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'''The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia''' (''al-Mamlaka al-ʻArabiyya as-Suʻūdiyya'', '''المملكة العربية السعودية''', also '''Saudi Arabia''' or '''KSA''') is a large country on the [[Arabian Peninsula]]. Ruled by The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the country is one of the few absolute monarchies left in the world. [[Shari'a]] (Islamic jurisprudence) is the official law of the Kingdom. The Kingdom was first declared on 8 January 1926 by [[Abdul Aziz Ibn Saud]], and was brought together on 22 September 1932.

'''The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia''' (''al-Mamlaka al-ʻArabiyya as-Suʻūdiyya'', '''المملكة العربية السعودية''', also '''Saudi Arabia''' or '''KSA''') is a large country on the [[Arabian Peninsula]]. Ruled by The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the country is one of the few absolute monarchies left in the world. [[Shari'a]] (Islamic jurisprudence) is the official law of the Kingdom. The Kingdom was first declared on January 8, 1926 by [[Abdul Aziz Ibn Saud]], and was brought together on September 22, 1932.

[[Barack Obama]] pandered to this tyrannical regime while he was president, even deeply bowing to its dictator in a subservient gesture that offended many [[American|Americans]].

[[Barack Obama]] pandered to this tyrannical regime while he was president, even deeply bowing to its dictator in a subservient gesture that offended many [[American|Americans]].

Saudi Arabia is known as the birthplace of [[Islam]], which in the century following [[Muhammad]]'s death in 632 A.D. spread west to [[Spain]] and east to [[India]]. Islam obliges all Muslims to make the [[Hajj]], or pilgrimage to [[Mecca]], at least once during their lifetime if they are able to do so. The cultural environment in Saudi Arabia is highly conservative; the country adheres to a strict interpretation of Islamic religious law (Shari'a). Cultural presentations must conform to narrowly defined standards of ethics. Men and women are not permitted to attend public events together and are segregated in the workplace.  

Saudi Arabia is known as the birthplace of [[Islam]], which in the century following [[Muhammad]]'s death in 632 A.D. spread west to [[Spain]] and east to [[India]]. Islam obliges all Muslims to make the [[Hajj]], or pilgrimage to [[Mecca]], at least once during their lifetime if they are able to do so. The cultural environment in Saudi Arabia is highly conservative; the country adheres to a strict interpretation of Islamic religious law (Shari'a). Cultural presentations must conform to narrowly defined standards of ethics. Men and women are not permitted to attend public events together and are segregated in the workplace.  

Most Saudis are ethnically [[Arab]]. Some are of mixed ethnic origin and are descended from Turks, Iranians, Indonesians, Indians, Africans, and others, most of whom immigrated as pilgrims and reside in the Hijaz region along the Red Sea coast. Many Arabs from nearby countries are employed in the kingdom. There also are significant numbers of Asian expatriates mostly from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Indonesia, and the Philippines. There are less than 100,000 Westerners in Saudi Arabia.

Most Saudis are ethnically [[Arab]]. Some are of mixed ethnic origin and are descended from Turks, Iranians, Indonesians, Indians, Africans, and others, most of whom immigrated as pilgrims and reside in the Hijaz region along the Red Sea coast. Many Arabs from nearby countries are employed in the kingdom. There also are significant numbers of Asian expatriates mostly from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Indonesia, and the Philippines. There are fewer than 100,000 Westerners in Saudi Arabia.

{{Anchor|House of Saud}}

{{Anchor|House of Saud}}

The central institution of Saudi Arabian government is the monarchy. The Basic Law adopted in 1992 declared that Saudi Arabia is a monarchy ruled by the sons and grandsons of King Abd Al Aziz Al Saud, and that the Holy [[Qur'an]] is the constitution of the country, which is governed on the basis of Islamic law ([[Shari'a]]). There are no political parties or national elections; however, the country held its first municipal elections in 2005. The king's powers are limited because he must observe the Shari'a and other Saudi traditions. He also must retain a consensus of the numerous Saudi royal family, religious leaders (ulema), and other important elements in Saudi society. The leading members of the royal family choose the king from among themselves with the subsequent approval of the ulema.  

The central institution of Saudi Arabian government is the monarchy. The Basic Law adopted in 1992 declared that Saudi Arabia is a monarchy ruled by the sons and grandsons of King Abd Al Aziz Al Saud, and that the Holy [[Qur'an]] is the constitution of the country, which is governed on the basis of Islamic law ([[Shari'a]]). There are no political parties or national elections; however, the country held its first municipal elections in 2005. The king's powers are limited because he must observe the Shari'a and other Saudi traditions. He also must retain a consensus of the numerous Saudi royal family, religious leaders (ulema), and other important elements in Saudi society. The leading members of the royal family choose the king from among themselves with the subsequent approval of the ulema.  

Saudi kings gradually have developed a central government. Since 1953, the Council of Ministers, appointed by and responsible to the king, has advised on the formulation of general policy and directed the activities of the growing bureaucracy. This council consists of a prime minister, the first and second deputy prime ministers, 20 ministers (of whom the minister of defense also is the second deputy prime minister), two ministers of state, and a small number of advisers and heads of major autonomous organizations.  

Saudi kings have gradually developed a central government. Since 1953, the Council of Ministers, appointed by and responsible to the king, has advised on the formulation of general policy and directed the activities of the growing bureaucracy. This council consists of a prime minister, the first and second deputy prime ministers, 20 ministers (of whom the minister of defense also is the second deputy prime minister), two ministers of state, and a small number of advisers and heads of major autonomous organizations.  

Legislation is by resolution of the Council of Ministers and the Shura Council, ratified by royal decree, and must be compatible with the Shari'a. Justice is administered according to the Shari'a by a system of religious courts whose judges are appointed by the king on the recommendation of the Supreme Judicial Council, composed of 12 senior jurists. The independence of the judiciary is protected by law. The king acts as the highest court of appeal and has the power to pardon. Access to high officials (usually at a majlis, or public audience) and the right to petition them directly are well-established traditions.  

Legislation is by resolution of the Council of Ministers and the Shura Council, ratified by royal decree, and must be compatible with the Shari'a. Justice is administered according to the Shari'a by a system of religious courts whose judges are appointed by the king on the recommendation of the Supreme Judicial Council, composed of 12 senior jurists. The independence of the judiciary is protected by law. The king acts as the highest court of appeal and has the power to pardon. Access to high officials (usually at a majlis, or public audience) and the right to petition them directly are well-established traditions.  

====Relations with Pakistan====

====Relations with Pakistan====

In September 2025, Saudi Arabia has signed a "strategic mutual defence" pact with [[Pakistan]], signaling to the [[US]] and [[Israel]] that the kingdom is willing to diversify its security alliances as it looks to bolster its [[deterrence]].

In September 2025, Saudi Arabia has signed a "strategic mutual defence" pact with [[Pakistan]], signaling to the [[US]] and [[Israel]] that the kingdom is willing to diversify its security alliances as it looks to bolster its [[deterrence]].

The agreement with the [[Nuclear arms|nuclear-armed]] [[south Asia]] in state comes a week after [[Gulf states]] — traditionally reliant on the US as their security guarantor — were deeply rattled by Israel's [[missile]] strikes targeting [[Hamas]]'s [[political]] leaders in [[Qatar]].

The agreement with the [[Nuclear arms|nuclear-armed]] [[South Asia]] in state comes a week after [[Gulf states]] — traditionally reliant on the US as their security guarantor — were deeply rattled by Israel's [[missile]] strikes targeting [[Hamas]]'s [[political]] leaders in [[Qatar]].

"We hope it will reinforce our deterrence — aggression against one is aggression against the other," a senior Saudi official told the [[UK]] ''[[Financial Times]]''. "This is a comprehensive defence agreement that will utilise all defensive and [[military]] means deemed necessary depending on the specific threat."<ref>https://archive.ph/g0rpK#selection-1885.0-1889.123</ref>

"We hope it will reinforce our deterrence — aggression against one is aggression against the other," a senior Saudi official told the [[UK]] ''[[Financial Times]]''. "This is a comprehensive defence agreement that will utilise all defensive and [[military]] means deemed necessary depending on the specific threat."<ref>https://archive.ph/g0rpK#selection-1885.0-1889.123</ref>

[[File:Madina Haram at evening .jpg|center|800px|thumb|Al-Masjid al-Nabawi (the Mosque of the Prophet) in [[Medina]], Saudi Arabia, the site of [[Muhammad|Muhammad's]] tomb.]]

[[File:Madina Haram at evening .jpg|center|800px|thumb|Al-Masjid al-Nabawi (the Mosque of the Prophet) in [[Medina]], Saudi Arabia, the site of [[Muhammad|Muhammad's]] tomb.]]

===Apes and Pigs dehumanization - in education===

===Apes and Pigs dehumanization - in education===

Saudi Arabia has been accused of continuing to foster religious hatred in its schools, despite its repeated assurances since the September 11 attacks that it would rewrite textbooks that refer to Jews as "apes" and Christians as "swine".

Saudi Arabia has been accused of continuing to foster religious hatred in its schools, despite its repeated assurances since the September 11 attacks that it would rewrite textbooks that refer to Jews as "apes" and Christians as "swine".

The charges come after Freedom House, a non-partisan American research group which monitors civil rights worldwide, examined textbooks that it smuggled out of Saudi Arabia. The group found that despite promises of change from leading Saudi officials, including Saud al-Faisal, the foreign minister, and Turki al-Faisal, the ambassador to America, schoolbooks in the kingdom still promote hatred of those who do not practise its strict form of Wahhabi Islam.

The charges come after Freedom House, a non-partisan American research group that monitors civil rights worldwide, examined textbooks that it smuggled out of Saudi Arabia. The group found that despite promises of change from leading Saudi officials, including Saud al-Faisal, the foreign minister, and Turki al-Faisal, the ambassador to America, schoolbooks in the kingdom still promote hatred of those who do not practise its strict form of Wahhabi Islam.

The report also alleged that some of the textbooks are used in official Saudi schools around the world. Senior staff at the King Fahd Academy in Acton, west London, which has 750 pupils, said that it was not for the school to comment.

The report also alleged that some of the textbooks are used in official Saudi schools around the world. Senior staff at the King Fahd Academy in Acton, west London, which has 750 pupils, said that it was not for the school to comment.

In the second decade of the 21st century, some of the restrictions were relaxed - in part due to a reform-minded crown prince.  

In the second decade of the 21st century, some of the restrictions were relaxed - in part due to a reform-minded crown prince.  

* In 2017, the ''New York Times'' reported "Increasing numbers of women are working in a growing number of professions, and in 2015, women were allowed to vote and to run for seats on the kingdom’s local councils."<ref name=end-driving-ban> [https://www.nytimes.com/2017/09/26/world/middleeast/saudi-arabia-women-drive.html Saudi Arabia Agrees to Let Women Drive] - Ben Hubbard - Sept. 26, 2017</ref>

* In 2017, the ''New York Times'' reported: "Increasing numbers of women are working in a growing number of professions, and in 2015, women were allowed to vote and to run for seats on the kingdom’s local councils."<ref name=end-driving-ban> [https://www.nytimes.com/2017/09/26/world/middleeast/saudi-arabia-women-drive.html Saudi Arabia Agrees to Let Women Drive] - Ben Hubbard - Sept. 26, 2017</ref>

It was announced in September 2017 that the ban on women driving would end in June 2018.<ref name=end-driving-ban />

It was announced in September 2017 that the ban on women driving would end in June 2018.<ref name=end-driving-ban />

==Economy==

==Economy==

[[File:Abraj-al-Bait-Towers.JPG|thumb|[[Abraj Al Bait Towers|Abraj-al-Bait-Towers]].]]

[[File:Abraj-al-Bait-Towers.JPG|thumb|[[Abraj Al Bait Towers|Abraj-al-Bait-Towers]].]]

Oil was discovered in Saudi Arabia by U.S. geologists in the 1930s, although large scale production did not begin until after [[World War II]]. Oil wealth has made possible rapid economic development, which began in earnest in the 1960s and accelerated spectacularly in the 1970s, transforming the kingdom.  

Oil was discovered in Saudi Arabia by U.S. geologists in the 1930s, although large-scale production did not begin until after [[World War II]]. Oil wealth has made possible rapid economic development, which began in earnest in the 1960s and accelerated spectacularly in the 1970s, transforming the kingdom.  

<blockquote>

<blockquote>

But higher oil prices led to both reduced consumption and development of more oil fields around the world. The result, beginning in the mid-1980s, was a worldwide oil glut, which introduced an element of planning uncertainty for the first time in a decade. Saudi oil production, which had increased to almost 10 million barrels per day (b/d) during 1980-81, dropped to about 2 million b/d in 1985. Budgetary deficits developed, and the government drew down its foreign assets. Responding to financial pressures, Saudi Arabia gave up its role as the "swing producer" within OPEC in the summer of 1985 and accepted a production quota. Since then, Saudi oil policy has been guided by a desire to maintain market and quota shares and to support stability in the international oil market.  The stability has been further threatened by technology, such as hydraulic fracturing (or "fracing" as it is commonly known) which has allowed reduction in the cost to produce oil as well as redevelopment of older oil fields (such as the Permian Basin in west Texas).

But higher oil prices led to both reduced consumption and development of more oil fields around the world. The result, beginning in the mid-1980s, was a worldwide oil glut, which introduced an element of planning uncertainty for the first time in a decade. Saudi oil production, which had increased to almost 10 million barrels per day (b/d) during 1980-81, dropped to about 2 million b/d in 1985. Budgetary deficits developed, and the government drew down its foreign assets. Responding to financial pressures, Saudi Arabia gave up its role as the "swing producer" within OPEC in the summer of 1985 and accepted a production quota. Since then, Saudi oil policy has been guided by a desire to maintain market and quota shares and to support stability in the international oil market.  The stability has been further threatened by technology, such as hydraulic fracturing (or "fracing" as it is commonly known) which has allowed reduction in the cost to produce oil as well as redevelopment of older oil fields (such as the Permian Basin in west Texas).

Saudi Arabia was a key player in coordinating the successful 1999 campaign of OPEC and other oil-producing countries to raise the price of oil to its highest level since the Gulf War by managing production and supply of petroleum. That same year, Saudi Arabia established the Supreme Economic Council to formulate and better coordinate economic development policies in order to accelerate institutional and industrial reform.  

Saudi Arabia was a key player in coordinating the successful 1999 campaign of OPEC and other oil-producing countries to raise the price of oil to its highest level since the Gulf War by managing production and supply of petroleum. That same year, Saudi Arabia established the Supreme Economic Council to formulate and better coordinate economic development policies to accelerate institutional and industrial reform.  

In response to increasing international demand for oil, Saudi ARAMCO is engaged in an expansion of its oil production capacity, and plans to raise its capacity from the current 9.5-10 million barrels/day (mb/d) to 12 mb/d within the next several years. Saudi ARAMCO is also increasing production of associated and non-associated natural gas to feed the expanding petrochemical sector. Notably, Saudi Arabia has awarded contracts to foreign companies to conduct gas exploration in selected regions of the country—the first such foreign participation in the petroleum sector upstream since the nationalization of ARAMCO in the 1970s.  

In response to increasing international demand for oil, Saudi ARAMCO is engaged in an expansion of its oil production capacity, and plans to raise its capacity from the current 9.5-10 million barrels/day (mb/d) to 12 mb/d within the next several years. Saudi ARAMCO is also increasing production of associated and non-associated natural gas to feed the expanding petrochemical sector. Notably, Saudi Arabia has awarded contracts to foreign companies to conduct gas exploration in selected regions of the country—the first such foreign participation in the petroleum sector upstream since the nationalization of ARAMCO in the 1970s.