Anti-Saudi sentiment
Anti-Saudi sentiment refers to the historical and current resentment towards Saudi Arabia, Saudis, or Culture of Saudi Arabia. It's also called as Saudiophobia.
Anti-Saudi sentiment has been expressed and widely practiced among other countries in the world, which has shown a great disapproval of what Saudi Arabia is doing. Some reasons leading to anti-Saudi sentiment include human rights abuse, censorship, terrorism and more specifically, Salafism. Many countries, including Muslim ones, have long viewed Saudi Arabia as an evil oasis which is the cause of global terrorism and fear in the world.
History
In the 19th century, after the First Saudi State was demolished by the Ottoman Empire in the Wahhabi War, the Ottomans accused the Saud family of religious terrorism and intolerance, and had executed a number of Saudi religious leaders.[1] This was the first time anti-Saudi sentiment was directly demonstrated. Due to the Saudis being majority followers of Wahhabism, an extreme version of Islam, this gave birth to the modern anti-Saudi sentiment.
Since the 20th century and the booming of the oil industry, Saudi Arabia became the world's largest oil producer and is one of the richest countries in the world. Using money from producing oil, Saudi Arabia began a series of Salafization processes, funding, building and establishing Salafi-based institutions and mosques not just in the Muslim world, but also in non-Muslim countries. As a result, Saudi Arabia-funded institutions were thought to have given birth to Islamic terrorism[2] which led to growing criticism from not just the non-Muslim world, but even from Muslim states which accused Saudi Arabia of being the cause of spreading terrorism, thus marking the height of Saudiophobia, despite Saudi efforts to whitewash its image.[3]
Anti-Saudi sentiment also stemmed from many Muslim countries that view Saudi Arabia as a "Zionist entity" allying with Israel and causing destabilization across other Muslim nations, and Zionism is also frequently used to connect Saudi Arabia as an ally of Israel and a traitor to Islam, worsening the perception of Saudi Arabia.[4] Some believe that, if not for Saudi Arabia, Islam would not be hated so much today and Islamophobia was the result of Saudi terrorism.
By countries
Muslim world
In Muslim countries, with the exception of the Gulf states (outside Qatar), most Muslim countries hold Saudi Arabia responsible for the corruption of Islam, its betrayal of the Palestinian cause and the rise of global Islamophobia, blaming Saudi Arabia for all the problems in the Islamic world.
Egypt
Gamal Abdel Nasser, Egypt's first President, stated that "A shoe has more honor than the Crown of Saudi Arabia" and condemned Saudi Arabia for its hypocrisies.[5]
Many Egyptians also hold strong disdain against Saudi Arabia, accusing it of being the source of all terrorism in the world, since Saudi Arabia had refused to support Egypt in its conflicts with Israel and furthermore, sided with anti-Egyptian forces in the North Yemen Civil War.[6] Many Egyptians also believe Saudi Arabia is responsible for the corruption of Islam in Egypt and the spread of intolerance, due to its backing for Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, the current military dictator of Egypt.[7] Egypt also refused to back the Saudi-led anti-Iranian coalition in fear that Saudi Arabia might use Egypt as a shield for its interests, further highlighting the fear of Saudi interference in Egypt.[8]
Algeria
Many Algerians believe Saudi Arabia was directly responsible for the Algerian Civil War, and the spread of terrorism in Algeria dates back to Saudi Arabia's role in sponsoring Islamists, many of whom became radicalized and formed the core of Al-Qaeda.[9]
Thus, in Algeria, depictions of Saudis have centered around the fact that Saudi Arabia is a terrorist and dangerous country with unrestrained terrorism, leading to a growing wave of anti-Saudi sentiment, especially since the Mohammed Bin Salman era.[10]
Afghanistan
Ahmad Shah Massoud, who fought the Afghan Civil War, stated that Saudi Arabia was the reason why Taliban could sustain such a long war, and called for war against Saudi Arabia and its interests because of Saudi terrorist ideology.[11][12] Many Afghans also harbor disdain against Saudi Arabia because of terrorism in the country.[13]
Iraq
Iraq has long-standing tensions toward Saudi Arabia, dating back to the 1950s. However, it only exploded during the Gulf War, when Iraq launched a military invasion against Kuwait, an ally of Saudi Arabia.[14] Saddam Hussein had called for war against Saudi Arabia, accusing the state of being infidels who stabbed Iraq in the back.[15]
In modern times, Saudi Arabia is still depicted negatively in Iraq, with many Iraqis believing the rise of Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant as well as other terrorist groups, are the work of Saudi clergy and Islamic institutions.[16][17]
Palestine
For Palestinians, accusations against Saudi Arabia have been mostly directed toward Saudi Arabia's close relationship with Israel, which is regarded as an enemy by many Palestinians.[18]
After Saudi blogger and a government supporter, Mohammed Saud, arrived in Israel in accordance with boosting Saudi–Israeli relations, Palestinians reacted furiously and considered it an act of Saudi hypocrisy, the worst thing Saudi Arabia could do.[19]
Turkey
Turkey has one of the least favorable views toward Saudi Arabia among Muslim countries, and this stemmed from the Ottoman past when the Ottomans destroyed the First Saudi State and beheaded many Saudi leaders.[20] For this reason, Saudi Arabia has always been perceived negatively by the Turks.
Another evidence of growing hostility against Saudis among Turks came from the Saudi attempt to erase the Ottoman past,[21] its authoritarianism and the lack of respect for women among Saudis in Turkey. Some Turks also believe the Saudis have been supported by the West to promote terrorism, further straining relations between Turks and Saudis. Racism against Saudis is widespread in Turkey.[22]
Iran
Iran and Saudi Arabia have a long history of antagonism against each other. While it was rooted in the history of Arab conquest, it became tense since the Iranian Revolution and Iranian desire to expand its revolution to other Muslim countries.[23]
In Iran, regardless of the position of the Iranian Government and Iranian people, both share a similar hostility against Saudi Arabia. While the Islamic regime of Iran considers Saudi Arabia a Western stooge, infidel and un-Islamic;[24] the Iranian population regards Saudi Arabia as the source of global terrorism and its hawkish desire to create war against Iran. It is mingled together to create a nationalist and Islamist frontier and Saudi Arabia became a scapegoat by Iranian hardliners.[25]
Tunisia
Many Tunisians have long disapproved of Saudi influence and its regime, considering it a terrible government. Furthermore, Tunisia is supportive of the Arab Spring movement which started from Tunisia, while Saudi Arabia is hostile against it, thus leading to growing tensions between Tunisia and Saudi Arabia.[26]
Tunisians objected to Mohammed Bin Salman's visit in 2018, considering it a human rights violation and a direct fear of growing Saudi meddling in Tunisian affairs.[27]
Yemen
There is a long-standing tension between Saudi Arabia and Yemen, in particular after the Yemeni war with Saudi Arabia in 1934. Some Yemeni nationalists believe they are the rightful owners of Najran, Asir and Jizan; the Saudis were foreigners who stole their ancestral lands. This gave birth to anti-Saudi sentiment in Yemen.[28][29] This, in particular, has also been seen from the Houthi movement, a Zaydi Shi'a-based movement mingled with Yemeni nationalism that desires to redraw the border and reclaim its territories from Saudi Arabia.[30] It became frequent since the Yemeni Civil War and subsequent Saudi air raids against the Houthis.
Syria
There is also a strong anti-Saudi sentiment in Syria, in particular since the Syrian Civil War, although it dated back to the 20th century.[31] Saudi Arabia armed and trained the army of the Free Syrian Army in hope of expelling the forces loyal to dictator Bashar al-Assad, but because of its alignment with ISIS funding, Saudi Arabia became the target for all calamities in Syria.
Due to terrorist bases in Syria having links with Saudi Arabia, U.S. Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard accused Saudi Arabia of terrorizing Syria and arming ISIS, and demanded Saudi Arabia leave Syria.[32]
Qatar
Qatar and Saudi Arabia were once aligned until 2017 when Saudi Arabia cut ties with Qatar and ignited regional tensions. Due to this, hostility against Saudis increased among Qataris, who saw Saudi Arabia as a traitor working in greed of interests disregarding Gulf unity.[33]
Anti-Saudi postures are increasingly found in Qatari-backed media and propaganda, which is a result of the restless tensions between the two states.[34]
Morocco
Although Saudi Arabia and Morocco have good relations, Moroccans have long been cautious of Saudi influence because of its Salafism. Saudi Arabia has always been distrusted by Moroccan nationalists, ranging from its Islamic doctrine, its terrorism, Palestine and Arab disunity. However, it peaked in 2017 when Saudi Arabia, displeased with Morocco's neutrality over Qatar, began broadcasting media disregarding Moroccan territorial control over Western Sahara, refusing to back Morocco in the 2026 FIFA World Cup bids and warming relations with rival Algeria.[35] This increased hostility against Saudis and Moroccans chanted anti-Saudi jeers and booed the Saudi anthem during the 2018 FIFA World Cup.[36]
Rest of the world
Like many Muslim countries, non-Muslim nations view Saudi Arabia with great disdain due to human rights issues, its terrorist background and oil money. Negative views about Saudi Arabia frequently range from political bribery to the killing of dissidents, as well as terrorism and Salafist funding crackdowns.
United States
Although a strong ally of Saudi Arabia, the majority of Americans dislike Saudi Arabia. Many Americans believed Saudi Arabia was behind the September 11 attack.[37] While the U.S. Government, especially under Donald Trump, has sought to preserve this relationship, anti-Saudi measures have been passed several times in the United States Congress as a response to ongoing Saudi terrorist links and destabilization in the region.[38]
Australia
Many Australians view Saudis as uneducated, uncivilized, immoral, terrorists and incapable, as demonstrated by their disrespectful behavior during the 2018 World Cup qualification encounter between the two nations when the host offered one minute of silence for victims of the 2017 London Bridge attack.[39]
See also
References
- ↑ Elizabeth Sirriyeh, Salafies, "Unbelievers and the Problems of Exclusivism". Bulletin (British Society for Middle Eastern Studies), Vol. 16, No. 2. (1989), pp. 123-132. (Text online at JSTOR)
- ↑ "It's Time for Saudi Arabia to Stop Exporting Extremism".
- ↑ "Evidence of Financial Links Between Saudi Royal Family and al Qaeda".
- ↑ "How Zionism helped create the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia - TMV". 3 November 2017.
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3YA96PG9Opc
- ↑ "Egypt-Saudi relations: An ending equilibrium?".
- ↑ "Understanding Recent Egypt-Saudi Tensions". 25 October 2016.
- ↑ "Exclusive: Egypt withdraws from U.S.-led anti-Iran security initiative - sources". Reuters. 11 April 2019.
- ↑ "Calvert on Martinez, 'The Algerian Civil War, 1990-1998' | H-Africa | H-Net".
- ↑ https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/global-opinions/wp/2018/11/30/mohammed-bin-salmans-visit-to-algeria-will-be-an-insult-to-the-nations-history/
- ↑ "The Brave Life and Tragic Death of Afghanistan's Lion of the Panjshir".
- ↑ "Ahmad Shah Massoud: The man who saw tomorrow".
- ↑ https://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13980505001075
- ↑ "Iraq invades Kuwait".
- ↑ Burns, John F. (24 September 1990). "Confrontation in the Gulf; Iraqis Threaten to Attack Saudis and Israelis if Nation is 'Strangled' by Embargo". The New York Times.
- ↑ Hegghammer, Thomas (12 June 2008). "Saudis in Iraq: Patterns of Radicalization and Recruitment". Cultures & Conflits.
- ↑ https://www.washingtoninstitute.org/uploads/Documents/infographics/Islamic-State-of-Iraq-and-al-Sham-ISIS-Funding.pdf
- ↑ "Saudi Arabia, Israel and the Palestinian Authority".
- ↑ "'Go pray in the Knesset,' Palestinians tell Saudi on Israeli-sponsored visit".
- ↑ "Turkey's 200-Year War against 'ISIS'". 24 July 2015.
- ↑ "Turkophobia is behind the Saudi-washing of Ottoman history".
- ↑ Solomon, Esther (16 July 2019). "Palestinians Were Spared Turkey's Rising anti-Arab Hate. Until Now". Haaretz.
- ↑ Emadi, Hafizullah (1995). "Exporting Iran's Revolution: The Radicalization of the Shiite Movement in Afghanistan". Middle Eastern Studies. 31 (1): 1–12. doi:10.1080/00263209508701037. JSTOR 4283695.
- ↑ Marcus, Jonathan (16 September 2019). "Why Saudi Arabia and Iran are bitter rivals". BBC News.
- ↑ "Four reasons Iran attacked Saudi Arabia". 16 September 2019.
- ↑ "Saudis and Emiratis foiled Arab Spring dreams – Tunisia's ex-president".
- ↑ "Tunisian activists protest against Saudi Crown prince visit". Reuters. 27 November 2018.
- ↑ "Saudi Arabia's War with the Houthis: Old Borders, New Lines".
- ↑ "Is Najran the Saudi Frontline in its Failing Yemen War, or its Achilles Heel?". 9 October 2019.
- ↑ "Houthis carry out raid in Saudi's Jizan region". 13 September 2019.
- ↑ "Saudi Arabia's Motives in the Syrian Civil War | Middle East Policy Council".
- ↑ "Stop Arming Terrorists".
- ↑ Pinnell, Owen (3 June 2018). "The online war between Qatar and Saudi Arabia". BBC News.
- ↑ "Al Qarni exposed Doha's anti-Saudi posture".
- ↑ "Morocco-Saudi relations: Trouble amongst royals?". March 2019.
- ↑ https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/2018/06/248551/world-cup-moroccan-fans-boo-saudi-fans-insult-turki-al-sheikh/
- ↑ "US to reveal Saudi official allegedly tied to 9/11 attackers | Saudi Arabia News | al Jazeera".
- ↑ "US House overwhelmingly approves anti-Saudi measures | News | al Jazeera".
- ↑ https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/jun/08/saudi-arabia-footballers-ignore-minutes-silence-for-london-attack-victims
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