These interesting facts about Saudi Arabia will show you that this country is more than just a land of magic lamps and flying carpets.
Batul Nafisa Baxamusa
Saudi Arabia is an Islamic country bordered by Jordan, Iraq, and Kuwait in the north. Yemen, and Oman are located towards south and the east is bordered by the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Bahrain.
Saudi Arabia is the 5th largest country in Asia and the 2nd largest Arab country. With an absolute monarchy, this Islamic country has about 22% of the world's oil reserves, making it the largest exporter of petroleum products.
If these interesting tidbits have got you hooked, then let's treat you with 10 lesser-known facts about Saudi Arabia.
1. Saudi Arabia is the only country with no lakes or rivers. However, there are plenty of wadis and fertile oasis used for agriculture.
This desert land folds into hills and mountains. Jabal Sawda is the highest peak in Saudi Arabia with a height of 3000 meters.
2. The flag of Saudi Arabia is green in color. It has an Arabic inscription and a sword on it. The Arabic inscription is the Islamic Creed, "There is no god but Allah; Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah". The sword stands for strictness in application of justice. The color green is the color of Islam which represents peace, life, and fertility.
3. The world's two of the most holiest cities Mecca and Medina are situated in Saudi Arabia. Two of the most sacred masjids, Masjid-ul-Haram, Mecca and Masjid-an-Nawabi, Medina are located here.
Al-Masjid-al-Nabawi was originally built by Prophet Muhammad. It was the 3rd mosque built in the world and is now the largest mosque in the world. This masjid is open 24/7 all year round.
4. Saudi Arabia is the birthplace of Islam and home to Islam's holiest place the Kaaba.
Performing Hajj is one of the 5 tenants of Islam which a Muslim has to perform at least once in a lifetime. The Hajj is the largest annual gathering of people in the world.
The Kabaa is a large cube-shaped building located in the center of Mecca inside the al-Masjid-ul-Haram, where Muslims from all around the world gather annually to perform Hajj.
5. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is an absolute monarchy with the monarch holding the titles of Head of State and the King.
King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud is holding the position since January 2015 and his family has been in power since the inception of the country in 1932. The official title of the King Al Saud is “Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques.”
6. The Jeddah Tower or Kingdom Tower which will be completed in 2020, will become the tallest building in the world.
It will stand 3,280 meters in height and will dwarf Burj Khalifa in Dubai by 183 meters.
7. During salaat or prayer time, everything closes for 30 minutes. This is strictly enforced and only hospitals are an exception to this rule.
Witchcraft is banned in Saudi Arabia and they even have an Anti-Witchcraft Action Unit. They apprehend soccerers and reverse their harmful spells. This is also the reason for the total ban on Harry Potter books in the country.
8. One of the traditional sports of Saudi Arabia is Falconry. It is a deep-rooted tradition of raising and training falcons for hunting by the numerous desert tribes of the country.
The Saudis have also come up with Sidewalk Skiing, a stunt where the car is tilted to the side wheels and a person climbs out and stands on it while it is in motion.
9. Saudi Arabia follows the Wahhabi or Salafi branch of Sunni Islam as the Saud family has been closely tied to it since the 18th century.
Public worship of religion by non-Muslim or public display of religion by other non-Wahhabi Muslims, including the Shiites is banned.
10. As Saudi Arabia follows the strict Wahhabi interpretation of Islam, women need to follow the guardianship system.
Wherein they are not allowed to travel, marry, divorce, get a job or even undergo a surgery without the consent of their male guardian.
In 2015, women were allowed to run and get elected in municipal elections. In 2018, women were allowed to get a drivers licence and drive a car without a male guardian.
With 95% of the country classified as desert or semi-desert, Saudi Arabia has come a long way as one of the largest economies of the Arab world. Hope you enjoyed these 10 interesting facts about Saudi Arabia.