- PII
- S0130386425010163-1
- DOI
- 10.31857/S0130386425010163
- Publication type
- Article
- Status
- Published
- Authors
- Volume/ Edition
- Volume 68 / Issue number 1
- Pages
- 203-213
- Abstract
- In the article, the author examines the role of the Saudi clerical class, or ulama, in the power struggle between King Saud bin Abd al-Aziz and his younger cousin and Crown Prince Faisal, as well as its structural organisation and social influence. Russian researchers have devoted minimal attention to this topic, while researchers from other countries have offered divergent perspectives on the role of the ulama in the events of 1958–1964. The objective of this study is to ascertain the extent to which the influence of the Saudi clergy impacted the outcome of the power struggle. In the middle of the last century, the Kingdom faced significant internal challenges, including a nomadic economy crisis, high unemployment, an overpopulated agrarian sector, excessive spending by the ruling establishment, and widespread corruption. As early as 1958, it became apparent that King Saud’s policies were potentially leading to a catastrophic outcome. This prompted opposition on the part of Crown Prince Faisal. Saud experienced a series of diplomatic setbacks between 1958 and 1964, resulting in the loss of his erstwhile allies. In early November 1964, he was compelled to abdicate in favour of Faisal. The clergy constituted the religious elite of the country, wielding considerable authority primarily among the settled population. In the struggle for power, they provided support to Faisal, exerting pressure on Saud in the ideological domain, and openly criticising the introduction of elements of Western culture, including television and photo studios. Moreover, the ulama supported Faisal’s party ultimata of 1962 and 1964 to Saud and endorsed his succession in November 1964. The author’s analysis suggests that while the role of the ulama in this context was significant, it was not necessarily superior to that of the Bedouin. This is due to the fact that society was divided into sedentary and nomadic groups, the latter of which exhibited minimal respect for the authority of the ulama.
- Keywords
- Сауд Фейсал улама ваххабизм бедуины Саудовская Аравия духовенство престолонаследие
- Date of publication
- 20.09.2025
- Year of publication
- 2025
- Number of purchasers
- 0
- Views
- 26
References
- 1. Адамов А. Ирак Арабский. Бассорийский вилайет в его прошлом и настоящем. СПб., 1912.
- 2. Васильев А.М. История Саудовской Аравии (1745–1973). М., 1982.
- 3. Васильев А.М. Король Фейсал. Личность, эпоха, вера. М., 2010.
- 4. Георгиев А.Г., Озолинг В.В. Нефтяные монархии Аравии. Проблемы развития. М., 1983.
- 5. Де Лонг-Ба Н.Дж. Реформы Мухаммада ибн Абд аль-Ваххаба и всемирный джихад. М., 2010.
- 6. Озолинг В.В. Саудовская Аравия. М., 1968.
- 7. Озолинг В.В. Экономика Саудовской Аравии. М., 1975.
- 8. Прошин Н.И. Саудовская Аравия. Историко-этнографический очерк. М., 1964.
- 9. Родригес А.М. Нефть и эволюция социальных структур аравийских монархий. М., 1989.
- 10. Яковлев А.И. Саудовская Аравия. Пути эволюции. М., 1999.
- 11. Абдаллах А. Ал ‘улама валь-ирш сунаиййат ас-султа фи ас-саудийа [‘Улама и престол: двойственный характер власти в Саудовской Аравии]. Лондон, 1995 // URL: https://archive.org/details/20201111_20201111_1306/page/n3/mode/2up (дата обращения: 23.03.2023). (На араб. яз.)
- 12. Аль Бассам А. ‘Улама наджд хилала саманийат курун [‘Улама Неджда на протяжении восьми веков]. Т. I–III. Ар-Рияд, 1998. (На араб. яз.)
- 13. Аз-Зирикли Х. Шибх аль-джазират аль-арабийа фи ахд аль-малик Абд аль-Азиз [Аравийский полуостров в правление короля Абд аль-Азиза]. Бейрут, 1992. (На араб. яз.)
- 14. Хамза Ф. Аль-билад аль-арабийа ас-саудийа [Саудовская Аравия]. Макка, 1937. (На араб. яз.)
- 15. Al-Atawneh M. Wahhabi Islam facing the Challenges of Modernity. Dar al ifta in the Modern Saudi State. Leiden; Boston, 2010.
- 16. al-Rihani A. Ibn Saud of Arabia. New York, 1928.
- 17. Bligh A. The Saudi religious elite (the ulama) as participant in the political system of the kingdom // International Journal of Middle East studies. 1985. № 1. P. 37–50.
- 18. Burckhardt J.L. Notes on the Bedouins and the Wahhabys. Vol. I–II. London, 1831.
- 19. De Gauri G. Faysal king of Saudi Arabia. New York; Washington, 1966.
- 20. Dickson H.R.P. The Arab of the Desert. London, 1959.
- 21. Kostiner J. The Making of Saudi Arabia (1916–1936). From Chieftaincy to Monarchial State. New York; Oxford, 1993.
- 22. Laysh A. Ulama and politics in Saudi Arabia // Islam and politics in the Modern Middle East / eds M. Heper, R. Israeli. London; Sydney, 1984. P. 29–63.
- 23. Mouline N. The Clerics of Islam. Religious Authority and Political Power in Saudi Arabia. London, 2014.
- 24. Middle East Records. Vol. 1. London, 1960.
- 25. Philby H. St-J. B. Forty years in the Wilderness. London, 1957.
- 26. Vogel F. Islamic law and legal system. Studies of Saudi Arabia. Leiden; Boston; Köln, 2000.
