Background Information
Saudi Arabia is a Muslim nation and a hereditary absolute monarchy. It is the birthplace of Muhammad and the region of origin of Islam. Saudi Arabia is one of the most religiously conservative countries in the world, and it is the guardian of two of the most important Islamic holiest sites, Mecca and Medina. The Saudi government strictly enforces the observance of Islamic customs and laws. It has imposed very strict Islamic laws, enforcing the country’s official school of Sunni Islam, known as Wahhabism, in the country and actively restricts all other forms of religious expression. This has led to questions about the legality of Christianity in Saudi Arabia.
Religious Freedom Law in Saudi Arabia
According to the official version of Saudi religious freedom law, non-Muslims are prohibited from publicly practising their faith in the kingdom. This means that Christian services and activities must be held privately and out of public view. There is also a ban on publicly displaying crosses or other symbols of Christianity. Despite this, there are some Christians in the country who have either lived in Saudi Arabia for years or are visitors or expatriates, and there is evidence that Christianity is practised in some private homes in secret. The Saudi government has also stated that they tolerate private worship, as long as it is not done in public or in an ostentatious way.
Attitude Towards Christianity in Saudi Arabia
The attitude of the Saudi government towards Christianity is not completely hostile. While it is true that the public practice of Christianity is not permitted, all kinds of religious materials are freely available, including those related to Christianity. This suggests that the Saudis are, to some degree, open to religions other than their own and would prefer that Christian influence remain within the confines of the home and out of public view.
The government has also made some modest concessions to the growing Christian population, such as allowing churches to be built in compounds like those for oil workers. This is a positive sign that there is some willingness to accommodate Christian practices. However, this is limited and does not go so far as to formally recognize Christianity.
Discrimination Against Christians in the Country
Despite the official religious policy, Christians and other non-Muslims in Saudi Arabia face discrimination in many aspects of their lives. For example, they are not allowed to hold public office, and decisions made by the state related to religious matters will still be based on Islamic law. In addition, Christians will usually not be given government jobs, and those that are hired are often assigned to lower-level positions.
Christians, who are often employed as expatriates, may also find it difficult to gain access to social services or even banking services, and they are often subjected to harassment and discrimination in various forms, both in public and private. This type of negative treatment serves as an additional reminder that Christianity is not recognized by the government of Saudi Arabia.
The Impact on Christians in Saudi Arabia
The lack of legal recognition of Christianity and the general persecution of Christians in Saudi Arabia has had a significant impact on their lives. For example, Christian communities, which are largely made up of expatriates, have found it difficult to maintain stability and remain independent, as there are no laws in place to protect their rights and interests in the country. In addition, their religious activities and practice of Christianity must remain unseen, making it difficult for Christians in the country to come together and express their faith openly and freely.
Christian expatriates are also subject to the risk of deportation if they are found to be engaging in Christian practices. This means that there is always a risk that their presence in the country may be threatened and that they may be forced to leave suddenly, without due process or any chance of appeal.
Expert Perspectives
Experts have noted that while the Saudi government is morally opposed to the public practice of Christianity, they have made significant progress in recent years in recognizing the need to accommodate private religious activities. This has resulted in some limited legal recognition of Christianity within the country, such as allowing churches to be built on certain compounds. This is seen as a positive step, but it is clear that much more needs to be done to ensure that Christians in Saudi Arabia are not discriminated against and have their religious freedom respected.
Analysis of the Situation
It is clear that the situation for Christians in Saudi Arabia is far from ideal. While the government claims to tolerate private religious activities, the fact remains that Christianity is not legally recognized and there are no formal laws in place to protect their rights and freedoms. This means that there is a risk that Christians can be persecuted or even deported suddenly if they are found to be practicing their faith.
It is clear that the Saudi government needs to take more concrete steps to ensure that Christian communities are treated fairly and are given the same religious freedoms as other faiths. Otherwise, the situation is likely to remain unchanged and Christians in the country will continue to face discrimination and persecution.
Economic Impact
The situation for Christians in Saudi Arabia has had an economic impact as well. The lack of legal recognition of Christianity means that Christian businesses, such as restaurants and other services, are not allowed to operate in the country. This has resulted in a loss of potential investment, business opportunities and jobs for the Christian community.
In addition, the lack of legal protection for Christians in Saudi Arabia has contributed to a climate of fear among Christians in the country. This has resulted in many Christians choosing to leave the country, resulting in a further drain on the economy.
International Reaction
The situation for Christians in Saudi Arabia has been met with opposition from the international community. The United Nations and other international organizations have condemned Saudi Arabia for its discrimination against Christians. This has resulted in some diplomatic pressure being applied to the Saudi government to improve the situation, but so far these efforts have largely been unsuccessful.
In addition, countries such as the United States have spoken out in support of Christians in Saudi Arabia and have called for the government to recognize their rights and allow for the practice of Christianity in the country. However, the Saudi government has largely ignored such calls, indicating that any change in their stance is still some way off.
Public Opinion
Public opinion in Saudi Arabia on Christianity is generally negative. A 2011 survey found that 80% of Saudis felt that Christians were a threat to Islam and were ‘untrustworthy’. This indicates that there is still a long way to go before Christian rights are accepted in the country.
In addition, many Saudis believe that the practice of Christianity should remain a private matter, rather than being allowed in public. This suggests that while some progress has been made in recognizing the right of Christians to practice their faith privately, there is still a long way to go before they are fully accepted and granted the same rights as other religious groups in the country.
Conclusion
Ultimately, Christianity is illegal in Saudi Arabia and Christians in the country face discrimination and oppression. The country’s strict enforcement of the Islamic faith means that the practice of Christianity and other religions is limited and restricted to private homes. While the government claims to tolerate such private religious activities, there are still no legal protections for Christians, and this has resulted in a climate of fear and insecurity among Christian expatriates.
The international community has called on the Saudi government to recognize the rights and freedoms of Christians in the country and allow for the public practice of Christianity, but so far these efforts have been largely unsuccessful. As such, Christians in the country will continue to face persecution and discrimination, and the only hope for the future lies in increased public and international pressure.
