A Brief History of Saudi Arabia"In recent years Saudi Arabia has experienced changes that have both altered the internal structure of the country and affected its foreign relations. Women have gained additional civil rights; the educational system has been overhauled in an attempt to generate a skilled workforce that can enter the competitive global market; and international concern regarding terrorists within Saudi Arabia's borders has prompted an aggressive response from King Abdullah." "Yet despite economic, social, and political improvements, the country still faces turmoil from continued conflict in the Middle East. And as the birthplace of Islam, Saudi Arabia must find a way to balance its religious authority with the demands of a modern society. From Saudi Arabia's pre-Islamic history to the events of today, A Brief History of Saudi Arabia, Second Edition offers a balanced, informative perspective on the country's long history." "Coverage includes" "--Pre-Islamic Arabia" "-Bedouin society and culture" "-The birth and spread of Islam" "-The development of and philosophy behind Wahhabism" "-The origins of the House of Saud" "-Saudi Arabia's role in the Middle East" "-Saudi Arabia's relationship to the United States" "-The battle between conservative and progressive elements in the monarchy today" "-The reign of King Abdullah" "Basic facts, a chronology, a bibliography, and a list of suggested reading make up the appendixes."--BOOK JACKET |
Contents
Arabia The Land and Its PreIslamic History | 1 |
The Birth of Islam | 24 |
The Islamic Empire and Arabia | 47 |
The Golden Age of Islam | 73 |
The Mamluks the Ottomans and the WahhabiAl Saud Alliance | 93 |
The First Saudi State | 117 |
Roots of Modern Arabia | 143 |
Unity and Independence | 164 |
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Common terms and phrases
Abbasids Abdullah agreement allies Arab army attack authority battle became Bedouin began border British brought caliph called campaign century claimed continued Council created crown death decade defeated Diriya early east efforts Egypt Egyptian emir Empire established Faisal forces foreign Gulf Hanbali Hijaz holy Ibn Saud important influence internal Iraq Islamic Israel killed King kingdom known Kuwait land later leader leading major March Mecca Medina military million minister Muhammad Muslims Najd officials Ottoman peace peninsula percent Persian political population position president Prince Province Quran raids Rashidis reform region reign relations religious remained returned Riyadh rule ruler Saud’s Saudi Arabia sent sharif Shia sought Syria territory throughout tion took trade tribal tribes troops United Wahhabi West women