Saudi Arabia

A Summary of Saudi Culture Brought to you by Debbie Baldwin

the young Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman Al-Saud, with 40 followers, retook the Masmak Fortress in Riyadh. It wasn’t until 1932, however, that Abdulaziz was finally able to form the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which he ruled until his death in 1953. Saudi Arabia’s current ruler, King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, is the Kingdom’s sixth king and a son of Abdullaziz. King Abdullah will turn 86 this year. Diriyah is considered the ancestral home of the Al-Saud family, twenty miles outside of Riyadh. ,[object Object],[object Object],Brief History The National Flag of Saudi Arabia.

Culture ,[object Object],[object Object],The Faisaliah. This picture was taken by my grandmother from the Kingdom Tower, overlooking the city of Riyadh.

The K ingdom T ower In S audi’s capital city, R iyadh. Both pictures were taken by my grandmother, Jan Baldwin, a photographer for National Geographic. The Kingdom Tower is owned by Prince Al Waleed.

Jenadriyah National Heritage and Culture Festival ,[object Object],[object Object]

The Islamic Golden Age ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object]

Makkah and Medinah ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object]

T r a d i t i o n s ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],Ingredients Cook filling until thickened. Cream butter and sugar. Add eggs and mix well. Add flour and soda alternately with sour milk, then add oatmeal. Roll out on floured board, cut with cookie cutter. Put one teaspoon of dough filling on cookie and cover with another cookie. Bake at about 375 degrees for 10 to 15 minutes. Preparation ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],---------- Recipe for Date Cookies -------------------------------------

Ramadan ,[object Object],[object Object]

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The Latest Saudi Trends ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object]

T he A rts A few side notes ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object]

T he I nterview ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],What is the biggest cultural difference between Saudi and America? Men and women are not allowed to mix socially, unless they are related. The traditional Saudi home is divided. The wife has a room set aside with a private entrance so she can entertain her women friends. The husband has separate quarters in the home reserved for entertaining male guests. There is a separate entrance to this area of the home. The home is walled. This serves as privacy to the family, and it keeps the desert sand out.

Interview- Continued ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],What do you feel is the most bizarre custom practiced? I really can't answer that question. This is a very interesting place to live. I guess what immediately comes to mind is the camel beauty contest. This is very serious business and a lot goes into choosing the most beautiful camel. There are also camel races, and the riders are stuck to the backs of the camels using Velcro. It is a pretty wild ride and the rider does not wish to fall off. It is quite a sight to see.

More from Grammy Jan ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],What do you believe to be the most commonly prepared food in Saudi? Riyadh’s Rumex vesicarius, an annual known for its short growth cycle (typically between February and March). This picture was taken by my grandmother The White Cheeked Bulbul, outside my grandparents’ window. It has a pretty song.

C o m b a t i n g T e r r o r i s m - S t a t i s t i c s ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],This information is from a brochure printed by the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Washington, DC

Saudi-US Relations ,[object Object],The US and Saudi Arabia have had close ties since the early 20 th century, decades before the forming of the Kingdom in 1932. At the end World War I, when all of the European allies powers sought to partition the countries of Africa and the Middle East, Woodrow Wilson refused to take part. He called for granting “self-determination” to the struggling Arab states and the young Abdulaziz viewed him with great respect and admiration. On February 15, 1945, King Abdulaziz met with President Roosevelt (FDR) on board the USS Quincy in the Suez Canal to discuss various issues. The meeting set a historic precedent and since then, each Saudi king has met with the sitting US president. The two countries have cherished strong economic ties as well as political. In 1933, the American oil company Socal (Standard Oil of California) was chosen over the established European firms to find oil in Saudi Arabia. The company later became known as the Arabian American Oil Company (Aramco), but now is referred to as Saudi Aramco. It is the initial exploration of the American company that led to the finding of oil wells such as Dammam #7 and the discovery that Saudi Arabia held approximately one quarter of the world’s proven reserves. Today, the Kingdom buys goods from every state in America, and most of the members of the Council of Minister hold degrees from American universities.

Letter to President Bush- This letter was sent on the eve of the first anniversary of the Sept. 11 Terrorist attacks, written by then Crowned Prince Abdullah ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object]

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W h i m s i c a l R a n d o m n e s s - T h e F a c t s o f L i f e ,[object Object],The Qu’ran serves as Saudi Arabia’s Constitution, while the Shari’ah (body of Islamic law) serves as the guideline for all legal matters in the country. In other words, there is no difference between laws that are religious and those that are secular. The Saudi government is divided into branches: Executive, Judicial and Consultative Council; the king oversees and makes appointments for all three . Saudi Arabia is divided into 13 provinces.

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Saudi Arabia

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Saudi Arabia