Saudi ArabiaCulture

Catherine MendezHistory 5

ReligionO The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

is an Islamic theocratic monarchy in which Islam is the official religion.

O The law of Saudi Arabia requires that all Saudi citizens be Muslims; the Saudi Committee for the Propagation of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice restricts public practice of non-Muslim religions.

O The government of Saudi Arabia does not provide legal recognition for freedom of religion; therefore, Saudi culture lacks the diversity of religious expression, buildings, annual festivals and public events that is seen in countries where religious freedom is permitted.

DressO Saudi Arabian dress follows the

principles of hijab, which is the Islamic principle of modesty.

O Dress most often depends on gender:O Men usually wear an ankle-

length shirt, known as a thawb; with a ghutra, a plain white square made of cotton held in place by a cord worn on the head.

O Women’s clothes are usually decorated with coins, sequins, and metallic threads. Women are accustomed to wearing an abaya, niqab, or burqa when in public that covers their body in order to ensure the principles of the hijab.

FoodO Islamic dietary laws prohibit the

eating of pork and the drinking of alcohol.

O The most popular food in Saudi Arabia is kabsa, which is rice and meat. Khubz, a type of arabic bread, is eaten with almost all meals.

O Other types of food include lamb, grilled chicken, falafel (deep-friend chickpea balls), and Fulmedames ( a paste of fava beans, garlic, and lemon).

O Arabic tea is a famous custom which is consumed in both casual and formal meetings with friends, family, and strangers.

SourcesO Wikipedia: Culture of Saudi Arabiahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Culture_of_Saudi_ArabiaO Wikipedia: Committee for the Promotion of Virtue and

the Prevention of Vice (Saudi Arabia)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Committee_for_the_Promotion_of_Virtue_and_the_Prevention_of_Vice_(Saudi_Arabia)O Wikipedia: Thawbhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ThawbO Wikipedia: Niqabhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Niqab#Saudi_ArabiaO Wikipedia: Kabsahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kabsa