Background Information
Christianity is a monotheistic religion founded by Jesus Christ and is considered the world’s largest religion with 2.4 billion followers. Saudi Arabia is an absolute monarchy and is home to the holy cities of Mecca and Medina, making it one of the holiest places in the world for Muslims. Its government is officially Sunni and all its laws are based on Islamic law, commonly known as Shariah law.
Data and Statistics
According to the CIA World Factbook, Saudi Arabia is composed of about 93.4% Muslim, 6.7% Christian and 0.9% other. Saudi Arabia does not allow for any public practice of other religions than that of Islam and it is currently illegal for Saudi citizens to openly practice Christianity. Non-Muslims are allowed to have private religious services, but these are limited to certain areas, like foreign worker compounds. Many foreign workers are believed to clandestinely practice the Christian faith without the government’s knowledge.
Perspectives From Experts
”The truth is, Saudi Arabia is not the kind of country where Christianity can legally find a home,” says Dr. Adelzadeh, specialist in Middle East history and politics. “There is no tolerance of other religions at all, so it would be highly unlikely that any law would ever be passed that would allow for public practice of Christianity.”
Christianity is a controversial matter in Saudi Arabia and its legal status is highly contested. According to Fatimah Baeshen, a spokesperson for the Saudi Embassy in Washington D.C., the kingdom works to “constantly protect and defend the physical and spiritual rights of non-Muslims who are legally in the country” and that Christian services are protected under its laws. However, she clarifies that “while legal non-Muslim services are protected by the law, it does not mean that it is open for public practice.”
Insights and Analysis
Conversion to another religion or even mere public preaching of it is severely subject to punishment in Saudi Arabia. Perpetrators can face anything from fine, to imprisonment, to deportation. That being said, there are small unofficial churches around the country located within the foreign worker compounds in major cities like Riyadh and Jeddah.
In recent times, more government-approved non-Muslim places of worship have been opened up in the country for foreign workers, such as churches and temples, but still, Christianity remains completely outlawed for citizens in public. Despite the fact that there are no specific laws criminalizing or prohibiting Christianity, it is very much discouraged and applicable laws, such as “Shaqwa” (which criminalizes acts against the beliefs of Islam) are frequently used to charge Christian citizens and foreigners.
Risks Involved
For Saudis, it may be tempting to convert to Christianity, but risk of persecution is very high. A citizen could be charged with apostasy, which would lead to capital punishment. Though the law is not widely enforced and the death penalty has never been officially used, it still stands as a reminder of what could happen to a citizen who converts.
For foreign workers, the risks are a bit lower. Any conversions would still be subject to punishment, but mainly in the form of deportation. Any foreign worker who is caught openly practising Christianity could potentially have their visa revoked, be arrested and sent back to their home country.
Consequences
The Saudi Arabian government’s policy of zero tolerance for non-Muslims has led to a general feeling of fear among non-Muslims, especially Christians, within the country. A majority of Christians in Saudi Arabia must practice their faith secretly and live with the constant fear of being found out and punished. This policy also deters other Christians and non-Muslims from even wanting to come to the country.
As a result, the Saudi Arabian population is becoming ever more homogenous and isolated from the larger global community, diminishing the religious and cultural diversity that is essential for a flourishing and progressive society.
Changing Perceptions
The last two decades have seen some improvement in the way that Christianity is generally viewed in Saudi Arabia. There has been an improvement in the social and legal treatment of non-Muslims, as well as a greater openness towards dialogue between different religious communities. As the country’s population is becoming increasingly international, conversations about religious freedom are becoming more common and accepted.
Social media has played a key role in this process by providing non-Muslims a platform to express their views and communicate with each other in ways that were impossible just a few years ago. There is still a long way to go, but it is a positive sign for those hoping for more religious freedom in the kingdom.
Future Prospects
Despite the ongoing issues that still remain, there are some indications that the country may be moving in a more open direction in the future. Rumors of a “Secret Church” being built in the city of Riyadh that would be open to foreign Christians remain unsubstantiated, but they nonetheless highlight an increased openness to religious freedom.
The government has also announced the building of two Christian churches in Jeddah and Riyadh, part of a recent reform effort to promote greater religious diversity in the kingdom. It is still too early to tell if these reforms will lead to a change in the legal status of Christianity, but it is a step in the right direction for those who are hoping for more religious freedom in Saudi Arabia.
Protests and Demonstrations
Protests and demonstrations in support of more religious freedom have become increasingly commonplace in Saudi Arabia in the past few years, especially in the larger cities. Non-Muslims, mainly foreign workers, have become more vocal in their demands for more religious freedom and more tolerance of other faiths.
Although their efforts have not yet resulted in any significant changes, the increased visibility of non-Muslims putting pressure on the government to reform has sparked conversations on the topic and raised awareness of the need for religious freedom in the kingdom. Even if it fails to penetrate the higher echelons of the Saudi Arabian government, it still serves as a reminder that religious freedom is a right that many people are willing to fight for.
Influential Figures
In recent years, some influential members of the Saudi establishment have begun to speak out against their country’s persecution of Christians. In a particularly striking example, His Royal Highness Prince Alwaleed bin Talal recently described the persecution of Christians in Saudi Arabia as “absurd” and “unjust”. His comments were welcomed by many in the Christian community and have helped to raise awareness about the issue.
Other members of the Saudi political and religious elite have joined him in speaking out against religious persecution, including senior sheikhs and other influential figures. While their words may not translate into tangible change right away, they serve as a reminder of the potential for reform, and that is something that can give hope to those who are fighting for religious freedom in Saudi Arabia.
