Language in Saudi Arabia
The official language in Saudi Arabia is Arabic; however, English is also widely spoken. The language English is used in business and is the secondary language used in schools. Among the non-Saudi population, many people either speak Urdu, Farsi, or Turkish. The language Arabic is a popular language. It is spoken by almost 200 million in more than 22 countries, and is the language of the Holy Book of Islam, the Qur'an. Arabic is actually one of the nine hardest languages to learn. While spoken Arabic varies and changes from country to country, classical Arabic has not changed for centuries. In Saudi Arabia, there are differences between the dialects spoken in rural areas and those spoken in urban areas.
Religion in Saudi Arabia
In Saudi Arabia, the religion is Islam, where its law requires that all citizens be Muslim. Currently, the government does not legally protect the freedom of religion. Islam is a religion in which gives guided maximum freedom. It is easily followed by everyone, everywhere, everyday. It is the belief that one only believes in one God; to keep up prayers and give eminently in charity; to fast during Ramadhan; and to preform the Hajj (pilgrimage) if affordable. To be Islam, one also is to fight the self through abstinence in order to gain true freedom not only for yourself, but from others; and to believe in the Allah's justice. It forbids; does not allow, evil and tryanny, prohibits consumption of intoxicants and the blood and flesh of swine. It also forbids playing games of chance (example: lottery), committing adultery, etc.
Beliefs and Principals
1. Faith in the Unity of Allah.
2. Belief in the Qur'an as the unadulterated final book of Allah; and in the original versions of the other holy books that were revealed on earth before the Qur'an such as the Psalms, Old Testament, New Testament and the Scriptures.
3. The Shia believe in the divinely appointed Imamate (Leadership) of Muhammad's progeny, about whom Muhammad informed several times during his life – the 11 offspring from his cousin Ali (A.S.) and Ali’s wife (Muhammad's daughter) Bibi Fatima (S.A.), who are the infallible spiritual guides of mankind after Muhammad; the Sunni believe in the Caliphs who were elected to interpret and manage the affairs of Islam by two or three people through a democracy of sorts held immediately after Muhammad’s death.
4. Belief in the finality of Prophet-hood in Muhammad; and in the prophet-hood of the 123,999 other infallible men who were deputed by Allah on earth before Muhammad. These include Adam, Abraham, Noah, David, Moses, Jesus, etc..
5. Belief in Life after death, the Day of Judgement, and in Paradise or Hell.
6. Belief in the existence of Angels.
Demographics
According to estimates, the total Muslim population in the entire world today is about 1.6 billion. The world's greatest Muslim-populous country is Indonesia (around 207 million) with Pakistan following in second (around 160 million). In fact, the entire Muslim population in the Middle East, which is mostly Muslim, is around 275 million. Islam happens to be the fastest growing religion in the world, with estimates that in North America alone, about 100,000 people embrace it every year.
Sports and Recreational Activities
Saudis enjoy a wide variety of leisure activities; where families and friends can relax at hundreds of parks, picnic grounds, campsites, and other facilities throughout the country. Long stretches of the coast line and colorful coral reefs make water sports, or hobbies, such as wind surfing and snorkeling easy to do.
Also, the Kingdom has established a new network of national parks and preserves so that visitors and guests can observe the protected wildlife and ecosystems. In fact, the crown jewel of Saudi Arabia's national parks system is the 1.1 million acre Asir National Park. At Asir National Park, visitors can hike, camp, climb hills, and other outdoor activities in the cool area. The Kingdom's largest preserve is Al-Khunfah, in which visitors can take in and observe the breathtaking views and wildlife such as oryx and gazelles in their natural habitat.
Camping is another very popular activity, or hobby, among the Saudis. Families pitch tents in the middle of the desert, usually along the coast or in one of Kingdom's parks, and then enjoy simply the beauty of nature. These camping trips are most popular during the Eid holidays and for family reunions.
Holidays, Festivals, and Events
In Saudi Arabia, there are many Holiday's, Tradition's, Festivals, and Events that happen year around. For example:
Muharram (1 Muharram) - The Islamic New Year, which is celebrated quietly, which prayers and readings.
Mawlid al-Nabi (12 Rabi 1) - Prophet Muhammad's Birthday, which celebrates the founder of Islam, Muhammad's birthday. It is celebrated cheerfully, along with prayer time.
Eid al-Fitr (1 Shawwal) - The Celebration concluding Ramadan. Ramadan is the month of fasting and praying, which is followed by a Festival, Eid al-Fitr. This is one of the two most important and vital Islamic celebrations. This is a time to re-nourish after Ramadan and dress up, along with communication with friends and family. (has three days)
Eid al-Adha (10 Dhu'l-Hijjah) - The celebration concluding the Hajj, which commemorates the prophet Abraham's willingness to obey Allah by sacrificing his son Ishmael. (has three days)
Foods in Saudi Arabia
The local cuisine in Saudi Arabia is largely based on the style of Arabic food in which is popular in many of the Gulf Countries. This type of food originated from the traditional diet of the Bedouin nomads using ingredients, or materials, that were readily available such as beans, dates, yoghurt, vegetables, rice, wheat, chicken, and lamb. Modern Arabic food also takes influences from Lebanon and Iran, as well as trading partners such as India.
International food such as Chinese and Italian is also available at restaurants in the larger towns and cities. These international foods have been influenced and brought in from the number of foreign nationals working in Saudi Arabia, and those visiting on religious trips as well. In other Muslim countries and some parts of Saudi Arabia, pork and all pork products are never served because it is considered unclean meat. All other meat must meet the requirements of being halal, or from animals that are slaughtered in accordance with the Muslim Law.
Mealtime Customs
Dating all the way back to the Bedouin times, Saudi people traditionally ate lightly in the morning and midday, with a larger meal in the evening. This has changed throughout the years; however, fitting meals in around their work life means that most people follow a similar schedule to the old times. Arabic people traditionally eat sitting cross-legged on the floor on cushions or on carpets, especially for celebrations and feasts. The food is served on large plates and is usually eaten using fingers of the right hand only, no utensils. Hands should be washed both before and after all meals.
Saudi people are very proud of their hospitality, which strongly reflects their Bedouin heritage. People may take offense if food or drink is turned down; eating is considered to be an important social ritual.
Arts and Music
In Saudi Arabia, the arts are very unique and there is a big variety in the concepts both from history to present. For example, architecture plays a big role in the history of the arts. The first mosque of Islam was the house of the Islamic prophet, Mohammed. In it are most important the floor and carpet that are touched in prayer with the head. Visual arts are also very important to the Saudis past in art. In fact, the Wusum are the tribal symbols of Bedouins found as prehistoric art on rocks in the hills and deserts of Saudi Arabia. Nowadays, the Saudis enjoy architecture and painting ceramics and canvas.
Music is also huge in Saudi Arabia. The music varies in every region, for instance; in the Hijaz, the music of the al-sihba combines poetry and songs of Arab Andalusia, while the folk music of Mukkah and Madinah incorporates both local and music influences from other Islam countries.
The official language in Saudi Arabia is Arabic; however, English is also widely spoken. The language English is used in business and is the secondary language used in schools. Among the non-Saudi population, many people either speak Urdu, Farsi, or Turkish. The language Arabic is a popular language. It is spoken by almost 200 million in more than 22 countries, and is the language of the Holy Book of Islam, the Qur'an. Arabic is actually one of the nine hardest languages to learn. While spoken Arabic varies and changes from country to country, classical Arabic has not changed for centuries. In Saudi Arabia, there are differences between the dialects spoken in rural areas and those spoken in urban areas.
Religion in Saudi Arabia
In Saudi Arabia, the religion is Islam, where its law requires that all citizens be Muslim. Currently, the government does not legally protect the freedom of religion. Islam is a religion in which gives guided maximum freedom. It is easily followed by everyone, everywhere, everyday. It is the belief that one only believes in one God; to keep up prayers and give eminently in charity; to fast during Ramadhan; and to preform the Hajj (pilgrimage) if affordable. To be Islam, one also is to fight the self through abstinence in order to gain true freedom not only for yourself, but from others; and to believe in the Allah's justice. It forbids; does not allow, evil and tryanny, prohibits consumption of intoxicants and the blood and flesh of swine. It also forbids playing games of chance (example: lottery), committing adultery, etc.
Beliefs and Principals
1. Faith in the Unity of Allah.
2. Belief in the Qur'an as the unadulterated final book of Allah; and in the original versions of the other holy books that were revealed on earth before the Qur'an such as the Psalms, Old Testament, New Testament and the Scriptures.
3. The Shia believe in the divinely appointed Imamate (Leadership) of Muhammad's progeny, about whom Muhammad informed several times during his life – the 11 offspring from his cousin Ali (A.S.) and Ali’s wife (Muhammad's daughter) Bibi Fatima (S.A.), who are the infallible spiritual guides of mankind after Muhammad; the Sunni believe in the Caliphs who were elected to interpret and manage the affairs of Islam by two or three people through a democracy of sorts held immediately after Muhammad’s death.
4. Belief in the finality of Prophet-hood in Muhammad; and in the prophet-hood of the 123,999 other infallible men who were deputed by Allah on earth before Muhammad. These include Adam, Abraham, Noah, David, Moses, Jesus, etc..
5. Belief in Life after death, the Day of Judgement, and in Paradise or Hell.
6. Belief in the existence of Angels.
Demographics
According to estimates, the total Muslim population in the entire world today is about 1.6 billion. The world's greatest Muslim-populous country is Indonesia (around 207 million) with Pakistan following in second (around 160 million). In fact, the entire Muslim population in the Middle East, which is mostly Muslim, is around 275 million. Islam happens to be the fastest growing religion in the world, with estimates that in North America alone, about 100,000 people embrace it every year.
Sports and Recreational Activities
Saudis enjoy a wide variety of leisure activities; where families and friends can relax at hundreds of parks, picnic grounds, campsites, and other facilities throughout the country. Long stretches of the coast line and colorful coral reefs make water sports, or hobbies, such as wind surfing and snorkeling easy to do.
Also, the Kingdom has established a new network of national parks and preserves so that visitors and guests can observe the protected wildlife and ecosystems. In fact, the crown jewel of Saudi Arabia's national parks system is the 1.1 million acre Asir National Park. At Asir National Park, visitors can hike, camp, climb hills, and other outdoor activities in the cool area. The Kingdom's largest preserve is Al-Khunfah, in which visitors can take in and observe the breathtaking views and wildlife such as oryx and gazelles in their natural habitat.
Camping is another very popular activity, or hobby, among the Saudis. Families pitch tents in the middle of the desert, usually along the coast or in one of Kingdom's parks, and then enjoy simply the beauty of nature. These camping trips are most popular during the Eid holidays and for family reunions.
Holidays, Festivals, and Events
In Saudi Arabia, there are many Holiday's, Tradition's, Festivals, and Events that happen year around. For example:
Muharram (1 Muharram) - The Islamic New Year, which is celebrated quietly, which prayers and readings.
Mawlid al-Nabi (12 Rabi 1) - Prophet Muhammad's Birthday, which celebrates the founder of Islam, Muhammad's birthday. It is celebrated cheerfully, along with prayer time.
Eid al-Fitr (1 Shawwal) - The Celebration concluding Ramadan. Ramadan is the month of fasting and praying, which is followed by a Festival, Eid al-Fitr. This is one of the two most important and vital Islamic celebrations. This is a time to re-nourish after Ramadan and dress up, along with communication with friends and family. (has three days)
Eid al-Adha (10 Dhu'l-Hijjah) - The celebration concluding the Hajj, which commemorates the prophet Abraham's willingness to obey Allah by sacrificing his son Ishmael. (has three days)
Foods in Saudi Arabia
The local cuisine in Saudi Arabia is largely based on the style of Arabic food in which is popular in many of the Gulf Countries. This type of food originated from the traditional diet of the Bedouin nomads using ingredients, or materials, that were readily available such as beans, dates, yoghurt, vegetables, rice, wheat, chicken, and lamb. Modern Arabic food also takes influences from Lebanon and Iran, as well as trading partners such as India.
International food such as Chinese and Italian is also available at restaurants in the larger towns and cities. These international foods have been influenced and brought in from the number of foreign nationals working in Saudi Arabia, and those visiting on religious trips as well. In other Muslim countries and some parts of Saudi Arabia, pork and all pork products are never served because it is considered unclean meat. All other meat must meet the requirements of being halal, or from animals that are slaughtered in accordance with the Muslim Law.
Mealtime Customs
Dating all the way back to the Bedouin times, Saudi people traditionally ate lightly in the morning and midday, with a larger meal in the evening. This has changed throughout the years; however, fitting meals in around their work life means that most people follow a similar schedule to the old times. Arabic people traditionally eat sitting cross-legged on the floor on cushions or on carpets, especially for celebrations and feasts. The food is served on large plates and is usually eaten using fingers of the right hand only, no utensils. Hands should be washed both before and after all meals.
Saudi people are very proud of their hospitality, which strongly reflects their Bedouin heritage. People may take offense if food or drink is turned down; eating is considered to be an important social ritual.
Arts and Music
In Saudi Arabia, the arts are very unique and there is a big variety in the concepts both from history to present. For example, architecture plays a big role in the history of the arts. The first mosque of Islam was the house of the Islamic prophet, Mohammed. In it are most important the floor and carpet that are touched in prayer with the head. Visual arts are also very important to the Saudis past in art. In fact, the Wusum are the tribal symbols of Bedouins found as prehistoric art on rocks in the hills and deserts of Saudi Arabia. Nowadays, the Saudis enjoy architecture and painting ceramics and canvas.
Music is also huge in Saudi Arabia. The music varies in every region, for instance; in the Hijaz, the music of the al-sihba combines poetry and songs of Arab Andalusia, while the folk music of Mukkah and Madinah incorporates both local and music influences from other Islam countries.