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Switcheroo1983 -> RE: Primer on the Middle East (2/8/2013 9:46:58 AM)
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KSA (Kingdom of Saudi Arabia) and the House of Saud. The House of Saud and it's practices are controversial. Here is a list of why they are NOT well liked, followed by a list of why some do support them.
1. Zealots (including al-Qaeda and affiliated groups) - The House of Saud has angered zealots for a number of reasons. One big reason was US and non-Muslim servicemen and women on bases in the KSA. Technically, military bases belong to the country that particular army is stationed on (someone born on a US military base is a US citizen). al-Qaeda and others did not/do not see it that way. The House of Saud is seen by them as Kufr/Kafir (disbelieving/disbelief/in an act of disbelief) for espousing Sharia law but not abiding by it. Many of the royals party hard, drink, go looking for whores, you name it, but expect their "subjects" to do no such thing, as if they are above the law.
2. Shia Islam - The KSA is Salafi by law and belief. Salafi is a very rigid form of Sunni Islam. Shia (the few in the KSA) face persecution/have trouble finding work/restrictions on religious practiceect. Granted, many Shia in the KSA are not well trusted by locals for many Shia look to Iran for guidance (this can be a challenge for Shia in the region regardless of what nation). During the 1920's-1940's, a number of Shia Holy Sites were destroyed/desecrated in the KSA, which the royal family (at least in the 1930's) did nothing to prevent. This has never been forgotten or forgiven by Shia.
3. Secular Community - The events which started the first Gulf War were a Regional Conflict. Iraq and Iran had fought a very nasty and prolonged war. After the events (know known as the Iraq-Iran war), Saddam was able to consolidate more support and invaded Kuwait. The KSA felt threatened and appealed for outside help. The US was one such nation to answer the call (see above in "zealots" as this can go in there as well). We all know how the war went. But..a little known side action took place. Kuwait expelled roughly 400,000 Palestinians from their country. The KSA has long paid lip service to Palestine and her cause. The KSA did not take in refugees. They did not reprimand Kuwait. They were silent and still. As mentioned, the KSA pays lip service to Palestine. Israel imports much of it's oil from Russia and Turkey. Some of that oil is "local" Russian and Turkish. Some isn't. Some is Saudi Arabian. Oil barrels in Israel have been found with the Saudi seal. That is seen as very shady, and underhanded. Also, in countries where poor Muslims are starving, the royal family drives diamond-encrusted cars/ flies private jets/ hosts elaborate parties for foreign dignitaries.
4. Jews - There are no Jews in the KSA. They are not allowed on Saudi soil. The KSA perpetuates the "blood libel" myth, in schools, newspapers, law, you name it. Jewish servicemen and women from other nations during the First Gulf War were not allowed off base and even on base could not perform their religious services.
5. Humanists/Human Rights Groups - This one I will let others do some research, but I will give a couple examples. Torture is legal is the KSA. Not just "waterboarding" I mean torture. Years ago, a girls' school caught fire. The all male firefighters rescued all but 5-6 girls. They left them to burn to death. Their screams were heard outside the school. Why? They were not wearing hijab. Therefore, the firefighters could not save them. Same has happened to female rape victims in the KSA. Police don't do anything because hijab is not present. Women have almost no rights in the KSA.
Now, there are some who support the House of Saud. The royal family, does, yes, contribute to Islamic charities to help poor Muslims perform Hajj (pilgrimage coinciding with Eid al-Adha, a requirement in Islam). They have contributed much to these charities. They have also contributed to "lesser charities" to help poor Muslims make Umrah (the minor/smaller/lesser pilgrimage). The KSA also contributes sums of money to the Red Crescent Society (very similar to the Red Cross). They also contribute sums of money to science, especially medical science, and contribute to charities to help poor Muslim men attend medical school)
As I said, this is a hot-button issue. Highly controversial.
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