The Shii Question in Saudi Arabia International Crisis Group(ICG)

The advent of the Iranian Revolution led the Shias of Arabia who were passive in the past to engage in civil disobedience. However, the standpoints of the Shii leaders were moderated and since the early 1990s, the Saudi government tried to take steps in order to improve its relations with the minorities. The September 11th events led to the improvement of the government’s relations with the moderate Islamists whether Sunni or Shia. Notwithstanding, further convergence needs serious actions on the part of the government with respect to the Shii presence in formal institutions, relaxation of the remaining constraints on the implementation of Shii rituals and to counter anti-Shiism in mosques and schools.