Religious securitisation and institutionalised sectarianism in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

The events of Arab Spring that swept across the Middle East have altered the face of domestic politics within Arab states, spurring a rise in Shia/ Sunni sectarianism across the region. Yet, to view sectarianism as an inevitable outcome ignores the fact that both factions have lived together peacefully in the past. This article employs securitisation to interrogate the construction of Shi'ism as a societal threat in Saudi Arabia. It addresses two questions: first, what empirical insight can the framework provide regarding the religious securitisation of Shi'ism by Saudi Arabia? Next, what are the implications of the securitisation discourse on the Shi'a minority and the wider Saudi society? Theoretically, this article engages with contemporary debates concerning Eurocentric aspects of securitisation and the concept of religious securitisation. Empirically, it argues that the Saudi state has instrumentally securitised Shi'ism to curb the perceived threat from Iran. Crucially, it analyses how the securitisation discourse has justified institutionalised discrimination against the Shi'a minority, and shows how this has unleashed centrifugal trajectories that undermine societal stability. This has unfolded in an empirical cycle of violence, as Sunni citizens become normalised to violence against the Shi'a, spurring the minority to mount an increasingly violent campaign of resistance.

Factors Determining the State Behavior of Saudi Arabia as a Regional Power

“…These minorities are prohibited from expressing their beliefs and are even threatened with death penalty. This situation can be attributed to the securitization of religion in Saudi Arabia, where the state has institutionalized sectarianism, particularly emphasizing Sunni Islam while marginalizing other religious groups (Neo, 2020). The governance structure in Saudi Arabia has been closely intertwined with religion, leading to a system where religious principles heavily influence state policies and practices (Al-Atawneh, 2009).…”

All About Iraq: Re-Modifying Older Slogans and Chants in Tishreen [October] Protests

“…Raising this slogan for the first time marked a crucial change in protests movements’ demands, departing from previous calls for mere reform (Nadhmi, 2020). It seemed that the new rhetoric prompted authorities to securitise the protestors as a threat (Neo, 2020) and alienate them from Iraqis. For this purpose, the spontaneous and peaceful protest was met with ‘deadly force’ using snipers, live fire and a campaign of harassment and intimidation (Amnesty International, 2019a).…”

Pakistan’s representation of transboundary water as a security issue

“…In both religious and secular contexts, this attests to the power of incremental practices that, over time, can entrench certain behaviour and condition citizens to accept social outcomes that may be perceived by outsiders as normatively unjust or wrong (Neo, 2020). Outside the West, non-state actors such as religious leaders may be considered powerful, authoritative speakers.…”