Death ride on Christmas market: Saudi Arabia: the birthplace of Islam

Saudi Arabia, the homeland of the Magdeburg death driver, Taleb A., is the birthplace of Islam with the cities of Mecca and Medina, which are important for Muslims. Since 1932, the desert state on the Arabian Peninsula has been run as an absolute monarchy by the Al-Saud family. With Wahhabism, a conservative, puritanical interpretation of Islam was established in the country and strict rules were imposed on women in particular. Despite some relaxations, such as lifting a driving ban for women and allowing forms of entertainment such as cinema and concerts again, the situation for women’s and human rights remains very poor.

Since its emergence, Islam has given rise to a variety of currents. Just a few years after the death of the founder of the religion, Mohammed, in 632, the first split of the Muslim community (Umma) into Sunnis and Shiites occurred. The trigger was a dispute over the successor to the prophet. The majority of Saudis are Sunni Muslims, with a Shiite minority living in the east of the country. There are repeated reports of discrimination against Shiites in the country.

Taleb A., who came to Germany in 2006 and was Shiite, also came from the east of the country. According to his own statements, he is now a critic of Islam, and Federal Interior Minister Nancy Faeser (SPD) also says that the man is obviously Islamophobic. According to Saudi security circles, Saudi Arabia had warned Germany about the man.

Around 36 million people live in Saudi Arabia, an estimated third of whom are guest workers. The country has an estimated 17 percent of the world’s oil reserves and is also one of the world’s largest producers. The trade in the raw material has helped the kingdom gain considerable wealth. Under the crown prince and de facto ruler Mohammed bin Salman, a comprehensive reform program is underway to reduce the country’s dependence on oil.