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[der_gadfly]

While discussing the 'Middle East', one of my students commented that all religions other than Islam are 'outlawed' in Saudi Arabia. Said student went so far as to claim that the law specifies that ALL who reside there MUST practice Islam. This started a debate which I had to squash, but I did promise to make some inquiries.

The first part seems plausible, but the second seems unlikely, what with all the expats there.

Can anyone shed some insight into this? My class will surely benefit from your help.

TIA.

[systeme_d_]

Your student is not precisely correct.  In Saudi Arabia, 97% of the population is Muslim (http://pewforum.org/newassets/images/reports/Muslimpopulation/Muslimpopulation.pdf), but all residents, including non-Muslims, are expected to abide by Shari'a (Islamic law).  The state enforces their (Wahhabi) interpretation of Islamic law via the Mutawwa'in (religious police).

So yes, there are non-Muslims in Saudi Arabia, but if they violate Islamic law, they may be arrested.

[der_gadfly]

Thanks much systeme.... But we also were concerned with the existence of houses of worship OTHER than mosques. I believe that some expats would possibly wish to have a [unspecified denomination] Christian church where they too could worship.

Being a secularist myself, it would not matter to me, but were we to relocate there, the gad_spouse would want to have a place to go.....

Thanks for the info though. I will forward it to my students.....

[wegie]

Thanks much systeme.... But we also were concerned with the existence of houses of worship OTHER than mosques.

There ain't.

Although the Vatican is trying.

[der_gadfly]

Thanks much wedgie. So, there are no other houses of worship, but I think that my class is interested (based upon the discussion) in knowing if there MIGHT be some other opportunities that are NOT officially outlawed. In other words, are Christians (for example) or Buddhists (a non-exclusive faith) specifically prohibited from practicing their faith?

[systeme_d_]

In Saudi Arabia, while it is ostensibly legal for members of any religious group to practice their religion in private, and even to gather in private homes, it is illegal to practice or preach a religion other than Islam in public.  Evangelization is specifically prohibited, and wearing symbols of another religion is also prohibited.

In fact, it is not always safe to gather in a home to practice a religion other than Islam, because the boundaries between public and private are not well-defined.  For example, how many people in a private home does it take to constitute a public gathering?  There is no legislation defining these parameters, so some non-Muslims who have gathered in private homes for worship have been arrested and deported.

http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/irf/2007/90220.htm

[der_gadfly]

okey dokey. I believe that this should resolve the issue, Thanks much systeme......