Racism in Saudi Arabia

Racism in Saudi Arabia extends to allegations of imprisonment, physical abuse, rape,^[1] overwork and wage theft, especially of foreign workers who are given little protections under the law.

Groups

Foreign workers

Human Rights Watch (HRW) describes the working conditions of foreign workers, most of whom come from developing countries in South Asia, as "near-slavery" and attributes them to "deeply rooted gender, religious, and racial discrimination". Workers are often unwilling to report their employers for fear of losing their jobs or further abuse.^[2]

Historically urbanized Saudi citizens of non-Bedouin origins

Saudi citizens of non-Bedouin origins (Hadar) face discrimination. These include multi-ethnic citizens from Medina and Taif in the Hijaz area, and from Jeddah, Mecca, and Yanbu in the Tihamah area. The diversity of these areas is in part because it had trade with the outside world. Saudi Bedouins call Saudis of non-Bedouin origins tarsh bahar (sea-traveler), a term that dates back to the fall of the kingdom of Hejaz. The "Hadar", known for their distinctive dialect, considered themselves more sophisticated and civilized, while the Bedouin conquerors saw themselves as racially pure. Hijzies sometimes answer back by simply calling Bedouins "Soroob", (backward, or savage). Non-Bedouins are not usually allowed into the military services, with exceptions. Saudi Arabia has no laws against racism.

Other forms of discrimination

Religious or sectarian

Religion belief is often a basis of discrimination in Saudi Arabia, most prominently the discrimination against the Shia sect of Islam minority in the Eastern and southern regions of Saudi. The Shia are not allowed to join the military, and forbidden to hold key positions in government. This is in contrast with Hadar who have a long tradition of holding key positions in the government, dating back to the early days of the Saudi conquest of the Kingdom of Hejaz. The Sufi sects of Sunni Islam present in Tihamah and Hijaz are not exempt from scrutiny from the strict mainstream Wahhabi sect. Although there is a discrimination against non-Muslims (usually Western foreigners, Jews, Christians, etc), in general this goes unnoticed as these cases are relatively uncommon compared to those of other minorities.

Antisemitism

In Saudi Arabia, antisemitism is common. Saudi Arabian media often attacks Jews in books, news articles and with what some describe as antisemitic satire. Saudi Arabian government officials and state religious leaders often promote the idea that Jews are conspiring to take over the entire world; as proof of their claims they publish and frequently cite the fictional work, The Protocols of the Elders of Zion as factual. ^[3][4][5]

Tribalism

Tribalism, when members of a tribe aid each other in preference to members of other tribes, is endemic in Saudi Arabia.

Racism in media

Racism or Tribalism of any kind is prohibited in Saudi media. Violators are punished and may be banned from media platforms. Recently King Salman's nephew was banned from media after referring to an individual as "tarsh bahar" during a call to a sports program.

References