Modern Saudi Arabia

Valerie Anishchenkova is associate professor at the School of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures at the University of Maryland.

Recommended for high-school students and general readers interested in Saudi Arabia.

• Series ForewordIntroductionChapter 1: GeographyOverviewAsirBorder Demarcations and DisputesClimateEastern Arabia: Al-HasaEnvironmental Issues after the Gulf WarFresh Water Reserves and Water ConservancyGreat DesertsHijaz and TihamahJeddahMeccaMedinaNajd: Central ArabiaNorthern ArabiaThe Persian GulfPopulationThe Red SeaRiyadhChapter 2: HistoryOverviewTimelineThe AbbasidsArab Revolt (1916–1918)Discovery of OilEmirate of Diriyah: The First Saudi State (1744–1818)Emirate of Najd: The Second Saudi State (1824–1891)The Golden Age of Islam in ArabiaIbn SaudIkhwanKing AbdullahThe Mamluks and the Ottomans in ArabiaMuhammad, Prophet of IslamMuhammad ibn Abd al-WahhabNabateansNajranPre-Islamic ArabiaRashidun: The Righteous CaliphsThe Rise of IslamSharifs of MeccaThird Saudi State: Saudi Arabia in the 20th CenturyThe UmayyadsChapter 3: Government and PoliticsOverviewThe Arab SpringCapital and Corporal PunishmentConstitution and Legal ReformCorruptionGulf Cooperation CouncilHuman Rights and CensorshipLaw Enforcement and SecurityLocal Government and Municipal ElectionsMilitaryPolitical Dissent and OppositionPolitical Reform and ModernizationSaudi Monarchy and Branches of the GovernmentSaudi–U.S. RelationsSharia Law and Judicial SystemUlamaWahhabi IdeologyChapter 4: EconomyOverviewAgricultureDiversification and Development PlansEnergyFinancial Institutions and Saudi RiyalLand and Household PolicyMigrant Workers and UnemploymentOil Industry and AramcoOPEC and OAPECPetrochemical IndustryPublic vs. Private SectorsSaudizationScience and TechnologyTaxationTourismTrade and ExportsTransportationVision 2030Chapter 5: Religion and ThoughtOverviewFive Pillars or the Tenets of IslamHajjIslamic CalendarJihadNon-MuslimsQuranShia CommunityShia IslamSunni Islam and JurisprudenceChapter 6: Social Classes and EthnicityOverviewBedouins and NomadismEthnic CompositionHealth and WelfareHouse of SaudMajor TribesSettled Population: HadarSharif and SayyidSulubbahUrbanizationChapter 7: Gender, Marriage, and SexualityOverviewDivorceDomestic ViolenceGender SegregationGuardianshipHijab and Dress CodeIdentity CardsMarriage Law and TraditionThe Mutawwa: Saudi Religious PoliceParents and ChildrenSocial Life, Kinship, and FriendshipsTraditional WeddingWomen in Public OfficeWomen's Mobility and Driving BanChapter 8: EducationOverviewEducation of WomenHigher EducationInternational SchoolsIslamic EducationKey UniversitiesPrincess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman UniversitySecondary EducationChapter 9: LanguageOverviewArabic Alphabet and ScriptArabic CalligraphyArabic DialectsDialect of HijazDialect of NajdiGulf Arabic and Minority LanguagesChapter 10: EtiquetteOverviewDeath RitesDress EtiquetteHonorMajlisSocial LifeWorkweek and HolidaysChapter 11: LiteratureOverviewAbdelrahman MunifGhazi al-GosaibiPoetryProseRaja AlemTurki al-HamadWomen WritersChapter 12: Art and ArchitectureOverviewAbraj al-BaitBedouin JewelryCalligraphic ArtContemporary ArtGreat Mosque of MeccaModernization of Saudi ArchitectureSadu WeavingTraditional ArchitectureTraditional GarmentsChapter 13: Music and DanceOverviewArdha DanceBedouin MusicContemporary Saudi and Khaliji MusicJanadiriyah Heritage and Cultural FestivalMusic of Hijaz and AsirReligious MusicSawt MusicTraditional InstrumentsWedding Music and DanceChapter 14: FoodOverviewArabic Coffee, Tea, and Other Traditional BeveragesIslamic Dietary LawsKabsahTraditional Foods and Regional VariationsChapter 15: Leisure and SportsOverviewCamel RacingFalconryGolfHorse RacingMaqha: Traditional CoffeehousePopular ConsumerismSoccerWomen in SportsChapter 16: Media and Popular CultureOverviewCinemaFreedom of SpeechGovernment CensorshipInternet and Social MediaPrinted PressTelevisionTradition vs. GlobalizationAppendix A: A Day in the LifeA Day in the Life of a Young Professional Woman323A Day in the Life of a Bedouin325A Day in the Life of a Rural Widow326A Day in the Life of a Young Urban Man328Appendix B: Glossary of Key TermsAppendix C: Facts and FiguresAppendix D: HolidaysSelected BibliographyIndex