In Saudi Arabia, the Shia Muslim community, constituting around 12 percent of the population, has long faced systemic discrimination and restrictions on religious freedom. This marginalization permeates various aspects of life, including religious practices, education, employment, and the justice system. Also, the community has been excluded from certain public sector jobs, and has suffered from economic neglect by Saudi state institutions.
The Saudi government’s strict interpretation of Sunni Islam often results in limitations on Shia religious practices. Indeed, a royal decree issued in 2014 imposes prison sentences of up to 20 years for atheism and places restrictions on the religious activities of Shiite and Sufi Muslims. The construction of Shia mosques is heavily regulated through licensing requirements and is only permitted in the Eastern Province, where the Shia population is concentrated. Also, authorities have demolished Shia religious structures and restricted communal religious observances. For instance, in December 2020, the government ordered the demolition of a mosque in al-Awamiyah, a town with a significant Shia population.
Furthermore, the national education curriculum in Saudi Arabia has been criticized for promoting an anti-Shia narrative. Shia religious seminaries are absent and the publication and distribution of Shia religious material is forbidden within Saudi borders. Shia students face discrimination within the educational system, and Shia educators are frequently excluded from teaching religious subjects or attaining leadership positions in schools.
Employment discrimination against Shia Muslims is prevalent, particularly in government and security sectors. Shia individuals often find it challenging to secure or advance in government positions, and they are notably underrepresented in high-ranking roles within the military and police forces. This systemic exclusion limits economic opportunities and perpetuates social disparities.
The Saudi judicial system, grounded in Sunni interpretations of Islamic law, exhibits bias against Shia Muslims. Shia defendants frequently receive disproportionately harsh sentences, and their testimonies may be undervalued or dismissed in court proceedings. For instance, religious discussions involving religious topics can result in severe punishment.
In extreme cases, social discrimination escalated in violent attacks against Shia Muslims. For example, between 2015 and 2016, several attacks targeted Shia mosques and religious gatherings in the Eastern Province, resulting in numerous fatalities and injuries.
Despite the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 initiative, which aims to modernize the country and improve its global image, the systemic discrimination against the Shia community persists. In 2024, Saudi Arabia executed 330 people, the highest number in decades, with many executions related to non-lethal offenses such as drug smuggling and dissent. Human rights organizations have raised concerns that these executions disproportionately affect Shia Muslims and individuals expressing dissenting views.
ADHRB calls on the Saudi authorities to amend the 1992 Basic Law which establishes the Quran and the Sunnah as the foundation of the country’s legal framework and rather introduce reforms to promote inclusivity, protect religious diversity, and uphold the rights of all citizens, regardless of their sectarian affiliation. Also, ADHRB urges the international community to further investigate the lawfulness of arrests and detention and pressure Saudi Arabia to respect freedom of worship.
