Wahhabism, it is one of two main reasons for the existence and arguable survival of The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in its infancy. Though, maybe the term Wahhabism is rather controversial and offensive. Having observed the reactions in our interactions here in The Kingdom. If we look back on the roots of the Nation it is easy to see where the term came from, Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab, who along with, Al Saud, formed the Saudi State we know today. Saud being the military/government and Wahab being the religious leader. The idea of Wahhabism only has been an especially touchy subject for the people of Saudi Arabia in recent years. The subsequent rejection of the label thus far by some of the officials and local people that I have encountered has been intriguing but not unexpected. Most have refused the label outright while others acknowledged its origins in Abd Al Wahab’s teachings but still refused to suggest that there’s a distinction between Islam and Wahhabism and that this is just as Islam is. Though, I think that gets into an interesting facet of the debate, because when we bring into the folds, other interpretations of Islam such as Shia’s vs Sunni, Salafism vs Sufism, Alawite and all the many different sub orientations. I have come to think that in saying that, these other interpretations are not “true Islam” as one man I spoke to said, is part of the Wahabi mentality itself.

So, what does that mean for the Saudi Arabia today? I personally believe that the denial of this subdivision is problematic because it fails to acknowledge the relationship between Wahhabism and extremism. Whether that relationship is supportive or antagonistic. It must be acknowledged as having relationship to these extremist ideologies which was covered in the talk by Dr. Abdullah bin Khaled Al- Saud, though he too denied Wahhabism in a more eloquent way, it was denial none the less. I would be very interested in reading his new research on the joining of terrorist organizations to better understand the connection between ideological links.

I think that in the future with Vision 2030 looming in the minds of everyone and the attempts at opening/liberalizing society will change the relationship with Islam in the kingdom. As of right now, with the shift in ideas in the government, focusing on opening economically specifically, and creation of a tourism visa; I believe there will be a not so subtle push towards opening society. This will be even further supported by locals in my belief once they get more defiant tourists as far as conservatism is concerned which to my limited knowledge of Wahhabism, encourages. Though, I admit the future of Saudi Arabia is one that is hard to predict because, it is in the hands of a single man, Crown Prince Mohamed Bin Salman. To finish I acknowledge that this may all be entirely wrong and off-putting, but this is my mostly uneducated opinion.

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My name is Michael Gallagher I study Arabic and Middle Eastern Studies and International Relations at McDaniel College. My main purpose for coming on the Gateway KSA Trip was to experience a culture entirely different from my own and attempting to see a society which is demonized in my own country in an unbiased refreshing way. I think it's important to subject myself to new experiences and this offered a unique and convenient opportunity to do so.