Sharia Laws In Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia is one of largest Muslim populated Countries in the world, which follows the Islamic culture. The laws are called “Laws of God”, which are apparently interpreted from the Quran. The “Laws of God” is also known as the Sharia laws. The Sharia laws have great impact on Saudi Arabian women, Muslim citizens and Non-Muslim expatiates. Women of Saudi Arabia have limited rights based on the countries Islamic beliefs. However, they are gradually making progress to uplifting some restrictions. Muslim citizens have rigorous rules set in place as well. Furthermore, Non- Muslim citizens are stripped of their rights to Freedom of Religion.

Saudi Arabian women have many rules to follow. For instance, the women do not have the right to drive.

Saudi Arabia’s conservative religious establishment continue to oppose allowing women the right to drive, arguing that it would undermine social values “("Saudi Arabia: End Driving Ban for Women." Human Rights Watch. 24 Oct. 2013. Web. 30 Aug. 2015)”. In addition, women have a certain dress code to adhere to. Some women wear the hijab because they believe that God has instructed women to wear it as a means of fulfilling His commandment for modesty “("Arabs in America." Arabs in America. Web. 3 Sept. 2015.)”. On the contrary, not all impacts on Saudi Arabian women are negative. It was announced on August 22, 2015 that women can now register to vote. In my opinion, this change has no direct impact on me, but as for political affairs across the world this is a tremendous victory. With changes like this, we may in time unite as one world and pass no judgement onto someone else’s religious or spiritual beliefs.
Muslim citizens have many restrictions on their day to day living. For example, they cannot consume alcohol or eat pork. Many have said that the Quran does not specifically mention that you cannot eat pork or drink alcohol. In addition, men and women are kept segregated. Apparently, this is to keep the women pure and to prevent unfaithfulness outside a marriage. Furthermore, Muslim citizens are only able to practice the Islamic religion. If they were to convert to another religion, it would be punishable by death unless they recant. This is because Saudi Arabia hold strong to their values and principles of the Islamic customs.
Non-Muslim expatiates must respect the Islamic beliefs.

For instance, Saudi’s take their religion very seriously. They cannot practice or display their religion in public, unless in their home. In addition, non-Muslim expats are not permitted to enter the two holiest cities in Saudi Arabia, which are Mecca and Medina. This could lead to severe punishment under the Sharia laws. Also, the largest recognized holiday in Saudi Arabia is Ramadan. This when Prophet Muhammed publicized the Quran. Expats are to follow the fasting rules while in public to show respect. Furthermore, in my past experiences while living in Toronto, I was exposed to numerous religions. The Muslim people that I met throughout my time there, showed the utmost respect to someone’s spiritual beliefs, regardless if it was Catholic, Hindu, Lutheran and more. With observing this kind of behavior from the Muslim population, it gave me a clearer understanding that one must respect their beliefs when visiting their sacred land.

The role of religion in Saudi Arabia has several impacts on women citizens, Muslim citizens and expatiates. With taking this World Religion course it will give me the foundation to have a better understanding of religions in the world and to guide me to find my own spiritual path. The important thing for understanding is to look behind the form of the practice and see what the “message behind the message” is “(Ellwood, Robert S., and Barbara A. McGraw. Many Peoples, Many Faiths: Women and Men in the World Religions. 10th ed. Upper Saddle River, N.J.: Prentice Hall. 2014 10

print.)”.