Transcript Saudi Arabia - LAITS Sites

Saudi Arabia: Land of Contrasts and
Contradictions
http://www.saudinf.com/main/a.htm
Created by: Janie Maldonado and Sherrie Greene
Austin Independent School District
May 2006
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Saudi Arabia: Land of Contrasts
Religious Apartheid in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia, a relatively new country (1932, has a vast wealth of contrasts and contradictions. A
typical contrast is evident here. A modern jet flies over a dirt landing strip next to an ancient
historical site. The highway sign indicates the seriousness of religious apartheid. Only Moslems
are allowed into Mecca. Other visitors are directed elsewhere.
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Saudi Arabia is the center of Islam and the Middle East. It is the birthplace of Muhammad, the Prophet of Islam. Islam
is the official religion of Saudi Arabia. The country is located approximately 30°-18° North and 35°-55° East. The
relative location of Saudi Arabia is flanked by the very important waterways of the Red Sea on the western border and
the Persian Gulf on the eastern border. There are no permanent lakes or rivers in the entire country. Because there is no
fresh water, the country must depend on desalination of sea water. Saudi Arabia also borders Egypt, Yemen, Oman,
Kuwait, Iraq, and Jordan.
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Mecca is the birthplace of Islam. Medina is where Muhammad died and the focus of the hajj. Riyadh is the capital.
Although situated between the two of the cradles of early civilization, Saudi Arabia is a vast desert mostly utilized by
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nomadic Bedouins.
Saudi Arabia is 1/3 the size of the United States.
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Muhammad
(The Prophet)
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Mecca, where Muhammad was born (570) was a trading crossroads,
where he started his public preaching in 613.
From Mecca with 200 followers, he journeyed to Medina (Yathrib)
from July – September 622.
In 632, Muhammad leads the first pilgrimage (hajj)to Mecca .
Muhammad dies in June, 632 in Medina after he declared that
he
had now fulfilled his mission on Earth.
Muhammad is buried in Medina.
With Muhammad’s death all of Arabia is united under the
banner of Islam
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The Five Pillars of Islam
Faith
Prayer
Fasting
Alms
Hajj
In a desert cave in Saudi Arabia, Allah (Islamic name for God) revealed the Five Pillars of Islam to
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Muhammad. The pillars explain the duties each Moslem must follow in life.
The Hajj
The hajj begins with a procession called the tawaf, which takes the pilgrim around the
Ka’aba seven times. Thanks to Saudi Arabia’s oil wealth, one part of Alms-giving is used
to support or fund other Moslems to come to Medina for the hajj.
The Ka’aba is a cube-shaped structure draped in a black cloth that bears a band of sacred verses
embroidered in gold and silver thread. Moslems believe that Allah sent the Black Stone from
heaven. It is the fortunate pilgrim who manages to break free from the press of the crowd and 8
kiss the Black Stone.
The Hajj
Circa early 1900s
Modern pilgrimage
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Unification of Saudi Arabia
Muhammad ibn al- Saud forms a politico-religious pact
with Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab in 1744.
 Saud is the founder of first Saudi dynasty in Arabia
( reigned from 1746 – 1765).
 Saud and Wahhab formed a pact to establish a country
based on the purification of Islamic practices from current
popular religion and an emphasis on strict monotheism
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
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Wahhabis
(Muwahhidun)
18th century reformist/revivalist movement
Determines the reliance on Qur’an (holy book of Islam) and
hadith (interpretations of the Prophet)
Rejects medieval interpretations of Islam and justice
Emphasized education and knowledge as weapons in dealing
with nonbelievers
Violent opposition to the cult of saints, idolatry, and shrine and
tomb visitations
Wahhabis are the crucial allies in the Saud conquest of lands
that became Saudi Arabia
Wahhabis enforce the excommunication of anyone who doesn’t
follow their creed exactly
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Wahhabism
“The premise of this new, narrow ideology was to
reject traditional scholars, scholarship, and practices
under the guise of "reviving the true tenets of Islam"
and protecting the concept of monotheism."
http://www.eretzyisroel.org/demo.jpg
www.eretzyisroel.org/~jkatz/wahhabism.html
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Modern Saudi Arabia
The fortunes of the Saud family rose and fell several
times as Saudi rulers contended with Egypt, the
Ottoman Empire, and other Arabian families over
control of the peninsula.
 1902- Abdul Aziz Ibn Saud captured Riyadh from the
rival Al-Rashid family
 1926 – after conquering other family rivals Abdul
became the King of Hijaz (Saudi Arabia)
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Modern Saudi Arabia cont.
1927 Abdul took the title of King of Najd
 Treaty of Jedda, May 20, 1927 – United Kingdom
recognized the independence realm of Addul Aziz’s
Kingdom of Hijaz and Najd)
 The Saudi family has maintained its role of political and
military leadership in the modern-day kingdom of
Saudi Arabia, with the descendants of Ibn Abd alWahhab continuing to serve as religious advisers.

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Coat of Arms
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saudi_Arabia
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Flag of Saudi Arabia
“There is no god but Allah Muhammad is His Prophet”
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saudi_Arabia
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Saudi Arabian Anthem
ARABIC LYRICS
ENGLISH TRANSLATION
Sarei Lil Majd Walalya
Majjedi Le Khaleg Assama
Warfai El Khaffag Akhdar
Yahmil Annoor al mosattar
Raddedy Allah Wakbar
Yamawteni Mawtenii Gad
Isht Fakhr Al Moslemeen
Aash Al Maleek Lelalam Walwatan
Hasten to glory and supremacy!
Glorify the Creator of the heavens
And raise the green, fluttering flag,
Carrying the emblem of Light!
Repeat - God is greatest!
O my country,
My country, may you always live,
The glory of all Muslims!
Long live the King,
For the flag and the country!
(Adopted 1950)
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The discovery of oil in March 1938 transformed the country economically, and has
given the kingdom great legitimacy over the years
http://ww.hrc.utexas.edu/exhibitions/online/ddd/indeedes/images/475/339.jpg
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Oil from Lucky
Seven oil well
www.westforum.sc.edu/VirtualMuseum/images/LuckySevenDrop_jpg.jpg.
“After six dry holes and after running out of almost all their money and hope, the Socal people were ready to give up their
concession in eastern Arabia. But in late February 1958 4,500 feet down, Dammam No 7 struck and within a month was producing
over 5,00 barrels a day. American oilmen were in Saudi Arabia to stay”.
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"..February 14, 2005, marks the 60th anniversary of the historic meeting between Saudi
Arabia's King Abdul Aziz and then U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt aboard the
cruiser USS Quincy at Great Bitter Lake in Egypt. These two visionary leaders forged an
enduring relationship that has weathered many challenges from the Cold War to the
terrorism we face today.."
Saudi Arabia is included in world’s decision making and problem solving.
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King Abudullah bin Abdulaziz
Greeting U.S.
Ambassador
Oberwetter and wife
in Dhahran.
Note the traditional
attire covering the
western style suit.
Visiting conjoined
twins at hospital
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President Bush and King
www.whitehouse.gov/.../ 20020425-4-2-515h.html
President George W. Bush welcomes Crown Prince Abdullah of Saudi Arabia to the Bush family ranch in
Crawford, Texas, Thursday, April 25, 2005. "The Crown Prince is going to be in America for several more
days, and officials from both our governments will be continuing our discussions with the hope that our
efforts can help return us to the path of peace -- a lasting peace," said the President in a press conference
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after the visit.
Women of Saudi Arabia
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Men in Saudi Arabia
Foreign citizens are
imported as workers.
Voting Day
Women are allowed to
vote only in some
elections.
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Flower Dance
These men are performing an ancient ritual of the Flower Dance. Notice
only men are present. As peaceful as this dance may seem, they all hold
swords.
http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.galenfrysinger.com/Photos/saudi132.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.galenfrysinger.com/flower_men_of_saudi_arabia.htm&h=504&w=331&sz=111&tbnid=lc6hca1ru_0hKM:&tbnh=
128&tbnw=84&hl=en&start=7&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dmen%2Bin%2BSaudi%2BArabia%26svnum%3D10%26hl%3Den%26lr%3D%26sa%3DG
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Women participating in
the Hajj.
Men at prayer.
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Bedouins
www.whitehouse.gov/.../ 20020425-4-2-515h.html
The lifestyle of the Bedouins has been in existence since ancient
times in Arabia and has changed little. Bedouins are nomadic
tribes who live in the Arabian desert.
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Housing
A stark contrast is ever present in housing life-styles. A serious problem in Saudi
Arabia is that often times money earmarked for infrastructure, such as modern
sewage, is pilfered or fleeced by dishonest politicians or city officials.
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The name of Riyadh means "the gardens". In the central desert of Nedj,
there was an oasis with traditional houses made of earth. A huge trend of
modernization has led to the destruction or dereliction of the old earth
made houses until recently. A preservation policy has begun to save the
last witness of of the past
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A modern Saudi Arabian suburban neighborhood. Notice the protective outer fence.
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A modern shopping mall
market place
Shopping
A woman shopping in traditional black clothing
Busy city life outside a
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Shopping cont.
Jeddah Shopping Center Mall
From the market above, 104 illegal immigrants were deported back to Pakistan. The
Wahhabis enforce a “secret police” who monitor illegal activities in all aspects of Islamic
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daily life.
Four major cities of Saudi Arabia.
http://www.saudi-us-relations.org/maps/images/saudi-mecca-madina-jeddah-riyadh-map-600.jpg
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Transportation
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Saudi Arabian Economy
Budget: Income .............. $32.3 Billion
Expenditure ... $34 Billion
Main Crops: Wheat, barley, tomatoes, melons,
dates, citrus; mutton, chickens, eggs, milk .
Natural Resources: Petroleum, natural gas, iron ore,
gold, copper .
Major Industries: Crude oil production, petroleum
refining, basic petrochemicals, cement, two small
steel-rolling mills, construction, fertilizer, plastics
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Economy cont.
A map of the pipeline: the lifeblood of Saudi
Arabia.
The economy is almost totally dependent upon
foreign labor. The number of expatriate
workers is large with the bulk coming from
Egypt, Pakistan, India, Indonesia, and the
Philippines. The economy is almost totally
dependent upon foreign labor. The number
of expatriate workers is large with the bulk
coming from Egypt, Pakistan, India,
Indonesia, and the Philippines.
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/wideangle/shows/saudi/images/map1.gif
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Tourism limitations
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Saudi Arabia is trying to diversify its economy.
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Saudi Arabia's economy is vulnerable to
fluctuating commodity prices because of its
heavy reliance on oil exports.
But its grip on international oil markets
has weakened considerably because of rival
production from the former Soviet Union,
Africa and Latin America.
• After the oil boon, Bedouins were
encouraged to abandon the nomadic
lifestyle in exchange for farming, or
employment in city life. Most
Bedouins have not been successful in
this effort.
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Contact with the rest of world continues to
make Saudi Arabia a land of contrasts:
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United States presence is shown in a remote area.
Saudi Arabia has not escaped the ravages of graffiti.
At a popular meeting place, replete with neon.
graffiti and electrical signs, traditional attire is
evident.
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Saudi Arabia is a country trying to
belong to the 21st century with strong
traditional morals from Islam and
Arabia’s humble beginnings.
Wahhabism continues to be a strong
force and the moral backbone of Saudi
Arabia.This in itself is a cause for many
contrasts and contradictions.
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Photograph & Powerpoint Credits
Slide 1: http://web.umr.edu/~rogersda/military_service/A
7%20over%20Saudi%20Arabia.jpg
http://www.freedomhouse.org/religion/country/Saudi%20Arabia/Mecca%20sign.j
Slide 2: Zioneocon.blogspot.com/map-middle-east.gif
Slide 3: http://www.saudi -us-relations.org/maps/images/saudi-arabia-map-factbook-600.jpg
Slide 4: About.com/library/blank/usa3.jpg
Slide 5: http://edf3.gallaudet.edu/diversity/moslems/pillars2.jpg
Slide 6: http://www.csmonitor.com/specials/hajjmap/hajj1.gif
Slide 7: http://www.csmonitor.com/specials/hajjmap/hajj1.gif
Slide 8: http://www.unexplainedstuff.com/images/geuu_02_img0461.jpg
http://i.a.cnn.net/cnn/SPECIALS/2005/hajj/images/top.mecca.jpg
Slide 9: http://arabiancareers.com/saudi.html
Slide 10: http://arabiancareers.com/saudi.html
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Photograph & Powerpoint Credits
Slide 16: http://david.national-anthems.net/sa'.htm
Slide 19: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saudi_Arabia
Slide 20: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Abdullah_of_Saudi_Arabia.jpg
www.conjoinedtwins.med.sa/ gallery/polish/page...
Slide 21: news.bbc.co.uk/media/ images/38375000/jpg/_383...
Slide 22: http://watch.windsofchange.net/pics/saudi_shopping_s.jpg
http://www.ameinfo.com/images/news/0/13650-saudi-woman.jpg
http://www.artcrimes.com/istanbul/saudi_arabia_dsk_istanbul.jpg
http://i-cias.com/e.o/ill/arabs03.jpg
Slide 23: http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://news.bbc.co.uk/media/images/
http://www.cbc.ca/gfx/pix/saudi_elections_cp_7102616.jpg
http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.galenfrysinger.com/
Slide 25: http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://news.bbc.co.uk/media/images/
http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://news.bbc.co.uk/media/images
news.bbc.co.uk/.../newsid_4405100/4405164.stm
http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://news.bbc.co.uk/media/images/40735000/jpg
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Photograph & Powerpoint Credits
Slide 27: http://www.exploresaudiarabia.com/factfile/images/soldier_cooking.gif
http://saudiembassy.net/Publications/MagWinter98/images/p16.jpg
http://www.mattmtravels.com/Saudi%20Arabia021.jpg
Slide 28: http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://geoimages.berkeley.edu/GeoImage
Slide 29: http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://geoimages.berkeley.edu/GeoImages
Slide 30: http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://geoimages.berkeley.edu/GeoImages
http://www.galenfrysinger.com/Photos/saudi90.jpg
http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://kerneltrap.org/jeremy/pictures/2003Slide 31: www.despardes.com/pakistan/ images/kababish-li...
www.demetrios-sa.com/ contact.php
Slide 33: www.mosnews.com/ files/1128/picture.jpg
http://www.arab-world-information.com/saudi_arabia_files/image012.jpg
http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.toursaudiarabia.com/pictures/
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http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://geoimages.berkeley.edu/GeoImages
Photograph & Powerpoint Credits
Slide 34: www.banterist.com/ archivefiles/images/1232ad.jpg
Slide 36: http://www.saudiembassy.net/
Slide 37: news.bbc.co.uk/media/ images/38375000/jpg/_383...
Slide 38: http://homepage.mac.com/cfj/.Pictures/mecca-cola.jpg
http://www.flagline.com/images/magnets/saudi-arabia.jpg
Slide 39: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/terrorism/art/p_saudip.jpg
http://www.artcrimes.com/istanbul/saudi_arabia_dsk_istanbul.jpg
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Project coordinated by
Janie Maldonado and Sherrie Greene
Austin Independent School District
May, 2006
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