Saudi Arabia: Land of Contrasts and Contradictions

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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
nomadic Bedouins.
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Saudi Arabia is 1/3 the size of the United States.
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Muhammad(The Prophet)

• 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 Muhammads 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 Muhammad. The pillars explain the duties
each Moslem must follow in life.
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The Hajj
The hajj begins with a procession called the
tawaf, which takes the pilgrim around the Kaaba
seven times. Thanks to Saudi Arabias oil wealth,
one part of Alms-giving is used to support or
fund other Moslems to come to Medina for the
hajj. The Kaaba 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 kiss the Black Stone.
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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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Wahhabis(Muwahhidun)

• 18th century reformist/revivalist movement
• Determines the reliance on Quran (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 doesnt 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
  Azizs 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 al- Wahhab continuing to
  serve as religious advisers.

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Coat of Arms
http//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saudi_Arabi
a
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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 Sarei Lil Majd WalalyaMajjedi Le
Khaleg AssamaWarfai El Khaffag Akhdar Yahmil
Annoor al mosattarRaddedy Allah WakbarYamawteni
Mawtenii GadIsht Fakhr Al MoslemeenAash Al
Maleek Lelalam Walwatan (Adopted 1950)
ENGLISH TRANSLATION Hasten to glory and
supremacy!Glorify the Creator of the heavensAnd
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!
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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/in
deedes/images/475/339.jpg
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Oil from Lucky Seven oil well

www.westforum.sc.edu/VirtualMuseum/images/LuckySev
enDrop_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 worlds 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 after the
visit.
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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?imgurlhtt
p//www.galenfrysinger.com/Photos/saudi132.jpgimg
refurlhttp//www.galenfrysinger.com/flower_men_of
_saudi_arabia.htmh504w331sz111tbnidlc6hca1
ru_0hKMtbnh128tbnw84hlenstart7prev/imag
es3Fq3Dmen2Bin2BSaudi2BArabia26svnum3D1026
hl3Den26lr3D26sa3DG
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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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Shopping
A modern shopping mall
A woman shopping in traditional black clothing
Busy
city life outside a market place
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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 daily life.
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Four major cities of Saudi Arabia.
http//www.saudi-us-relations.org/maps/images/sau
di-mecca-madina-jeddah-riyadh-map-600.jpg
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Transportation
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Saudi Arabian Economy
Budget Income .............. 32.3
BillionExpenditure ... 34 BillionMain 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.

• 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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Saudi Arabia has not escaped the ravages of
graffiti.
United States presence is shown in a remote area.
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 Arabias 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_ser
vice/A 720over20Saudi20Arabia.jpg
http//www.freedomhouse.org/religion/country/Saud
i20Arabia/Mecca20sign.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/pillar
s2.jpg Slide 6 http//www.csmonitor.com/special
s/hajjmap/hajj1.gif Slide 7 http//www.csmonito
r.com/specials/hajjmap/hajj1.gif Slide 8
http//www.unexplainedstuff.com/images/geuu_02_img
0461.jpg http//i.a.cnn.net/cnn/SPEC
IALS/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'.h
tm Slide 19 http//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saudi_A
rabia Slide 20 http//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ima
geAbdullah_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/ima
ges/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?imgurlhttp//news.bbc.co.uk/media/ima
ges/ http//www.cbc.ca/gfx/pix/sau
di_elections_cp_7102616.jpg
http//images.google.com/imgres?imgurlhttp//www.
galenfrysinger.com/ Slide 25 http//images.googl
e.com/imgres?imgurlhttp//news.bbc.co.uk/media/im
ages/    http//images.google.com/
imgres?imgurlhttp//news.bbc.co.uk/media/images
news.bbc.co.uk/.../newsid_4405100/
4405164.stm http//images.googl
e.com/imgres?imgurlhttp//news.bbc.co.uk/media/im
ages/40735000/jpg
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Photograph Powerpoint Credits
Slide 27  http//www.exploresaudiarabia.com/factf
ile/images/soldier_cooking.gif
http//saudiembassy.net/Publications/MagWinter98/i
mages/p16.jpg http//www.mattmtrave
ls.com/Saudi20Arabia021.jpg Slide 28
http//images.google.com/imgres?imgurlhttp//geoi
mages.berkeley.edu/GeoImage Slide 29
http//images.google.com/imgres?imgurlhttp//geoi
mages.berkeley.edu/GeoImages Slide 30
http//images.google.com/imgres?imgurlhttp//geoi
mages.berkeley.edu/GeoImages
http//www.galenfrysinger.com/Photos/saudi90.jpg
http//images.google.com/imgres?img
urlhttp//kerneltrap.org/jeremy/pictures/2003- Sl
ide 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/saud
i_arabia_files/image012.jpg
http//images.google.com/imgres?imgurlhttp//www.
toursaudiarabia.com/pictures/
http//images.google.com/imgres?imgurlhttp//geoi
mages.berkeley.edu/GeoImages
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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.j
pg http//www.flagline.com/image
s/magnets/saudi-arabia.jpg Slide 39
http//www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/terr
orism/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