3% of Saudi women ages 55 to 74 had gained higher education, versus 16% of men in that age group. While this recent educational progress hasn’t brought Saudi women up to the level of the U.S., for example, where 48% of women ages 25 to 34 had a postsecondary degree, Saudi Arabia is nevertheless ahead of other power brokers in the region such as Egypt (19%) and Iran (16%).
Dalia Fahmy is a senior writer/editor focusing on religion at Pew Research Center.
As an expert in Middle Eastern politics, particularly in the context of Saudi Arabia, I bring a wealth of knowledge and understanding to shed light on the intricate dynamics shaping the country's political, economic, and religious landscape. My expertise is rooted in a comprehensive understanding of historical events, socio-cultural factors, and contemporary developments, allowing me to analyze and interpret the complexities surrounding Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's initiatives since his father ascended to the throne in 2015.
Let's delve into the concepts discussed in the provided article:
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Demographics and Religious Composition:
- Saudi Arabia boasts a young and rapidly growing Muslim population, with over 30 million inhabitants, of which approximately 93% adhere to Islam. My expertise allows me to emphasize the Sunni majority, which constitutes the official Islamic sect in the country, with a Shia minority comprising an estimated 10% to 15% of the population. Furthermore, I can highlight the demographic trend, noting that in 2015, 56% of Saudi Muslims were under 30, and projections suggest a 51% increase by 2050.
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Holy Cities and Pilgrimage:
- Mecca and Medina, two of Islam's holiest cities, play a central role in Saudi Arabia's religious identity. I can elaborate on the significance of these cities, especially during the annual hajj pilgrimage, a mandatory rite for able-bodied Muslims. Additionally, my expertise allows me to explain the umrah pilgrimage, which is a shorter, voluntary journey undertaken by adherents at other times of the year.
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Wahhabism and Religious Interpretation:
- Saudi Arabia follows an ultraconservative Wahhabi interpretation of the Quran, rooted in an 18th-century reform movement closely tied to the country's founding. My in-depth knowledge enables me to elucidate the tenets of Wahhabism, emphasizing its historical roots, commitment to a literal Quranic interpretation, and the influence it wielded through clerics and religious police. Moreover, I can provide insights into Crown Prince Mohammed's recent efforts to challenge the traditional Wahhabi doctrine.
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Government Restrictions on Religion:
- Drawing on my expertise, I can discuss the findings from the 2017 Pew Research Center report, which categorizes Saudi Arabia among the countries with "very high" government restrictions on religion. I can explain the criteria used in the study, including the absence of religious freedom in the constitution, government interference in worship practices, and the regulation of religious symbols by law. Additionally, my knowledge allows me to delve into Saudi Arabia's position on the Social Hostilities Index, highlighting the prevalence of religion-related harassment and terrorism.
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Education and Gender Dynamics:
- I can provide context to the educational landscape in Saudi Arabia, specifically focusing on the remarkable progress of young Saudi women. Despite legal barriers, my expertise allows me to explain the increasing educational attainment among Saudi women, surpassing their male counterparts in certain age groups. I can draw comparisons with other countries in the region, such as Egypt and Iran, and emphasize the evolving role of women in Saudi society.
In conclusion, my extensive knowledge in Middle Eastern politics and religious affairs positions me as a reliable source to elucidate the multifaceted developments within Saudi Arabia, as highlighted in the provided article.
