Wahhabism and the World: Understanding Saudi Arabia's Global Influence on Islam (RELIGION AND GLOBAL POLITICS SERIES)

For more than half a century, Saudi Arabia--through both official and non-governmental channels--has poured billions of dollars into funding and sponsoring religious activities and Islamic causes around the world. The effect has been to propagate Wahhabism, the distinctively rigid and austere form of Islam associated with the Kingdom's religious establishment, within Muslim communities on almost every continent. This volume features essays by leading scholars who explore the origins and evolution of Saudi religious transnationalism, assess ongoing debates about the impact of these influences in various regions and localities around the world, and discuss possible future trends in light of new Saudi leadership. In addition to chapters devoted to the major actors and institutions involved in Saudi global religious propagation, the volume contains a wide range of country case studies that offer in-depth analysis of the nature and impact of Saudi religious influence in nations across multiple world regions. Cover Series Wahhabism and the World Copyright Contents Preface List of Contributors Note on Transliteration PART I ORIGINS AND EVOLUTION 1. Wahhabism and the World: The Historical Evolution, Structure, and Future of Saudi Religious Transnationalism 2. Wahhabism and Salafism in Global Perspective 3. From Dirʿiyya to Riyadh: The History and Global Impact of Saudi Religious Propagation and Education 4. Salafi Publishing and Contestation over Orthodoxy and Leadership in Sunni Islam 5. Transnational Wahhabism: The Muslim World League and the World Assembly of Muslim Youth 6. Humanitarian and Relief Organizations in Global Saudi Daʿwa? PART II. COUNTRY CASE STUDIES 7. Salafism, Education, and Youth: Saudi Arabia’s Campaign for Wahhabism in Indonesia 8. Saudi Influence in Kyrgyzstan: Beyond Mosques, Schools, and Foundations 9. Saudi Arabia: A South Asian Wrecking Ball 10. “Working for a Living in the Land of Allah”: Labor Migration from Bangladesh to Saudi Arabia and Remittances of Wahhabism 11. Ethiopia and Saudi Arabia: Between Proximity and Distance 12. Wahhabi Compromises and “Soft Salafization” in the Sahel 13. Unpacking the Saudi-​Salafi Connection in Egypt 14. Arab Brothers, Arms, and Food Rations: How Salafism Made Its Way to Bosnia and Herzegovina 15. The Shifting Contours of Saudi Influence in Britain Index For more than half a century, Saudi Arabia - through both official and non-governmental channels - has poured billions of dollars into funding and sponsoring religious activities and Islamic causes around the world. The effect has been to propagate Wahhabism, the distinctively rigid and austere form of Islam associated with the Kingdom's religious establishment, within Muslim communities on almost every continent. This volume features essays by leading scholars who explore the origins and evolution of Saudi religious transnationalism, assess ongoing debates about the impact of these influences in various regions and localities around the world, and discuss possible future trends in light of new Saudi leadership There is a long-running debate about whether Saudi Arabia exportation of its highly conservative form of Islam known as Wahhabism has distorted or "corrupted" more moderate forms of Islam around the world. This volume is the first study to explore this question in detail based on social science research.