 |
 | | |
 |
|
|
Islam permeates every aspect of life in Saudi Arabia. The country holds
the birthplace of the prophet Muhammad, and two of the holiest mosques of Islam --
Makkah (Mecca) and Medina. Islam is the official religion, and public
observance of any other faith is strictly forbidden. Shari'a (Islamic
law), provides the country's legal foundation, and to be a citizen one
must also be a Muslim. The majority of Saudi citizens are Sunni
Muslims, predominantly adhering to the strict interpretation of Islam
taught by the Wahhabi movement. The country's religious police, known as
Mutawwa, enforce the conservative norms for Wahhabi public behavior such
as modesty in women's appearance, male attendance at public prayer, and
prohibitions on playing music, smoking, and drinking alcohol.
Road-Side Mosque, Central Region
Credit: Wendy
Cocker
| |
|
| | |
| |  | |
Who's Who - Read about the
ten most influential members of the House of Saud.
Interactive Map - Learn about
the Saudi oil industry and the world's dependence on such.
Info-Graphic -
Examine the numbers of Muslims in the World and in the West.
Debate: Islam and
Democracy Two scholars, Dr. Daniel Pipes and Dr. Muqtedar Khan
discuss the compatibility of Islam and democracy.
Interactive Map: Middle
East- Learn more about the politics, population and history of
Middle East countries.
|
| |
| |
|
