Editing Saudi Arabia (section)

== Culture ==
{{Main|Culture of Saudi Arabia}}

[[File:Masjid Nabawi The Prophet's Mosque, Madina.jpg|thumb|right|The [[Mosque of the Prophet]] in [[Medina]] containing the tomb of [[Muhammad]]]]

Saudi Arabia has millennia-old attitudes and traditions, often derived from [[History of the Arabs|Arab civilization]]. Some of the major factors that influence the culture are Islamic heritage and [[Arab]] traditions as well as its historical role as an ancient trade centre.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://sacm.org.au/culture-traditions-and-art/|title=Culture, Traditions and Art|website=Saudi Arabian Cultural Mission {{!}} SACM|access-date=24 April 2019}}</ref> The Kingdom also has a very family-oriented culture<ref>{{cite book |author-link= |editor= Rodrigo Basco, Andrea Calabrò, Albert E. James, Jeremy Cheng, Luis Díaz Matajira, Nupur Pavan Bang, Georges Samara|date= May 13, 2022|title= Family Business Case Studies Across the World |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=O-VvEAAAQBAJ |location= |publisher=[[Edward Elgar Publishing]] |page= |isbn= 9781800884250}}</ref> with an emphasis on preserving family traditions and kinship ties.<ref>{{cite news |last= Jambi|first=Rahaf |date=October 3, 2023 |title= Maintaining family traditions and ties plays an important role in Riyadh social life |url= https://www.arabnews.com/node/2382811/saudi-arabia |work=[[Arab News]] |location=[[Riyadh]] |access-date=October 25, 2023}}</ref>

=== Religion in society ===
Religion is a core aspect of everyday life in Saudi Arabia; it plays a dominant role in the country's governance and legal system, and deeply influences culture and daily life, although the power of the religious establishment has been significantly eroded in the 2010s.<ref name=":3">{{Cite news |last=Dadouch |first=Sarah |date=3 August 2021 |title=Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed seeks to reduce influential clerics' power |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/saudi-clerics-crown-prince-mohammed/2021/08/02/9ae796a0-e3ed-11eb-88c5-4fd6382c47cb_story.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210803102359/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/saudi-clerics-crown-prince-mohammed/2021/08/02/9ae796a0-e3ed-11eb-88c5-4fd6382c47cb_story.html |archive-date=3 August 2021 |newspaper=The Washington Post}}</ref> The [[Hejaz]] region, where the [[holiest sites in Islam|Islamic holy cities]] of Mecca and Medina are located, is the destination of the [[Hajj|Ḥajj]] pilgrimage, and often deemed to be the cradle of Islam.<ref name="Arabia: the Cradle of Islam">[http://www.muhammadanism.org/Zwemer/arabia/arabia_cradle_islam.pdf Arabia: the Cradle of Islam], 1900, S.M.Zwemmer</ref>{{efn|A number of Muslims, using justifications from the Quran,<ref>{{qref|2|7-286|b=y}}</ref><ref>{{qref|3|96|b=y}}</ref><ref>{{qref|22|25-37|b=y}}</ref> insist that Islam did not begin with [[Muhammad in Islam|Muhammad]], but that it represents even previous [[Prophet]]s such as [[Abraham in Islam|Abraham]],<ref name="Esposito1998">{{cite book |last=Esposito |first=John |title=Islam: The Straight Path (3rd ed.) |year=1998 |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=978-0-19-511234-4 |pages=9, 12}}</ref><ref name="Esposito2002b">Esposito (2002b), pp. 4–5.</ref><ref name="Peters2003">{{cite book |last=Peters |first=F.E. |title=Islam: A Guide for Jews and Christians |year=2003 |publisher=Princeton University Press |isbn=978-0-691-11553-5 |page=[https://archive.org/details/islamguideforjew00fepe/page/9 9] |url=https://archive.org/details/islamguideforjew00fepe/page/9 }}</ref><ref name="Alli2013">{{cite book |last=Alli |first=Irfan |title=25 Prophets of Islam |publisher=eBookIt.com |isbn=978-1-4566-1307-5 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5nRJK9sLjLsC |date=26 February 2013}}</ref> who is credited with having established the sanctuary of Mecca.<ref name="Michigan C 1986">{{cite book |author=Michigan Consortium for Medieval and Early Modern Studies |editor1=Goss, V.P. |editor2=Bornstein, C.V. |title=The Meeting of Two Worlds: Cultural Exchange Between East and West During the Period of the Crusades |publisher=Medieval Institute Publications, Western Michigan University |volume=21 |page=208 |isbn=978-0-918720-58-0 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=p44kAQAAMAAJ |year=1986}}</ref><ref name="Abu Sway 2011">{{cite news |author=Mustafa Abu Sway |title=The Holy Land, Jerusalem and Al-Aqsa Mosque in the Qur'an, Sunnah and other Islamic Literary Source |publisher=[[Central Conference of American Rabbis]] |url=http://www.wcfia.harvard.edu/sites/default/files/Abusway_0.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110728001911/http://www.wcfia.harvard.edu/sites/default/files/Abusway_0.pdf |archive-date=28 July 2011 }}</ref><ref name="Dyrness2013">{{cite book |author=Dyrness, W.A. |title=Senses of Devotion: Interfaith Aesthetics in Buddhist and Muslim Communities |publisher=[[Wipf and Stock]] Publishers |volume=7 |page=25 |isbn=978-1-62032-136-2 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=inJNAwAAQBAJ |year=2013}}</ref>}}

Islam is the state religion of Saudi Arabia. There is no law that requires all citizens to be Muslim, but non-Muslims and many foreign and Saudi Muslims whose beliefs are deemed not to conform with the government's interpretation of Islam must practice their religion in private and are vulnerable to discrimination, harassment, detention, and, for foreigners, deportation.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Saudi Arabia|url=https://2009-2017.state.gov/j/drl/rls/irf/2013/nea/222311.htm|access-date=2021-11-03|website=U.S. Department of State}}</ref> Neither Saudi citizens nor guest workers have the right of [[freedom of religion]].<ref name=depstate>{{cite web|title=International Religious Freedom Report 2004|url=https://2009-2017.state.gov/j/drl/rls/irf/2004/35507.htm|publisher=US Department of State|access-date=22 September 2012}}</ref> The dominant form of Islam in the kingdom—Wahhabism—arose in the central region of Najd, in the 18th century. Proponents call the movement "[[Salafism]]",<ref name="The Daily Star" /> and believe that its teachings purify the practice of Islam of innovations or practices that deviate from the seventh-century teachings of Muhammad and [[Sahaba|his companions]].<ref>[https://fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/RS21695.pdf 'The Islamic Traditions of Wahhabism and Salafiyya'], US Congressional Research Service Report, 2008, by Christopher M. Blanchard available from the Federation of American Scientists website</ref> The Saudi government has often been viewed as an active oppressor of [[Shia Islam|Shia Muslims]] because of the funding of the Wahhabi ideology which denounces the Shia faith.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/alastair-crooke/isis-wahhabism-saudi-arabia_b_5717157.html|title=You Can't Understand ISIS If You Don't Know the History of Wahhabism in Saudi Arabia|website=[[HuffPost]]|date=27 August 2014}}</ref><ref name=syedjaffar>{{cite web|last=syedjaffar|title=The Persecution of Shia Muslims in Saudi Arabia|url=http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-1015700|work=4 August 2013|publisher=CNN Report|access-date=1 May 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150123095434/http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-1015700|archive-date=23 January 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> Prince [[Bandar bin Sultan]], Saudi ambassador to the United States, stated: "The time is not far off in the Middle East when it will be literally 'God help the Shia'. More than a billion Sunnis have simply had enough of them."<ref>"[https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/comment/iraq-crisis-how-saudi-arabia-helped-isis-take-over-the-north-of-the-country-9602312.html Iraq crisis: How Saudi Arabia helped Isis take over the north of the country]," ''[[The Independent]],'' 13 July 2014.</ref>

[[File:Supplicating Pilgrim at Masjid Al Haram. Mecca, Saudi Arabia.jpg|thumb|left|Supplicating [[Pilgrimage#Islam|pilgrim]] at ''[[Great Mosque of Mecca|Al-Masjid Al-Ḥarām]]'' (The Sacred Mosque) in [[Mecca]]. The [[Kaaba]] (the holiest site of Islam) is the cubic building in front of the pilgrim.]]

Saudi Arabia is one of the few countries that have "[[Committee for the Promotion of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice (Saudi Arabia)|religious police]]" (known as ''Haia'' or ''Mutaween''), who patrol the streets "[[enjoining good and forbidding wrong]]" by enforcing [[Clothing laws by country|dress codes]], strict [[sex segregation|separation of men and women]], attendance at prayer (''[[salat]]'') five times each day, the ban on alcohol, and other aspects of ''Sharia.'' However, since 2016 the power of religious police was curbed, which barred them from pursuing, questioning, requesting identification or arresting suspects.<ref name="france24.com">{{Cite web |date=2022-01-14 |title=Changing times for Saudi's once feared morality police |url=https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20220114-changing-times-for-saudi-s-once-feared-morality-police |access-date=2022-07-17 |website=France 24 |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":4" /> In the privacy of homes, behaviour can be far looser, and reports from [[WikiLeaks]] indicate that low ranked members of the ruling Saudi Royal family indulge in parties with alcohol, drugs, and prostitutes.<ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/world/2010/dec/07/wikileaks-cables-saudi-princes-parties WikiLeaks cables: Saudi princes throw parties boasting drink, drugs and sex]. ''The Guardian'' (7 December 2010). Retrieved on 9 May 2012. "Royals flout puritanical laws to throw parties for young elite while religious police are forced to turn a blind eye."</ref>

=== Women in society ===
{{See also|Women's rights in Saudi Arabia|Women's education in Saudi Arabia}}

Throughout history, women did not have equal rights to men in the kingdom; the [[U.S. State Department]] considers Saudi Arabian government's discrimination against women a "significant problem" and notes that women have few political rights because of the government's discriminatory policies.<ref name= State2010>{{cite web |url=https://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/hrrpt/2010/nea/154472.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110412164532/http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/hrrpt/2010/nea/154472.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=12 April 2011 |title=2010 Human Rights Report: Saudi Arabia |date=8 April 2011 |publisher=U.S. State Department |access-date=11 July 2011}}</ref> However, since Mohammed bin Salman was appointed Crown Prince in 2017, a series of social reforms have been witnessed regarding women's rights.

Under previous Saudi law, all females were required to have a male guardian ({{transliteration|ar|[[Wali (Islamic legal guardian)|wali]]}}), typically a father, brother, husband, or uncle ({{transliteration|ar|mahram}}). In 2019, this law was partially amended to exclude women over 21 years old from the requirement of a male guardian.<ref name=":22">{{Cite news |last=Chulob |first=Martin |date=2019-08-03 |title='We feel empowered': Saudi women relish their new freedoms |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/aug/03/we-feel-empowered-saudi-women-relish-new-freedoms |access-date=2019-08-03 |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> The amendment also granted women rights in relation to the guardianship of minor children.<ref name=":22" /><ref name=":32">{{Cite web |date=2019-08-02 |title=Saudi Arabia to allow adult women to travel, register divorce |url=https://nation.com.pk/02-Aug-2019/saudi-arabia-to-allow-adult-women-to-travel-register-divorce |access-date=2019-08-03 |website=The Nation |language=en}}</ref> Previously, girls and women were forbidden from travelling, conducting official business, or undergoing certain medical procedures without permission from their male guardians.<ref name="hrw-permission">{{cite web |url=https://www.hrw.org/world-report/2013/country-chapters/saudi-arabia |title=World Report 2013 – Saudi Arabia |date=9 January 2013 |work=Human Rights Watch |access-date=22 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140109161037/http://www.hrw.org/world-report/2013/country-chapters/saudi-arabia |archive-date=9 January 2014}}</ref> In 2019, Saudi Arabia allowed women to travel abroad, register for divorce or marriage, and apply for official documents without the permission of a male guardian.

In 2006, [[Wajeha al-Huwaider]], a leading Saudi feminist and journalist said "Saudi women are weak, no matter how high their status, even the 'pampered' ones among them, because they have no law to protect them from attack by anyone."<ref>{{cite web|title=Saudi Writer and Journalist Wajeha Al-Huwaider Fights for Women's Rights|url=http://memri.org/bin/articles.cgi?Page=archives&Area=ia&ID=IA31206|publisher=[[MEMRI]] | first= Aluma | last= Dankowitz | date= December 28, 2006 }}</ref> Following this, Saudi Arabia implemented the anti-[[Domestic violence in Saudi Arabia|domestic violence]] law in 2014.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Saudi Arabia launches powerful ad campaign against domestic violence |language=en-US |newspaper=Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2013/05/01/saudi-arabia-launches-powerful-ad-campaign-against-domestic-violence/ |access-date=2022-08-08 |date= 1 May 2013 | first= Caitlin | last= Dewey}}</ref> Furthermore, between 2017 and 2020, the country addressed issues of mobility, sexual harassment, pensions, and employment-discrimination protections.<ref>{{Cite book |date=2020 |title=World Bank's Women, Business and the Law 2020 report |url=https://openknowledge.worldbank.org/bitstream/handle/10986/32639/9781464815324.pdf |author=World Bank | author-link= World Bank | isbn = 978-1-4648-1533-1 | doi=10.1596/978-1-4648-1532-4 | lccn= 2020901241 | place=Washington, DC | publisher= World Bank Publications | page=11|hdl=10400.14/39334 |s2cid=214418106 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2020-01-14 |title=Saudi Arabia leads in women's legal gains at work, World Bank says |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-global-women-work-trfn-idUSKBN1ZD2NV |access-date=2020-01-16 | author1= Ellen Wulfhorst}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last1=Nadworny |first1=Katie |date=2019-10-18 |title=Saudi Arabia's Legal Reforms Help Women in the Workforce |url=https://www.shrm.org/resourcesandtools/legal-and-compliance/employment-law/pages/global-saudi-arabia-legal-reforms-women-workforce.aspx |access-date=2022-08-08 |website=Society for Human Resources Management |language=en-US |archive-date=14 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230814135751/https://www.shrm.org/resourcesandtools/legal-and-compliance/employment-law/pages/global-saudi-arabia-legal-reforms-women-workforce.aspx |url-status=dead }}</ref> al-Huwaider and other female activists have applauded the general direction in which the country was headed.<ref>{{Cite web |date=September 26, 2017 |title='I am so happy': Activist reacts to end of ban on female drivers in Saudi Arabia |url=https://www.cbc.ca/radio/asithappens/as-it-happens-tuesday-edition-1.4307609/i-am-so-happy-activist-reacts-to-end-of-ban-on-female-drivers-in-saudi-arabia-1.4308348 |access-date=December 16, 2021 |website=Canadian Broadcasting Corporation}}</ref>

[[File:Princess Reema Remarks.jpg|thumb|left|[[Reema bint Bandar Al Saud|Princess Reema bint Bandar]], the [[List of ambassadors of Saudi Arabia to the United States|Saudi Ambassador to the United States of America]], delivering an address at an event honouring the 75th anniversary of [[Saudi Arabia–United States relations|Saudi-US relations]]]]

Women face discrimination in the courts, where the testimony of one man equals that of two women [[Legal system of Saudi Arabia#Family law|in family and inheritance law]].<ref name= State2010 /> Polygamy is permitted for men,<ref>[[#Long|Long]], p. 66</ref> and men have a unilateral right to divorce their wives ([[Divorce (Islamic)|talaq]]) without needing any legal justification.<ref name= Otto164>[[#Otto|Otto]], p. 164</ref> A woman can only obtain a divorce with the consent of her husband or judicially if her husband has harmed her.<ref name="Otto163">[[#Otto|Otto]], p. 163</ref> However, in 2022, women were granted the right to divorce and without the approval of a legal guardian under the new Personal Status Law.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-03-09 |title=Saudi Arabia Reforms Marriage Laws To Empower Women |url=https://www.abouther.com/node/47421/people/leading-ladies/saudi-arabia-reforms-marriage-laws-empower-women |access-date=2022-08-08 |website=About Her |language=en}}</ref> With regard to the law of inheritance, the Quran specifies that fixed portions of the deceased's estate must be left to the ''Qur'anic heirs''<ref name= Otto165>[[#Otto|Otto]], p. 165</ref> and generally, female heirs receive half the portion of male heirs.<ref name=Otto165 />

=== Heritage sites ===
{{See also|Mecca|Medina|Destruction of early Islamic heritage sites in Saudi Arabia|Tourism in Saudi Arabia|Saudi Heritage Preservation Society}}
[[File:The old city of Adummatu.jpg|thumb|right|The 3000-year-old ancient historical city of [[Dumat al-Jandal]] in [[Al Jawf Province]]]]

Saudi Wahhabism is hostile to any reverence given to historical or religious places of significance for fear that it may give rise to [[Shirk (Islam)|'shirk']] (idolatry), and the most significant historic Muslim sites (in Mecca and Medina) are located in the western Saudi region of the Hejaz.<ref name="Arabia: the Cradle of Islam" /> As a consequence, under Saudi rule an estimated 95% of Mecca's historic buildings, most over a thousand years old, [[Destruction of early Islamic heritage sites in Saudi Arabia|have been demolished]] for religious reasons.<ref>[https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/the-destruction-of-mecca-saudi-hardliners-are-wiping-out-their-own-heritage-501647.html 'The destruction of Mecca: Saudi hardliners are wiping out their own heritage'], ''The Independent'', 6 August 2005. Retrieved 17 January 2011</ref> Critics claim that over the last 50 years, 300 historic sites linked to Muhammad, his family or companions have been lost,<ref>[http://www.islamicpluralism.org/764/islamic-heritage-lost-as-makkah-modernises 'Islamic heritage lost as Makkah modernises'] Center for Islamic Pluralism</ref> leaving fewer than 20 structures remaining in Mecca that date back to the time of Muhammad.<ref name="independent.co.uk">[https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/shame-of-the-house-of-saud-shadows-over-mecca-474736.html 'Shame of the House of Saud: Shadows over Mecca'], The Independent, 19 April 2006</ref> Demolished structures include the mosque originally built by Muhammad's daughter [[Fatima bint Muhammad|Fatima]], and other mosques founded by [[Abu Bakr]] (Muhammad's father-in-law and the first [[caliph]]), [[Umar ibn al-Khattab|Umar]] (the second caliph), [[Ali ibn Abi Talib|Ali]] (Muhammad's son-in-law and the fourth caliph), and [[Salman al-Farsi]] (another of Muhammad's companions).<ref>[http://theamericanmuslim.org/tam.php/features/articles/saudi_destruction_of_muslim_historical_sites/ Destruction of Islamic Architectural Heritage in Saudi Arabia: A Wake-up Call], The American Muslim. Retrieved 17 January 2011
Other historic buildings that have been destroyed include the house of [[Khadija bint Khuwaylid|Khadijah]], the wife of Muhammad, the house of [[Abu Bakr]], now the site of the local [[Hilton hotel]]; the house of Ali-Oraid, the grandson of Muhammad, and the Mosque of Abu-Qubais, now the location of the King's palace in Mecca. (source: [https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/shame-of-the-house-of-saud-shadows-over-mecca-474736.html 'Shame of the House of Saud: Shadows over Mecca'], ''The Independent'', 19 April 2006)</ref>[[File:MasjidNabawi.jpg|thumb|left|The [[Mosque of the Prophet]] in [[Medina]] containing the tomb of [[Muhammad]]]]Seven cultural sites in Saudi Arabia are designated as [[UNESCO World Heritage Sites]]: Al-Hijr Archaeological Site ([[Mada'in Saleh|Madâin Sâlih]]);<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1293/|title=Al-Hijr Archaeological Site (Madâin Sâlih)|website=UNESCO World Heritage Centre|access-date=24 April 2019}}</ref> the [[Turaif district]] in Diriyah;<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1329/|title=At-Turaif District in ad-Dir'iyah|website=UNESCO World Heritage Centre|access-date=24 April 2019}}</ref> Historic Jeddah, the Gate to Mecca;<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1361/|title=Historic Jeddah, the Gate to Makkah|website=UNESCO World Heritage Centre|access-date=24 April 2019}}</ref> [[Al-Ahsa Oasis]];<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1563/|title=Al-Ahsa Oasis, an Evolving Cultural Landscape|website=UNESCO World Heritage Centre|access-date=24 April 2019}}</ref> [[Rock Art in the Ha'il Region|Rock Art in the Hail Region]];<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1472/|title=Rock Art in the Hail Region of Saudi Arabia|website=UNESCO World Heritage Centre|access-date=24 April 2019}}</ref> [[Bir Hima Rock Petroglyphs and Inscriptions|Ḥimā Cultural Area]];<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1619 |title=Ḥimā Cultural Area|website=UNESCO World Heritage Centre|access-date=12 August 2021}}</ref> and [['Uruq Bani Ma'arid]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1699 |title='Uruq Bani Ma'arid |author=<!--Not stated--> |publisher=UNESCO World Heritage Centre |access-date=2024-03-12 }}</ref> Ten other sites submitted requests for recognition to UNESCO in 2015.<ref>[https://whc.unesco.org/en/statesparties/sa/ KSA Properties inscribed on the World Heritage List (4)], Unesco, 2017</ref> There are six elements inscribed on [[UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Lists|UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity list]]:<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://ich.unesco.org/en/state|title=UNESCO – Saudi Arabia|website=ich.unesco.org|access-date=24 April 2019|archive-date=20 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210520153604/https://ich.unesco.org/en/state|url-status=dead}}</ref> [[Al-Qatt Al-Asiri]], female traditional interior wall decoration in Asir; [[Almezmar in Saudi Arabia|Almezmar]], drumming and dancing with sticks; [[Falconry]], a living human heritage; [[Arabic coffee]], a symbol of generosity; [[Majlis]], a cultural and social space; Alardah Alnajdiyah, dance, drumming and poetry in Saudi Arabia.

In June 2014, the Council of Ministers approved a law that gives the [[Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage]] the means to protect Saudi Arabia's ancient relics and historic sites. Within the framework of the 2016 National Transformation Programme, also known as [[Saudi Vision 2030]], the kingdom allocated 900 million euros to preserve its historical and cultural heritage.<ref>[http://ksamissioneu.net/en/saudi-arabia-to-spend-1bn-on-cultural-heritage/ Saudi Arabia to Spend $1Bn On Cultural Heritage] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170903164543/http://ksamissioneu.net/en/saudi-arabia-to-spend-1bn-on-cultural-heritage/ |date=3 September 2017 }}, KSA Mission EU, 30 June 2016</ref> Saudi Arabia also participates in the International Alliance for the Protection of Heritage in Conflict Areas, created in March 2017, with a contribution of 18.5 million euros.<ref>[https://www.sciencesetavenir.fr/archeo-paleo/archeologie/destruction-du-patrimoine-une-resolution-historique-du-conseil-de-securite_111642 Destruction du patrimoine : une résolution historique du Conseil de Sécurité], Sciences et Avenir, 28 March 2017</ref>

In 2017, Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman promised to return Saudi Arabia to the "moderate Islam" of the era before the 1979 Iranian revolution.<ref>{{cite news |last=Chulov |first=Marin |date=24 October 2017 |title=I will return Saudi Arabia to moderate Islam, says crown prince |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/oct/24/i-will-return-saudi-arabia-moderate-islam-crown-prince |work=The Guardian|access-date=24 September 2018}}</ref> A new centre, the King Salman Complex for the Prophet's Hadith, was established that year to monitor interpretations of the Prophet Mohammed's hadiths to prevent them being used to justifying terrorism.<ref>{{cite news |last=Al Wasmi |first=Naser |date=20 June 2018 |title=Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's dynamic year of reform |url=https://www.thenational.ae/world/gcc/saudi-crown-prince-mohammed-bin-salman-s-dynamic-year-of-reform-1.742510 |work=[[The National (Abu Dhabi)|The National]] |access-date=24 September 2018}}</ref>

In March 2018, the Crown Prince met the Archbishop of Canterbury during a visit to the UK, pledging to promote interfaith dialogue. In Riyadh the following month King Salman met the head of the Vatican's Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue.<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=Catholic cardinal meets Saudi King in historic visit to Riyadh|url=https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-saudi-vatican/catholic-cardinal-meets-saudi-king-in-historic-visit-to-riyadh-idUKKBN1HP1T5 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180527090408/https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-saudi-vatican/catholic-cardinal-meets-saudi-king-in-historic-visit-to-riyadh-idUKKBN1HP1T5 |url-status=dead |archive-date=27 May 2018 |work=Reuters |access-date=24 September 2018}}</ref> In July 2019, UNESCO signed a letter with the Saudi Minister of Culture in which Saudi Arabia contributed US$25 million to UNESCO for the preservation of heritage.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://en.unesco.org/news/saudi-arabia-commits-us25-million-unesco-protection-heritage|title=Saudi Arabia commits US$25 million to UNESCO for the protection of heritage|date=12 July 2019|website=UNESCO|access-date=18 July 2019}}</ref>

On November 5, 2024, archeologists published the news of an ancient city discovered in the Saudi oasis of [[Khaybar]]. The city named al-Natah, that dates back some 4,000 years, was inhabited during the Bronze Age around 2,400 BC, and had about 500 houses. Not far, a cluster of graves was found, within them metal weapons.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-11-05 |title=Archaeology breakthrough! 4,000-year-old fort city found hidden in Saudi oasis |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/archaeology/saudi-arabia-oasis-fort-city-b2641611.html |access-date=2024-11-05 |website=The Independent |language=en}}</ref>

=== Dress ===
[[File:Bisht Being Sewn.jpg|thumb|Bisht Being Sewn in [[Al-Ahsa Governorate|Al-Ahsa]]]]
Saudi Arabian dress strictly follows the principles of [[hijab]] (the Islamic principle of modesty, especially in dress). The predominantly loose and flowing, but covering, garments are suited to Saudi Arabia's desert climate. Traditionally, men usually wear a white ankle-length garment woven from wool or cotton (known as a [[thawb]]), with a [[keffiyeh]] (a large checkered square of cotton held in place by an [[Agal (accessory)|agal]]) or a ghutra (a plain white square made of a finer cotton, also held in place by an [[Agal (accessory)|agal]]) worn on the head. For rare chilly days, Saudi men wear a camel-hair cloak ([[bisht (clothing)|bisht]]) over the top. In public women are required to wear a black [[abaya]] or other black clothing that covers everything under the neck with the exception of their hands and feet, although most women cover their head in respect of their religion. This requirement applies to non-Muslim women too and failure to abide can result in police action, particularly in more conservative areas of the country. Women's clothes are often decorated with tribal motifs, coins, sequins, metallic thread, and appliques.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thelovelyplanet.net/traditional-dress-of-the-kingdom-of-saudi-arabia/ |title=Traditional dress of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia |date=29 September 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151018115808/http://www.thelovelyplanet.net/traditional-dress-of-the-kingdom-of-saudi-arabia/ |archive-date=18 October 2015 }}</ref>

=== Arts and entertainment ===
{{Main|Saudi Arabian art|Cinema of Saudi Arabia|Music of Saudi Arabia|Theatre in Saudi Arabia}}
[[File:King Abdullah in his youth.jpg|thumb|upright=0.8|King Abdullah practising [[falconry]], a traditional pursuit in the country]]

During the 1970s, cinemas were numerous in the kingdom although they were seen as contrary to Wahhabi norms.<ref name="Return of cinema in Saudi Arabia provokes critics">[http://worldfocus.org/blog/2009/01/05/return-of-cinema-in-saudi-arabia-provokes-critics/3473/ World Focus]. 5 January 2009</ref> During the [[Islamic revival]] movement in the 1980s, and as a political response to an increase in Islamist activism including the 1979 seizure of the Grand Mosque in Mecca, the government closed all cinemas and theatres. However, with King Abdullah and King Salman's reforms, cinemas re-opened,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/babylonbeyond/2008/12/saudi-arabia--1.html |work=Los Angeles Times |title=Babylon & Beyond |date=23 December 2008}}</ref> including one in [[King Abdullah University of Science and Technology|KAUST]].

From the 18th century onward, Wahhabi fundamentalism discouraged artistic development inconsistent with its teaching. In addition, Sunni Islamic prohibition of creating representations of people have limited the visual arts, which tend to be dominated by [[Islamic geometric patterns|geometric]], [[Arabesque|floral]], and abstract designs and by [[Islamic calligraphy|calligraphy]]. With the advent of the oil-wealth in the 20th century came exposure to outside influences, such as Western housing styles, furnishings, and clothes. Music and dance have always been part of Saudi life. Traditional music is generally associated with poetry and is sung collectively. Instruments include the [[Rebab|rabābah]], an instrument not unlike a three-string fiddle, and various types of percussion instruments, such as the ṭabl (drum) and the ṭār (tambourine). The national dance is a native sword dance known as [[ardah]]. Originating from Najd, it involves lines or circles of men and singing poetry.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.saudiembassy.net/folk-music-dance|title= Folk Music & Dance|author=<!--Not stated--> |website=saudiembassy.net|publisher=The Embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Washington, DC|access-date=28 September 2023}}</ref> Bedouin poetry, known as nabaṭī, is popular.<ref name=Britannica />

Censorship has limited the development of Saudi literature, although several [[List of Saudi Arabian writers|Saudi novelists and poets]] have achieved critical and popular acclaim in the Arab world—albeit generating official hostility in their home country. These include [[Ghazi Algosaibi]], [[Mansour al-Nogaidan]], [[Abdelrahman Munif]], [[Turki al-Hamad]], and [[Rajaa al-Sanea]].<ref name="Guardian2410">{{cite news |first=Trevor |last=Mostyn |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2010/aug/24/ghazi-algosaibi-obituary |title=Ghazi al-Gosaibi obituary |newspaper=The Guardian |date=24 August 2010 |place=London}}</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20050411140638/http://www.time.com/time/europe/magazine/article/0,13005,901050117-1015836,00.html "Triumphant Trilogy"], by Malu Halasa, ''Time'', 17 January 2005</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20070711094317/http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/books/article2041373.ece "Sex and the Saudi Girl"]. ''[[The Times]]''. 8 July 2007</ref> In 2016, the General Entertainment Authority (GEA) was formed to oversee the expansion of the Saudi entertainment sector.<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=Saudi Arabia allows concerts—even country music |url=https://www.economist.com/middle-east-and-africa/2017/06/01/saudi-arabia-allows-concerts-even-country-music |newspaper=The Economist |date=1 June 2017 |access-date=24 September 2018}}</ref>
The first concerts in Riyadh for 25 years took place the following year.<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=Mohammed Abdu to perform live in Riyadh |url=http://www.arabnews.com/node/978866/saudi-arabia |work=[[Arab News]] |date=2 September 2016 |access-date=24 September 2018}}</ref> Other events since the GEA's creation have included comedy shows, professional wrestling events, and monster truck rallies.<ref>{{cite news |last1= Mazzetti |first1= Mark |last2= Hubbard |first2= Ben |date=15 October 2016 |title= Rise of Saudi Prince Shatters Decades of Royal Tradition |url= https://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/16/world/rise-of-saudi-prince-shatters-decades-of-royal-tradition.html |work=The New York Times |access-date=24 September 2018}}</ref> In 2018 the first public cinema opened after a ban of 35 years, with plans to have more than {{gaps|2|000}} screens running by 2030.<ref>{{cite news |last=Reid |first=David |date=11 December 2011 |title= Saudi Arabia to reopen public cinemas for the first time in 35 years |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2017/12/11/saudi-arabia-to-open-public-cinemas-for-the-first-time-in-35-years.html |work=CNBC |access-date=24 September 2018}}</ref>

Developments in the arts in 2018 included Saudi Arabia's debut appearances at the [[Cannes Film Festival]] and the [[Venice Biennale]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Nick |first=Vivarelli |date=9 April 2018 |title=Saudi Arabia to Debut at Cannes With Its First National Pavilion |url=https://variety.com/2018/film/news/saudi-arabia-debut-cannes-first-national-film-industry-pavilion-1202747397/ |work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |access-date=24 September 2018}}</ref>

=== TV and media ===
{{Main|Mass media in Saudi Arabia|Television in Saudi Arabia}}
[[File:Saad Khadr from left and right Mohammad Al-Ali in 1979 in Saudi Arabia.jpg|thumb|[[Saad Khader]] (left) and [[Mohammad Al-Ali]] (right) in 1979]]

Television was introduced in Saudi Arabia in 1954. Saudi Arabia is a major market for [[Pan-Arab States|pan-Arab]] satellite and [[Pay television|pay-TV]]. It controls the largest share of the pan-Arab broadcasting market; among the major Saudi-owned broadcasting companies are the [[MBC Group|Middle East Broadcasting Centre]], [[Rotana Group|Rotana]], and the [[Saudi Broadcasting Authority]].<ref name="obg">{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gMPjxHzG1xQC&pg=PA173 |title=The Report: Saudi Arabia 2008 |publisher=Oxford Business Group |year=2008 |isbn=978-1-902339-00-9 |page=173}}</ref> The Saudi government [[Censorship in Saudi Arabia|closely monitors media and restricts it]] under official state law. Changes have been made to lessen these restrictions; however, some government-led efforts to control information have also drawn international attention. As of 2022, [[Reporters Without Borders]] rates the kingdom's press a "very serious" situation.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Index {{!}} RSF |url=https://rsf.org/en/index |access-date=2022-06-08 |website=rsf.org |language=en}}</ref>

Most of the early newspapers in the Persian Gulf region were established in Saudi Arabia.<ref name="aarti">{{cite news |author=Aarti Nagraj |date=26 March 2013 |title=Revealed: 10 Oldest Newspapers In The GCC |magazine=Gulf Business |url=http://gulfbusiness.com/2013/03/revealed-10-oldest-newspapers-in-the-gcc/#.UtWFDmRdWi8 |access-date=14 January 2014 |archive-date=11 October 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141011095915/http://gulfbusiness.com/2013/03/revealed-10-oldest-newspapers-in-the-gcc/#.UtWFDmRdWi8 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The first newspaper founded in the country and in the Persian Gulf area is ''[[Al Fallah]]'', which was launched in 1920,<ref name="aarti" /> and the first English-language newspaper is ''[[Arab News]]'', which was launched in 1975.<ref>{{Cite web |title=How Arab News, Saudi Arabia's first English-language newspaper, was born |url=https://www.arabnews.com/node/1661641/amp |access-date=2022-06-08 |website=Arab News |language=en}}</ref> All of the [[List of newspapers in Saudi Arabia|newspapers published in Saudi Arabia]] are privately owned.<ref>{{cite web |title=Arab Media Influence Report |url=http://www.newsgroup.ae/swfs/AMIR-Master-Base.swf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140912115714/http://www.newsgroup.ae/swfs/AMIR-Master-Base.swf |archive-date=12 September 2014 |access-date=12 September 2014 |publisher=AMIR |df=dmy-all}}</ref>

According to [[World Bank]], as of 2020, 98% of the population of Saudi Arabia are internet users which puts it in the 8th rank among countries with the highest percentage of internet users.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Individuals using the Internet (% of population) – Saudi Arabia {{!}} Data |url=https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/IT.NET.USER.ZS?locations=SA |access-date=2022-06-08 |website=data.worldbank.org}}</ref> Saudi Arabia has one of the fastest [[5G]] internet speeds in the world.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-04-19 |title=Saudi 5G Is Fast, and New Spectrum Allocations Should Make it Faster |url=https://www.ookla.com/articles/saudi-5g-q1-2021 |access-date=2022-06-08 |website=Ookla – Providing network intelligence to enable modern connectivity |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-10-20 |title=This country has the world's fastest 5G download speed |url=https://zeenews.india.com/technology/saudi-arabia-has-fastest-5g-download-speed-s-korea-second-full-list-of-15-countries-2318863.html |access-date=2022-06-08 |website=Zee News |language=en}}</ref> The kingdom is the 27th largest market for [[e-commerce]] with a revenue of US$8 billion in 2021.<ref>{{Cite web |date=Jun 8, 2022 |title=The eCommerce market in Saudi Arabia |url=https://ecommercedb.com/en/markets/sa/all |access-date=Jun 8, 2022 |website=ecommerceDB}}</ref>

=== Cuisine ===
{{Main|Saudi Arabian cuisine|Arab cuisine}}
[[File:ArabicCoffee.jpg|thumb|left|upright=0.7|[[Arabic coffee]] is a traditional beverage in Arabian cuisine.]]

[[Saudi Arabian cuisine]] is similar to that of the surrounding countries in the Arabian Peninsula and the wider Arab world, and has influenced and been influenced by Turkish, Indian, Persian, and African food. [[Islamic dietary laws]] are enforced: pork is not allowed, and other animals are slaughtered in accordance with [[halal]]. [[Kebab]]s and [[falafel]] are popular, as is [[shawarma]], a marinated grilled meat dish of lamb, mutton, or chicken. [[Kabsa]], a rice dish with lamb, chicken, fish, or shrimp, is among the national dishes as is [[mandi (food)|mandi]]. Flat, unleavened [[taboon bread]] is a staple of virtually every meal, as are dates, fresh fruit, yoghurt, and hummus. Coffee, served in the [[Arabic coffee|Arabic style]], is the traditional beverage, but tea and various fruit juices are popular as well.<ref name=Britannica /> The earliest substantiated evidence of either [[history of coffee|coffee drinking]] or knowledge of the coffee tree is from the 15th century, in the [[Sufi]] monasteries of Arabia.

=== Sport ===
{{Main|Sport in Saudi Arabia}}{{see also|Saudi Arabia at the Olympics}}
[[File:King Fahd International Stadium, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, April 2014.jpg|thumb|left|[[King Fahd International Stadium]] in [[Riyadh]].]]
[[Football in Saudi Arabia|Football]] is the national sport in Saudi Arabia. The [[Saudi Arabia national football team]] is considered one of Asia's most successful national teams, having reached a joint record six [[AFC Asian Cup]] finals, winning three of those finals ([[1984 AFC Asian Cup final|1984]], [[1988 AFC Asian Cup final|1988]], and [[1996 AFC Asian Cup final|1996]]) and [[Saudi Arabia at the FIFA World Cup|having qualified for the World Cup]] four consecutive times ever since debuting at the 1994 tournament. In the [[1994 FIFA World Cup]] under the leadership of [[Jorge Solari]], Saudi Arabia beat both Belgium and Morocco in the group stage before failing to defeat Sweden in the round of 16. During the [[1992 King Fahd Cup|1992 FIFA Confederations Cup]], which was played in Saudi Arabia, the country reached the [[1992 King Fahd Cup Final|final]], losing 1–3 to Argentina.

Scuba diving, windsurfing, sailing, and basketball (which is played by both men and women) are also popular with the [[Saudi Arabia national basketball team|Saudi Arabian national basketball team]] winning bronze at the [[1999 ABC Championship|1999 Asian Championship]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.saudiembassy.net/files/PDF/Publications/Magazine/1998-Winter/slamdunk.htm |title=Saudi Arabian Slam Dunk, Fall 1997, Winter 1998, Volume 14, Number 4, Saudi Arabia |publisher=Saudiembassy.net |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111028000423/http://saudiembassy.net/files/PDF/Publications/Magazine/1998-Winter/slamdunk.htm |archive-date=28 October 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first=Joud |last=Al |url=http://arabnews.com/saudiarabia/article463435.ece |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120120102128/http://arabnews.com/saudiarabia/article463435.ece |archive-date=20 January 2012 |title=Saudi women show greater interest in sports and games |newspaper=Arab News }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |first=Todor |last=Krastev |url=http://todor66.com/basketball/Asia/Men_1999.html |title=Men Basketball Asia Championship 1999 Fukuoka (JPN)- 28.08–05.09 Winner China |publisher=Todor66.com |date=21 September 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120118115942/http://todor66.com/basketball/Asia/Men_1999.html |archive-date=18 January 2012 }}</ref> More traditional sports such as [[horse racing]] and [[camel racing]] are also popular. The annual King's Camel Race, begun in 1974, is one of the sport's most important contests and attracts animals and riders from throughout the region. [[Falconry]] is another traditional pursuit.<ref name="Britannica" />

[[File:Sarah Attar Rio2016.jpg|thumb|right|[[Sarah Attar]] competing at the [[2012 Summer Olympics]] as one of the first two females representing Saudi Arabia|232x232px]]
[[Women's sport in Saudi Arabia|Women's sport]] is controversial because of the suppression of female participation in sport by conservative Islamic religious authorities,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.arabianbusiness.com/saudi-women-push-for-right-play-sports-447831.html |title=Saudi women push for right to play sports – Sport |newspaper=Arabian Business |publisher=ArabianBusiness.com |date= 1 March 2012}}</ref> however the restrictions have eased.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/saudi-arabia/saudi-arabia-opens-first-sports-centre-for-women-1.1192220 |title=Saudi Arabia opens first sports centre for women|publisher=GulfNews.com |date=3 June 2013 |access-date=28 June 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cnn.com/2013/05/05/world/meast/saudi-arabia-girls-sports |title=Saudi government sanctions sports in some girls' schools |publisher=CNN |date= 5 May 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Saudi Arabia: No women on Asian Games Team|url=https://www.hrw.org/news/2014/09/17/saudi-arabia-no-women-asian-games-team|website=Human Rights Watch|date=18 September 2014}}</ref> Until 2018 women were not permitted in sport stadiums. Segregated seating, allowing women to enter, has been developed in three stadiums across major cities.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Grinberg and Hallam|first1=Emanuella and Jonny|title=Saudi Arabia to let women into sports stadiums|url=http://www.cnn.com/2017/10/29/middleeast/saudi-arabia-women-sports-arenas/index.html|website=CNN/2017/10/29/middleeast/saudi-arabia-women-sports-arenas/index.html|date=30 October 2017|publisher=CNN|access-date=11 December 2017}}</ref> Since 2020, the progress of women's integration into the Saudi sport scene began to develop rapidly.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-12-05 |title=Empowered through sports, Saudi females take the sector by storm |url=https://english.alarabiya.net/views/2021/12/05/Empowered-through-sports-Saudi-females-take-the-sector-by-storm |access-date=2022-10-30 |website=Al Arabiya English |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-03-08 |title=Saudi women's sport grows by leaps and bounds |url=https://arab.news/2pd2a |access-date=2022-10-30 |website=Arab News |language=en}}</ref> 25 Saudi sport federations established a national women's team,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Female athletes change the game in Saudi |url=https://www.visitsaudi.com/en/do/lifestyle/female-athletes-change-the-game-in-saudi |access-date=2022-10-30 |website=www.visitsaudi.com |language=en}}</ref> including a national [[Saudi Arabia women's national football team|football]] and [[Saudi Arabia women's national basketball team|basketball team]]. In November 2020, the [[Saudi Arabian Football Federation]] announced the launch of the first nationwide [[Saudi Women's Premier League|Saudi women's premier league]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Saudi Arabia stages first-ever nationwide women's league |url=https://www.fifa.com/womens-football/news/origin1904-p.cxm.fifa.comsaudi-arabia-stages-first-ever-nationwide-womens-league |access-date=2022-10-30 |website=www.fifa.com |language=en}}</ref>

In its vision for modernization, the nation has introduced many international sporting events, bringing sports stars to the kingdom. However, in August 2019, the kingdom's strategy received criticism for appearing as a method of [[Sportswashing in Saudi Arabia|sportswashing]] soon after Saudi's US-based 2018 lobbying campaign foreign registration documentations got published online. The documents showed Saudi Arabia as allegedly implementing a sportswashing strategy, including meetings and official calls with authorities of associations like [[Major League Soccer]], [[WWE in Saudi Arabia|World Wrestling Entertainment]], and the [[National Basketball Association]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2019/sep/02/sportswashing-saudi-arabia-sports-mohammed-bin-salman|title=Sportswashing: how Saudi Arabia lobbies the US's largest sports bodies|access-date=2 September 2019|website=The Guardian|date=2 September 2019}}</ref>

In December 2024, Saudi Arabia was confirmed as host of the [[2034 FIFA World Cup]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=MacInnes |first=Paul |date=2024-12-11 |title=Saudi Arabia confirmed as 2034 World Cup host despite human rights concerns |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2024/dec/11/saudi-arabia-confirmed-as-2034-world-cup-host-despite-human-rights-concerns |access-date=2024-12-11 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> Developments of stadiums to be used for the event are ongoing. There are reportedly 11 new stadiums being built and airports are scheduled to be expanded to accommodate the expected influx of passengers.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/cqqlnel9z32o|title=Saudi 2034 plans include stadium 350m above ground|website=BBC|date=2024-08-01|access-date=2024-11-24}}</ref>