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Saudi Saudi KingsKings
House of Saud
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA)(KSA)
Founded in 1932Abdul Aziz ibn Saud
(aka Ibn Saud)Government:
◦ Absolute Monarchy◦ 7,000 Princes◦ 200 Princes with the
most power in the form on government offices, such as ministries
The Ulema◦ Religious Leaders &
Jurists◦ Share some powers in
government
King Abdullah bin Abdul al-King Abdullah bin Abdul al-SaudSaud
Current King of the KSA
6th King of the country
Came to power in 2005 when older brother died.
Sultan bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud
Was the Former Crown Prince
Died, October, 2011
New Crown Prince is HRH Prince Nayef◦ Line of Succession
very different from most countries
◦ Makes it difficult in future.
Sons of Abdul Aziz ibn Sons of Abdul Aziz ibn Sa'udSa'ud Bandar bin Abdul Aziz (1923-)
Musa'id bin Abdul Aziz (1923-) Mishaal bin Abdul Aziz (1926-) Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdul-Aziz (1926-) Abd al-Rahman bin Abdul Aziz (1931-) Mutaib bin Abdul Aziz (1931-) Talal bin Abdul Aziz (1931-) Badr bin Abdul Aziz (1933- Nawwaf bin Abdul Aziz (1933-) Turki bin Abdul Aziz (1934-) . Abdulilah bin Abdul Aziz (1935-) Salman bin Abdul Aziz (1936-) Ahmed bin Abdul Aziz (1940-) Mamdouh bin Abdul Aziz (1940-) Sattam bin Abdul Aziz (1943-) Muqran bin Abdul Aziz (1945-)
Grandsons of Abdul Aziz ibn Grandsons of Abdul Aziz ibn Sa'udSa'ud
Muhammed bin Saud (1934-) Abdallah al-Khalid(1935-) Mohammed al Faisal (1937-) Khalid al Faisal (1941-) Saud al Faisal (1941-) Mutaib bin Abdullah (1943-) Faisal bin Bandar (1943-) Turki al Faisal (1945-) Saud bin Abdul Mohsin (1947-) Khalid bin Sultan (1949-) Mohammed bin Fahd (1950-) Bandar bin Sultan (1950-) Mohammed bin Nawwaf (1953-) Al-Walid ibn Talal (1955-) Saud bin Nayef (1956-) Sultan bin Salman (1956-) Mohammed bin Nayef (1959- Faisal bin Salman (1960-) Abdulaziz bin Fahd (1973-) 34
Democracy in KSA?Democracy in KSA?KSA has only had
an absolute monarchy
Most citizens although very educated have never voted
Political Parties not legal until 2005
Makes democracy very difficult
EconomicsEconomics25% of World Oil
ReservesLargest Exporter of
Petroleum◦ 90% of KSA reserves
exportedMost businesses are
government owned◦ Trying to privatizeOther industries
Religious items, chemicals, polymers, fertilizers, construction
Young Population ◦ 46% under age 14◦ Jobs are an
increasing issue◦ Large gap between
rich and poor
Economics cont.Economics cont.
Riyadh – Capital (Left)Jeddah – (Above)
Economics Cont.Economics Cont.
Design of King Abdullah Economic CityProjected to create 1.5 million new jobs
Economics cont.Economics cont.
Human RightsHuman RightsPunishments
◦ Public Executions◦ Beheadings◦ Stoning◦ Flogging◦ Fire Squads◦ 345 executions
between 2007-2010
Human RightsHuman RightsWomen
◦ Read “The Movement for Social Reform in Saudi Arabia”
◦ Men first voted in 2005 Only time anyone in KSA
has voted
Women to vote in 2015
elections for 1st timeMunicipal Elections
Half of municipals (finance, health, education, agriculture) are princes, other half elected.
Women Cannot Drive◦ Many still do in rural
areas◦ Are allowed to fly
planesCannot Travel
without male guardian
Need written permission from male relative to travel outside the country
Human Rights cont.Human Rights cont.Minorities
◦Foreigners are allowed to travel, live and work in Saudi Arabia
◦Not allowed to practice religion openly◦Holy sites are off limits to “non-Muslims”◦Not allowed to be buried inside Saudi soil
Muttawa (Religious Police)Muttawa (Religious Police)Enforce religious rules in public places
◦ Approx: 3,500 plus thousands of volunteersIn many cases this means:
◦ Order/remind women to keep heads covered◦ Ban single men from entering malls on
weekends to allow women to shop◦ Force men to evacuate shops to go to the
mosque and pray◦ Inform non-Muslims to stop shopping until
prayer times are over.HOWEVER, many conservative Saudis
favor these laws as a way of preserving traditional values.
Saudi Arabia & USASaudi Arabia & USAMilitary
◦ Small population = small military = make difference up with big guns
◦ $25-40 Billion Annually, most purchased from USA
◦ Largest purchaser of U.S. weapons
◦ Also receives US weapons and defense training in KSA and abroad in exchange for military bases and unrestricted oil trade
◦ Military has been used to defend against Saddam Hussein, Israeli threats, and terrorism
◦ Congress agreed to sell $60 Billion in arms in 2010 – largest arms sale in US history
Saudi Arabia & USASaudi Arabia & USAEvery president
since FDR has recommitted US ties to Saudi Arabia
Relations important ◦ Economically◦ Politically◦ Militarily
Strong Connection to USAStrong Connection to USA
Reform in KSA?Reform in KSA?Will Women Vote?
◦ Claim is 2015◦ 2005 King appointed
first female ministersOpposition to
Royal Family Political parties (liberal,
Sunni Islamic, Shia & Hejaz tribes)
Protesting is strictly forbidden
Spurred by Arab revolutions in other Arab countries