{ Saudi Arabia }

The culture of Saudi Arabia is defined by its Islamic

heritage, its historical role as an ancient trade centre, and its
Bedouin traditions.
- geographically the fifth-largest state in Asia
- the only nation with both a Red Sea coast and a Persian Gulf coast
and most of its terrain consists of arid desert and mountains.
- called "the Land of the Two Holy Mosques" in reference to Al-Masjid al-
Haram (in Mecca) and Al-Masjid an-Nabawi (in Medina), the two
holiest places in Islam
- the world's largest oil producer and exporter, controlling the world's
second largest oil reserves and the sixth largest gas reserve
- active member of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation

Green, a colour associated with the Prophet Muhammad and Islam with
the Shahada or Muslim testament of faith

"There is no god but God;

Muhammad is the Messenger of
God"
 Major Celebrations

 Eid ul-Fitr – marking the end of Ramadan.

 Eid ul-Adha – the ‘day of sacrifice’ this day marks the end of the Hajj pilgrimage and also the

day an animal is sacrificed in honour of Abraham.

 23rd September – Saudi national day

Economy

 Oil is Saudi Arabia’s number one earner since discovery.

 Prior to the discovery of oil Saudi Arabia produced all its staple foods such as coffee, tea,

sugar, rice, cloth, etc. Exports consisted of dates, camels, horses and sheep.

 Saudi Arabia also receives a modest income from its religious tourism to Makkah and

Medina and annually through the hajj pilgrimage.

Food

 ‘Kapsa/Kabsa’ - consisting of rice with a roasted meat (lamb, camel or chicken)

 The traditional foods - dates, goat, camel, milk, cheese, bread and other foods from
wheat, millet, and barley as well as some basic vegetable and herbs such as mint,
coriander, parsley, and cumin.
Communication style

 tempered to follow Sunnah, the example of the Prophet

Muhammad.

 Good friends may greet each other with a handshake and a

then kiss on each cheek, sometimes three.

Dress

The predominantly loose and flowing, but covering, garments are suited to Saudi
Arabia's desert climate.
- Ghutrah is a traditional headdress typically worn by Arab men. It is made of a
square of cloth ("scarf"), usually cotton, folded and wrapped in various styles
around the head. It is commonly worn in areas with an arid climate, to provide
protection from direct sun exposure, and also protection of the mouth and eyes
from blown dust and sand.
- Thawb is the standard Arabic word for garment. It is ankle-length, usually with
long sleeves, similar to a robe.
- Abaya is a women's garment. It is a black cloak which loosely covers the entire
body except the head. Some women choose to cover their faces with a niqāb
Famous Attractions
Al-Masjid an-Nabawi
- a huge mosque originally built by the prophet
Muhammad & his tomb.

Great Mosque of Mecca

- the Grand Mosque, is the largest mosque in the World, and
surrounds Islam's holiest place, the Kaaba
-Muslims face in the Qiblah while performing Salah

Mount Arafat
-known as the Mount of Mercy. Where Adam and Eve
landed from heaven

Burj Rafal
- a skyscraper hotel in Riyadh.
- it has 70 floors and 350 rooms

King Abdullah Park

-Big city park with 12-m. walkways, play & sports areas &
daily dancing water fountain displays.