Perhaps the only famous Saudi writers are historians of the late 19th century, of which the most famous can be considered Osman ibn Bishra. The absence of a literary tradition in Saudi Arabia is partly offset by a deeply rooted tradition in oral prose and poetry dating back to pre-Islamic times.
Music rather than being a traditional art form in Saudi Arabia. Its development in recent decades as a means of artistic expression has been nullified by the prohibition imposed by the Ulema Council on its performance for entertainment purposes. There are few performers of folk music and songs, and they are all men.
Saudi Arabia's first pop star can be mentioned among the most famous musical performers. Abdu Majid-i-Abdallah and virtuoso of the Arabic lute (oud) Abadi al-Johar.
Also popular in the country Egyptian pop music. The same strict ban was imposed on the depiction of human faces and figures in painting and sculpture, although this does not apply to photography. Artistic pursuits are limited to the creation of architectural ornaments, such as friezes and mosaics, incorporating traditional forms of Islamic art.
Wahhabism disapproves of the construction of elaborately decorated mosques, so that modern religious architecture is inexpressive, in contrast to the ancient, aesthetically more interesting (for example, the sanctuary of the Kaaba in Mecca). The most significant religious architectural work of recent years seems to be the restoration and decoration of the mosque at the burial site of the Prophet in Medina, as well as the significant expansion and renovation of the Great Mosque in Mecca.
The rigor of religious architecture is offset by flourishing civil architecture. In cities, palaces, public buildings and private houses are being built on a large scale; most of them harmoniously combine modern ideas and traditional design.
There are no theaters and public cinemas in the country, spectacles and performances are prohibited.
Arab nomads, inhabiting desert regions, roam between pastures and oases in search of food and water. Their traditional dwellings are tents woven from black sheep and goat wool. Settled Arabs are characterized by dwellings made of bricks dried in the sun, whitewashed or painted with ocher. Slums, once quite common, are now rare thanks to government housing policies.
staple food Arabs are lamb, lamb, chicken and game seasoned with rice and raisins. Common dishes include soups and stews cooked with onions and lentils.
Many fruits are eaten, especially dates and figs, as well as nuts and vegetables. Coffee is a popular drink. Used camel, sheep and goat milk. Sheep milk ghee (dahn) is commonly used for cooking.
The dominant role in Saudi society is played by men. A woman cannot appear in a public place without a veil over her face and a cape that covers her body from head to toe. Even in her house, she may not cover her face only in front of the men from her family.
The female ("forbidden") half of the house, harim(hence the word "harem" comes from), separated from the part where guests are received. Among the Bedouin women are usually more free; they may appear in society without a veil over their face and talk with strangers, nevertheless they occupy a separate tent or part of the family tent.
Marriage is considered a civil contract and is accompanied by a financial agreement between the spouses, which must be registered in a religious court. And although romantic love is a perennial theme of Arabic, especially Bedouin, poetry, marriages, as a rule, are organized without the participation or consent of the bride and groom. The main duty of a wife is to care for her husband and meet his needs, as well as raising children. As a rule, marriages are monogamous, although a man is allowed to have up to four wives.
Only the wealthiest citizens can afford to enjoy this privilege, but even so, preference is given to one rather than several wives. The husband may at any time contact judge (kadi) demanding a divorce, with the only restrictions on him being the marriage contract and the relationship between the families concerned.
A woman can contact cadi requiring a divorce only if there are grounds for doing so, such as mistreatment by the husband and poor maintenance, or sexual neglect.
Introduction…. 3
§one. Ethnogeographical characteristics of Saudi Arabia…. five
§2. The birth of Islam in Saudi Arabia 8
§3. Islam in Saudi Arabia…. 10
§4. Characteristics of the main areas of culture ... 12
Conclusion…. eighteen
References… 19
Glossary… 20
Introduction (excerpt)
On the present stage most Muslim countries are significantly influenced by the "unifying" modern Eurocentric culture. This influence has not bypassed the culture of Saudi Arabia, which is the largest oil-producing power. Currently, about 20% of foreign workers from different countries peace. The country has to use the scientific and technological achievements of modern European civilization. However, at the same time Saudi Arabia continues to be the "spiritual center" of Arab-Islamic cultural traditionalism.
This is due to the fact that Saudi Arabia is historical homeland and the spiritual center of Islam. Saudi Arabia is a theocratic Islamic state. Therefore, all spheres of culture are determined by Islam. The ethnic cultural characteristics of the Arabs in Saudi Arabia are mediated by the cultural influence of the Arab-Islamic culture.
It should be noted that Islam originated in Arabia among the Bedouin Arabs and spread over the course of a century (7-8 centuries) over vast territories from India to Spain. The Bedouin Arabs were at a lower cultural level than the countries (Persia, Iraq, Egypt, the Middle East, Southern Spain) to which they brought Islam. However, as a result of the syncretic synthesis of Islam and Eastern cultures, a great Arab-Islamic culture was formed. Saudi Arabia, as the birthplace of Islam, was the center of religious pilgrimage, and Arabic language, - the language of culture for all Muslims. As a result, Saudi Arabia became the "spiritual center" of the Arab-Islamic culture.
Due to the fact that Islam is the main cultural factor in Saudi Arabia, it is necessary to consider the specifics of the culture of this country only taking into account the influence of Islam, especially the official religious movement - Wahhabism. Despite various cultural influences, Saudi Arabia is trying to preserve the traditional Arab-Islamic culture, while acting as the "spiritual center" of traditional Islamic culture for other Muslim countries.
In connection with the noted features of the culture of Saudi Arabia, the analysis of its various spheres, both in the historical aspect and in the modern one, seems to be quite relevant.
The purpose of the abstract study is a comprehensive analysis of various spheres of Saudi Arabian culture, both in historical and modern aspects.
To achieve the goal, the following tasks are set:
Analyze the main ethno-geographic characteristics of the country;
Consider Islam as the main culture-forming factor of the country's culture;
Consider the main areas of the country's culture;
Abstract research methods: comparative and historical analysis, description, etc.
The methodological base was the work of the leading Russian Arabists: historians, religious scholars, and culturologists.
Conclusion (excerpt)
IN modern times there are quite a few countries in which religious rather than secular culture dominates. One such country is Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia is a country with an Islamic culture. In most traditional Islamic countries, Islamic culture is being supplanted by a secular Eurocentric universal culture. Thus, Saudi Arabia is surrounded by countries dominated by Eurocentric culture, including traditionally Muslim countries (Algeria, Tunisia, Turkey, etc.).
Religious culture can be preserved in this cultural environment only under the conditions of a theocratic state, which is Saudi Arabia. There are examples in history when, at the expense of theocratic state structure religious culture was preserved in a hostile cultural environment. An example of this is the Jewish theocratic state in the 1st millennium BC, which preserved its religious culture for centuries, while adopting elements of Greek and Roman civilization. This proves that in any culture the main thing is its spiritual, religious, and not material component.
Saudi Arabia, being the largest oil-producing power, cannot but use elements of European civilization. But, thanks to theocracy, the country retains the spiritual foundations of Islamic culture. In many ways, this is due to the official religion - Wahhabism, which calls for strict observance of Islam in all spheres of cultural life.
Literature
Bibliography:
1. Bartold V. Islam and the culture of Islam. – M., high school. – 1992.
2. Belyaev E.A. Arabs, Islam and the Arab Caliphate in the Early Middle Ages. - St. Petersburg, Peter. 2003.
3. Belyaev E.A. Arabs, Islam and the Arab Caliphate in the Early Middle Ages. - St. Petersburg, Peter. 2003.
We will consider the question of what a person feels who feels like a stranger among his own.
A small preface
In this country you can meet children of mixed marriages. For example, the father is Saudi and the mother is a foreign citizen. These children do not feel accepted. They do not feel part of the culture of either their father or mother.
Inside view
The state is a one of a kind place. The kingdom may slightly resemble the famous TV series “LOST”. The power here is a little strange, it controls everyone. In addition, there is an invisible government - terrible, resourceful and inexplicable. The Kingdom is a place where you can get away with anything if you are in the right position. The country attracts the most unprofessional and unethical people, and from all over the globe. Those who cannot create a good standard of living in their homeland are rushing here. In addition, the state attracts citizens who avoid taxes, as well as people who do not have the opportunity to get what they need in their own country.
The state has a very low standard for anything professional or ethical. The citizens of the country are spoiled, lazy, live only for themselves. They demand a lot from others, while they themselves can do nothing. For the past few decades, they have been dormant, due to the fact that there was a complete absence of leadership, and also there was no strict control. It was these factors that held back any kind of growth. Losers from other countries come here to create a quick dollar. For this reason, the British, and the Americans, and the Filipinos and many others go.
The Saudis have one tendency to stick together. They form clans, mafias, you can call such gatherings in different ways. Usually, groups are held together by a common mentality and way of thinking, or goals. It is very difficult to penetrate into such a community, they do not like strangers here. Such a group may be among relatives, friends, colleagues, etc.
If you try to enter such a group, you will not be able to do this until you find mutual language with most of it, and to do this, by the way, is very difficult. They look at everything differently.
There is also a lot of good in the state, although sometimes it is difficult to see it through the so-called “glass of irritations”.
The main cause of depression in the state is "do not be what you are not, and also do nothing to change yourself." No one will appreciate your efforts in this state, even family members. This is such a bitter truth.
The most powerful tool to use in this state is silence. If the citizens of a country can't read your mind, they won't be able to lead you. Without seeing what's inside you, they won't be able to get to you. The people of the country are experts in manipulation and psychology. They can find weak "sore" places and influence a person. If they don't hurt you today, then expect them to hurt you tomorrow. Will you keep your thoughts to yourself? Then you can bypass them, because the power over you is only in your hands.
You must always be in survival mode. Learn to protect yourself and create the strongest defense mechanism.
The culture of Saudi Arabia is inextricably linked with Islam, penetrating almost all aspects of the public, political and personal life of the country's citizens. This is mixed with a clearly discernible desire to preserve national identity, which is completely independent, by the way, of the will of the ruling circles.
The most important cultural heritage countries - the Arabic language, which was born on the territory of the Arabian Peninsula and subsequently spread to the entire Middle East and North Africa(Currently it is spoken by more than 140 million people). This is one of the oldest languages of the region, which has absorbed elements of various biblical peoples, as well as many ethnic groups that came to this land at a later time. In addition, it is a very rich and surprisingly flexible tool that allows you to easily operate on the most complex concepts- Arabic is considered one of the few languages on the planet that is in no hurry to adopt neologisms from other languages of the world, primarily English. The Koran is also written in Arabic - the only fact to this day that a living language is used for canonical religious texts.
The complex of customs and traditions of the inhabitants of Saudi Arabia is quite complex and multifaceted for a superficial description. Many local traditions are the same for the entire Arab world, others stem from the unique historical and climatic conditions of this land, and others are the result of a rather tough isolationist policy of the ruling circles. In any case, local life is quite far from clichés.
Families in Saudi Arabia are still quite large and consist of representatives of different generations living together or within the same locality. IN last years, however, there has been a clear trend towards a decrease in families, however, genus and clan are still the fundamental concept of local social relations. The head of the family is still the oldest man in the family, who, in order of seniority, is inherited by his sons (men generally determine all other aspects of the life of the family and clan). At least one son always stays in the parental home to take care of his parents, even if he is married. The daughter lives with her parents until marriage and then moves to her husband's house, while her name in marriage does not change, only the family name of the husband is added. Many families still "arrange marriages", although nowadays young people mostly decide who they want to live with. However, the traditional contract, an analogue of the marriage contract, is still an unshakable foundation of local civil law. According to Islamic laws, a man can have several spouses if he can provide them with decent living conditions, but the term "worthy conditions" itself is, in fact, not specified anywhere except in a marriage contract. Therefore, in the modern Arab world, most men have only one wife.
The position of women in Saudi society is the subject of endless insinuations. On the one hand, most of the clichés are true - public relations between women and men are really limited here, women must dress in strict accordance with the canons of Islam and not appear in public unless accompanied by a male relative, they are forbidden to drive cars, "harim" ("forbidden", female half at home) is strictly separated from the men's, where they receive guests, and most of her duties are reduced to taking care of the house and raising children. However, this does not mean that women are in the position of slaves here - under a black cape that covers the entire body (by the way, often decorated with embroidery, precious stones and beads), a dress from the best fashion designers in the world and jewelry worth a different "Mercedes" can hide, covering the face " abaya" can be replaced by a half-mask made of precious metals, "harim" is equipped with all conceivable devices that facilitate the work of a woman (a whole staff of maids is kept in rich houses), the marriage contract is written practically by the bride herself (through her father, of course, but this does not change anything, and such a document can only be signed in the presence of a mullah or a Sharia judge, after which it acquires the force of law), in rural areas many women work on an equal basis with men, and in many industries they also occupy responsible positions. Bedouin women can appear in society without an "abaya" or even a "sheila" or "niqab" (headscarf) and talk to strangers, while they are provided with a separate tent or part of the family tent. At any moment, a woman can turn to a "kadi" (Sharia judge) with a demand for a divorce, and the reason for it may be non-compliance with the terms of the marriage contract (this is where "decent living conditions" will play a role) or mistreatment by her husband. Even the ban on education for women has long been lifted - although many educational institutions female students are forbidden to attend lectures by male teachers, they are successfully replaced by monitors and video cameras. 10 local colleges train only women, and in the most sought-after professions. However, in some areas, primarily in the southern region of the country, customs are quite conservative, and local women are simply required to cover their hair and face, leaving only their eyes uncovered.
In clothing, the inhabitants of Saudi Arabia adhere to the age-old traditions and canons of Islam, which is not surprising - local long and loose shirts to the ankles "tavb", or "tobe", made of wool or cotton, a small hat under the head scarf "tagiya", a traditional head scarf " Gutra" held on the head with a special cord "agal", as well as a cape made of camel hair "bisht" are most suitable for a hot and dry climate. Women wear a long loose shirt "taub", or "tobe" ( female version richly decorated with embroidery and beads), covering the whole body with a long loose cape "abaya" ("abaya"), covering the head and lower part of the face with a scarf "boshiya" ("boshiya"), a scarf "sheila", or "niqab", as well as cotton or silk trousers "surval".
The traditional dwellings of nomads are large tents made of black (!) Wool, settled Arabs mostly live in houses of traditional architecture made of unbaked bricks, whitewashed or painted with ocher - it is cool in such buildings even in the heat. IN Lately, of course, all greater distribution they get houses from more modern materials, but local architectural techniques are also necessarily used in their construction. Most of the houses are surrounded by fairly impressive walls, designed not only to protect the home, but to protect it from prying eyes. The concept of the inviolability of the house and its territory, a kind of "privacy", is completely unshakable here. Despite the fact that it is quite allowed and even encouraged (social status, after all!) To openly demonstrate the level of prosperity, the inner territory of the house and the life of its inhabitants are carefully hidden, even a person standing on the threshold is unlikely to be able to see anything outside the gate or doors - local architecture carefully takes into account this generally accepted custom.
An invitation to a local house is a very rare and high honor for a guest, although the hospitality of the locals is known. Arabs prefer to meet in hotels, restaurants, cafes, in special outdoor cafes under a canopy, but only their closest friends or very respected people are invited to their home. Even if there is an invitation to cross the threshold of the house, it is possible only after the owner clearly confirms his decision to let the guest into his territory. Usually such a permission gesture is an inviting movement of the right hand with an open palm or the phrase "tafaddal" (however, for a foreigner, "Come in" is usually used). A small gift to the head of the house, the oldest man in the family or children will be received with gratitude, it is not recommended to focus on the absence of women at the table, although in many urban families relations in this regard are quite European. Starting a conversation with a discussion of business or personal life is not recommended - a sedate and detached conversation is valued here, only "along the way" relating to some pressing issues. For a dear guest, an incense burner will be lit and the table will be laid, and the conversation itself will be accompanied by indispensable coffee ("kahwa", "kabwa" or "gahva") and sweets.
Coffee is worth mentioning separately - it is both a traditional drink, and the most important part of the ritual of welcoming a guest, and a complex ceremonial element. It is believed that coffee is brewed differently in every home, so showing off your skill in this matter can be an important social element. According to legend, the tonic properties of coffee were discovered almost 12 centuries ago by an Arabian shepherd named Khalid, who noticed that in the afternoon, when you really want to sleep, goats and sheep ate the berries of some evergreen shrub and remained brisk and mobile. The ingenious Khalid invented the roasting of these berries and introduced them into the diet, and since then coffee has become an integral part of local life. The canonical ritual of making coffee here also includes roasting beans over an open fire in a special small frying pan "mahmas", subsequent cooling, grinding in a special mortar "mahbash" (by the sound of grinding, many connoisseurs immediately determine the grade and quality of coffee, and guests should appreciate the skill and artistry owner, manifested in this process), brewing in a small della coffee pot (often in several - the strongest drink is brewed in one, pure coffee is brewed in another according to a different recipe, in the third it is all mixed in the required proportion, and so on), adding cardamom and saffron, and then pouring coffee into small cups. Sugar is not served, various candied fruits or nuts are used instead.
Making coffee is the privilege of the owner of the house, so he pours the first cup for himself, "for testing", and only then the coffee is poured to the guests, and the first cup traditionally goes to the most respected member of the company. Refusal of coffee can be regarded as an insult, and rather florid explanations will be required, of which only heart problems will be considered more or less acceptable. A cup not offered to a guest is, accordingly, an open challenge. Coffee cups are barely half full, and it is customary to drink them very slowly, drinking an obligatory glass of cold water from time to time, thereby stretching the conversation - they will constantly pour or offer to refill the cup (it is considered the height of politeness to drink an odd number of cups). At the end, the guest should shake the empty cup from side to side and say "shukran".
Diet like most Arab countries, two meals a day - a very hearty breakfast and the same hearty lunch.
The Koran forbids drinking alcohol, non-alcoholic beer and cocktails can only be found in hotel bars. Being in a public place in a state of intoxication is considered a strictly punishable act, which threatens with immediate arrest or deportation. Attitudes towards smoking are about the same as in most European countries. Non-smoking rooms are required. During Ramadan, Muslims are not allowed to eat, smoke or drink during daylight hours, this rule also applies to foreigners (however, in the latter case, this applies only to public places).
It is not customary to eat standing up or on the go, as well as to look into the face of a person busy eating. Bread is usually broken with hands, which is used to take most of the dishes. Often, instead of cutlery, bread or flatbread is used, the pieces of which are taken in sauces and pieces of meat, but in most establishments European cutlery can be found without problems. Take food, money and things only with your right hand, because in Islam left hand considered unclean (hygienic needs are sent to it).
Touching anyone, especially the head, without explicit permission is not recommended. The soles of the feet should not point in any direction. During the handshake, you should not look into the eyes of the interlocutor, and you should also not keep your other hand in your pocket or wave it vigorously in the air (especially with a cigarette). You can not bypass the worshipers in front. Shoes should be removed when entering mosques and houses. In an ordinary conversation, references to God (Allah) and calling him as a witness are quite acceptable, but you should not abuse this - local residents have their own ideas about the norms of decency in this regard. Also, do not actively gesticulate - the Arabs have their own complex system of gestures and often quite a decent European gesture can mean something offensive here.
Arabs in Saudi Arabia usually greet family and friends with hugs and kisses on both cheeks. FROM unfamiliar people this is not accepted - the usual European handshake is in use here. Touching members of the opposite sex is strongly discouraged.
Local features and customs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia ( KCA) - an Arab state in Southwest Asia, occupies more than 80% of the territory of the Arabian Peninsula. It borders with Jordan, Iraq and Kuwait in the north and northeast, with Qatar, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates - in the east, Oman and Yemen - in the southeast and south.
total area is 2,149,690 million sq. m. km. The length of the land borders is 4,431 km, the sea coast is 2,640 km.
Population– 28 686 633 people (as of July 2009), including 5,576,076 permanently resident migrants. The annual population growth is about 1.5% (as of 2009). The unemployment rate in 2009 was 8.9% (13.2% in 2004).
Capital- Riyadh city (5.9 million inhabitants at the end of 2009). Main cities: Jeddah (over 3.4 million inhabitants at the end of 2009), Mecca, Medina, Taif, Greater Dammam agglomeration (includes the cities of Dammam, Dhahran and Khobar).
Official language Arabic, English spoken.
State religion - Sunni Islam. On the territory of the Kingdom there are the main holy places of Islam - the cities of Mecca and Medina, which are annually visited by about 4 million people during the Hajj.
National holidays . In accordance with the Fundamentals of the KSA Power System, public holidays are Eid al-Fitr (the holiday of breaking the fast, celebrated at the end of the month of Ramadan) and Eid al-Adha (the holiday of sacrifice, celebrated during the Hajj period). The Day of Proclamation of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is also celebrated on September 23. Days off in public institutions - Thursday, Friday.
Currency unit - Saudi rial, 1 rial = 0.27 US dollars.
Time– UTC (Coordinated Universal Time) +3 hours, i.e. coincides with Moscow in winter and is 1 hour behind in summer.
Climate- extremely dry. The Arabian Peninsula is one of the few places on Earth where temperatures consistently exceed 50°C in summer. However, snow falls only in the Jizan mountains in the west of the country, and not every year. The average temperature in January is between 8°C and 20°C in desert towns and between 20°C and 30°C along the Red Sea coast. In summer, the temperature in the shade ranges from 35 °C to 43 °C. At night in the desert, you can sometimes encounter temperatures close to 0 ° C, as the sand quickly gives off the heat accumulated during the day. The average annual rainfall is 100 mm. In the center and east of Saudi Arabia, it rains exclusively in late winter and spring, while in the west it rains only in winter.
There is no direct air communication with Russia. Flights with transfers to Moscow are made via Cairo (Egypt), Dubai (UAE), Istanbul (Turkey), Doha (Qatar), Larnaca (Cyprus), Frankfurt (Germany).
Capital Riyadh is a relatively inexpensive city to live in. Outside of the Hajj season, it is quite possible to find a budget hotel here for $5-25 per night and small restaurants with prices ranging from $4-10 for lunch. Mid-level hotels will cost 20-60 dollars per day, restaurants - 10-20, high-class hotels ask for their services from 60 dollars and more, restaurants - from 20.
Most of the shops and private shops open at 8-9 am and close at 8-10 pm, interrupting their work during the day for the time of prayer. Supermarkets are open until 12 at night, and some are open around the clock. At the same time, a number of specialized stores of industrial goods and equipment are closed from 12 noon to 4.30 pm, working from morning and evening until late at night.
The capital of KSA is famous for its fantastic selection of outlets, from traditional sou markets to large department stores and malls, ranging from affordable shops to the most expensive boutiques. Part of this rich choice is due to the fact that there are no bars, casinos, nightclubs, theaters or cinemas in the country (any depiction of a person and his body is forbidden by the Koran), so shops are a favorite pastime of locals.
Almost everywhere, various types of credit cards are accepted for payment. For those who prefer to pay with "cash", ATMs are also widely available.
Free public toilets are available in all major stores and most public recreation areas.
The railway and bus station in the capital of KSA are located in the old part of the city, south of the business center. King Khaled International Airport (one of the largest in the world - more than 20 million passengers pass through it every year) is located about 30 kilometers from Riyadh.
Road and traffic system in the KSA is largely borrowed from the United States. One of the distinguishing features is the ability to turn right at a red traffic light. The country has a right-hand rule, traffic is usually one-way, road signs of international standard. In case of violations of the speed limit, a fine is imposed on the spot. Women are not allowed to drive.
Traffic safety in Riyadh is ensured by the traffic police of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the KSA, setting up stationary posts on the main highways, or using the so-called secret patrols - ordinary unmarked cars equipped with radars, photographic recording and communication systems. Almost all intersections of the city are monitored by video surveillance equipment that displays information on the monitors of the single traffic control center in Riyadh. Since 2008, various automatic license plate recognition systems have been tested in the capital, but so far they have not been widely used.
In order to reduce the number of cases and severe consequences of road accidents, since 2007, a government decree introduced a list of traffic rules (Appendix 3), the violation of which leads to the application of sanctions by traffic police against drivers. It uses a penalty point system along with the imposition of large fines and sentencing in prison. So, the most serious from the point of view of punishment are: driving at a prohibitory traffic light; ignoring the stop on the signal "STOP"; non-compliance with the speed limit; movement in the opposite lane; turn in a prohibited place.
For violation of the rules, fines from 2 to 6 points and from 80 to 270 US dollars are provided.
It should be noted that the possibility of using a national Russian driver's license (including an international one) is allowed only for employees of a diplomatic mission. In addition, a Saudi-style driver's license is issued to diplomats free of charge.
The main types of fuel in KSA are gasoline brand "91" (the cost of 1 liter is about 8 US cents) and "95" (about 16 cents per liter).
parking spaces, for the most part Free, available in sufficient quantity. In the capital, paid parking lots are located at the airport and near the Masmak fortress in the historical part of the city (the cost for 1 hour is from 0.5 to 1.5 US dollars).
There is no transport tax in KSA, travel on the main highways of the country is free - the exception is the King Fahd Bridge connecting KSA and Bahrain (one-way fare on the bridge is about 5.5 US dollars).
In the event of an accident locals, as a rule, turn to the Najma service, a semi-state company specializing in resolving road accidents and providing intermediary services to citizens in contacts with the local automobile inspection and insurance companies.
Car insurance is mandatory. Without an insurance policy, it is impossible to purchase and register a car. The insurance service is provided by a large number of companies. The annual cost of insurance is on average about 10 percent of the car's market value.
Public transport, for example, in the capital of KSA is represented by a small number of low-traffic bus routes linking the center of Riyadh with industrial areas, the airport and shopping markets. Used mainly by low-paid foreign workers to travel within the city. The main means of transportation remains personal transport, for those who do not have a car - a taxi (the fare is about 0.25 US dollars per 1 km.). The practice of renting cars from 70 to 200 US dollars per day is widely used, depending on the brand of the car and the rental period.
In 2009, the governor of Riyadh, Prince Salman, announced the start of design work on a light rail network designed to reduce traffic congestion in the capital. At present, the competent authorities are finalizing the development of the necessary engineering structures in accordance with the technical specification. It is expected that the construction of two tracks of railway lines in the city will be started in the near future. The first phase involves the creation of a 25 km long line that will connect north and south, and the second phase includes the creation of a 14 km link between east and west. In general, the project will cover 30 quarters of the city, the volume of traffic at the initial stage will reach 1,500 passengers per hour on each line.
The unflattering side of local reality is the most severe norms of observance of Islamic law., since ordinary law in its European sense is replaced by Sharia norms. Any discussion of the existing political or religious system is prohibited. For violation of the canons of Islam, severe punishment is due, and this is strictly monitored. In the capital, the religious police - "mutavva" - are actively operating, whose representatives and agents in civilian clothes constantly patrol the streets and public institutions. However, for minor violations, only preventive conversations and rather light (according to local standards) censure measures are usually applied to foreigners.
Foreigners are not prohibited by law from dressing outside of Islamic traditions, but both women and men are encouraged to dress modestly when entering the country. In any case, a short skirt or shorts, bare arms above the elbow (even for men) and women's uncovered headscarves can cause complaints from representatives of the religious police. The traditions of social behavior here are extremely conservative and this should in no case be neglected - for violation of local rules, immediate expulsion from the country usually threatens. It is categorically not recommended for a foreigner to wear local clothes either - the style, cut, color and decoration of many elements of the traditional Arab costume are designed to determine the owner's belonging to a particular clan, so an attempt by a European to try it on himself can be regarded quite negatively. However, this applies only to the most conservative representatives of the local population.
In 2006, the Saudi Arabian government lifted the ban on photographing in public places, however, permission is still required to take photographs of private property, government and military installations, infrastructure or individuals.
One of the peculiarities of "shopping" in Riyadh is that men over 16 years of age, unaccompanied by women, are not allowed in large supermarkets. The entry ban for single men was introduced in order to protect the moral and moral foundations of the country's female population.
The judicial system of Saudi Arabia is based on the provisions of Islamic law - Sharia, the Koran and Sunnah, legends about the life and deeds of the Prophet Muhammad.
Judicial power is represented by a system of Sharia courts, the highest instance of which is the Supreme Court of Cassation and the Supreme Council of the Ulema, which also heads the system of religious institutions of the Kingdom.
Lower courts exist in almost all localities of the country and Bedouin villages. They consider petty property cases and domestic offenses. Their decisions are final and not subject to appeal.
The existing system of punishments for committed crimes and offenses in Saudi Arabia bears the imprint of medieval norms of Muslim law. For the use of alcoholic beverages or the distribution of their perpetrator, they are publicly punished with rods. For petty theft, they are also punished with rods, and for repeated large thefts, the right hand is cut off. For a more serious crime, the perpetrator may suffer the death penalty- cutting off the head or even quartering.
According to Muslim law, a divorce is considered valid if the husband repeats the well-known formula "inta talak" - "you are divorced" three times and submits the case to the court for registration of the act of divorce. A divorced woman hides her face from her husband and returns to her father's house. Children, as a rule, remain with the father, unless he himself wishes to give them to their mother. A woman can only ask for a divorce if the husband is unable to "fulfill his marital obligations". This wording includes, in particular, the refusal or impossibility to contain it.
Issues of acquisition and deprivation of citizenship in a fairly closed and strictly regulated society of such a state as the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, are very relevant for both Saudi citizens and foreigners associated with them by family and marriage ties. As in many other monarchies, the institution of citizenship has completely replaced the institution of citizenship, therefore, in all modern Saudi normative documents this term is used.
Despite the existence of a law and by-laws on citizenship, a significant number of problems arise in resolving these issues, which causes discontent and complaints, especially among Saudi citizens who have entered into mixed marriages, as well as heated discussions in the press, attracting close attention of local and international human rights organizations. .
In the context of globalization, the intensification of international contacts and the growth of socio-legal self-awareness in Saudi society in recent years, a significant part of the citizens began to deviate in matters of family relations from traditional conservative ideas and postulates that prescribe endogamous marriages. It has become a common practice that Saudi citizens (both sexes) who are abroad (study, business trips, etc.) marry foreigners. When deciding on the issue of granting Saudi citizenship to foreigners or children from mixed marriages, the opinion of Interior Ministry officials who are authorized to make the final decision, who often interpret legislative norms in a very subjective way, is of primary importance.
A Saudi citizen is a person born in the territory of the KSA or outside it, whose father is a Saudi citizen; or the mother is a Saudi national and the father's nationality is unknown or stateless; or a person born in the territory of the KSA whose parents are not identified (art. 7).
Saudi Arabia, today, remains the most closed country for tourists. However, since the beginning of 2006, Prince Sultan bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Secretary General of the Supreme Commission for Tourism (HTC) KSA, has taken concrete steps towards enhancing the development of the tourism sector in Saudi Arabia. In addition to huge financial investments in the construction of hotels and resorts on the coast of the Red Sea and the Persian Gulf, the creation of future tourism infrastructure, the authorities are improving and legislative framework country.
If until recently, citizens from countries outside the Persian Gulf could only obtain work, business or pilgrimage visas, and their registration was fraught with great difficulties, then in the near future foreigners will have the opportunity to visit Saudi Arabia as a tourist, and a Saudi visa may be received by a foreigner, regardless of his affiliation to a particular religion. The VTK KSA is also reviewing various restrictions in force in the country for foreigners - in particular, a decision has been made to lift the ban on photography and video filming.
At the same time, the Saudi authorities maintain some restrictions on entry into the country. Under the new rules, tourists are required to travel only in groups. Tourist visas cannot be issued to Jews and holders of Israeli visas in their passports, as well as to persons who violate the rules and customs adopted in Saudi Arabia. Entry into the KSA to tourists, "savages", as well as women without male accompaniment is still prohibited. It is also forbidden to visit the cities of Mecca and Medina for non-Muslims.
Sanitary and epidemic situation in the country is under constant control of government agencies. Thanks to the development of health care, the number of cases of dangerous infections has been significantly reduced. children younger age When entering the country, vaccinations against polio, whooping cough and tetanus are mandatory.
Taking into account possible complication the sanitary situation in the country during the Hajj, much attention is paid to preventive measures for pilgrims. In addition to strict medical control at the border, quarantine camps are being set up in the hajj area.
All those arriving for the Hajj must receive the following vaccinations and provide relevant certificates: vaccination against yellow fever (all visitors from countries where an epidemic is registered), vaccination against viral meningitis (all visitors from any country), vaccination against diphtheria (arriving from Russian Federation).
Visa to commit Hajj is issued to Muslims who wish to make a pilgrimage. Such visas are issued by the Saudi diplomatic mission annually, their issuance begins 90 days before the start of the Hajj period. To apply for a visa, you must contact the spiritual administrations or offices of licensed companies Russian authorities to engage in the activities of organizing hajj trips. When issuing such a visa, the KSA embassy does not charge consular fees.
Another type of "pilgrimage" visa is a visa for "Umrah" (small pilgrimage). The Saudi Embassy issues such a visa every year from the month of Safar Hijri until the middle of the month of Ramadan. When issuing the embassy also does not charge consular fees.
In exceptional cases, entry visas are provided directly at the airport. At the same time, entry visas are issued by the duty officer of the airport passport control service only on the basis of a telegram or a written instruction sent by the relevant departments of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the KSA. Issuance of a visa at the airport is carried out only on the Saudi initiative.
In connection with the existing visa-free system of entry into the country of citizens of the countries of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf (GCC), three corridors have been allocated in the passport control zone: for employees of diplomatic missions, citizens of the GCC states (including Saudis), as well as for foreign citizens of other states . At all checkpoints for Muslim women, who are required by Islamic law to cover their faces, there are special rooms in which female employees of the passport and visa control service carry out identification, after which a stamp is affixed to the passport.
Passport control of passengers leaving the country is carried out in a similar manner. At the same time, data from the “exit card” filled in by the passenger, as well as a computer number affixed to the passport when entering the country, are entered into the airport’s computer system. This enables the passport control officer to verify the data of the “exit card” with the information received by the airport computer system from the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Saudi Arabia. If these data match, and also if there is no travel ban, a border crossing stamp is affixed to the passenger's passport indicating the date of departure and the border point.
In order to more effectively record and control foreigners arriving in the country, all passport and visa control points are equipped with electronic systems for taking fingerprints and photographing the retina. The data is entered into a single database of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Currently, this procedure is carried out only in relation to foreigners receiving a Saudi work visa.
When crossing the land borders of the Kingdom on vehicles, a passport and visa is carried out on the territory of checkpoints. Upon entering the control zone, the driver's documents and the technical passport of the car are checked. All information is entered into a computer system and checked against the records of vehicles that are prohibited from leaving the territory of Saudi Arabia. After checking, the car owner is issued a special form on which all seals and stamps of control services are affixed.
The passport and visa control point is, as a rule, a separate building in which actions are carried out similar to passport control at international airports and seaports. Customs control is carried out in hangar-type buildings, where employees, under the control of customs officers, carry out a complete inspection of the vehicle and cargo. When leaving the checkpoint area, a second check of documents and the correctness of all seals and stamps is carried out.
It should be noted that on the Saudi-Bahraini border for a foreign diplomatic staff there is a simplified procedure for passing through passport, visa and customs control (without getting out of the car). However, in case of any suspicion, the customs authorities may require baggage inspection.
In addition, in May 2008, a new sample entry visa was introduced for foreigners, which is pasted into a foreign passport in the form of a special numbered form.
Crime. In general, Saudi Arabia is considered one of the safest countries in the world. According to the authorities of the country, such a favorable situation has developed historically, thanks to the strict adherence of the kingdom to Sharia law and the observance by its population of the norms and rules of conduct that are prescribed for every devout Muslim.
However, recently Saudi officials have been paying attention to the increased crime rate in the country, which is primarily due to the fact that Saudi Arabia, as a state with a relatively high level life is attractive to people from poor countries in Asia and Africa.
Every year after Hajj and Umrah in KSA remains a large number of illegal immigrants. Getting a pilgrim visa for a Muslim is not difficult, but many of them, having entered the country, stay longer than the due date and. without legal income or the opportunity to get a job, they become potential members of criminal communities that draw them into their illegal activities.
Due to the fact that the vast majority of pilgrims come to the shrines of Mecca and Medina through the seaport of the city of Jeddah, the airports of Jeddah and Medina, as well as the northern and northeastern borders with Jordan and Iraq, the area of criminal activity is initially concentrated in this region, spreading then to the rest of the cities of KSA.
The peculiarity of the local criminal world is that. That he is a conglomerate of criminal gangs with a pronounced ethnic character.
Thus, criminal groups from the countries of black Africa, which are represented primarily by immigrants from Nigeria, Mali and Niger, specialize in robbery, kidnapping for ransom, racketeering and financial scams. There are also criminal communities from Sudan, Ethiopia, Eritrea and Somalia.
The sphere of criminal activity of gangs from the South and South-East Asia(immigrants from India, Bangladesh, Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia) are bootlegging, prostitution, distribution of drugs, production of counterfeit products (game, music and video discs, including pornographic content).
It is also worth noting crimes related to smuggling from Yemen. The transparency of the Saudi-Yemeni border, its passage through the desert and mountainous terrain, as well as the migration of local tribes - all this creates favorable conditions for large-scale smuggling of weapons into the KSA, explosives, drugs, alcohol and other goods.
Consular Section of the Embassy of the Russian Federation in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
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