Unholy Kingdom: Religion, Corruption and Violence in Saudi Arabia

A short history of modern Saudi Religion, Oil, and Dynasty

In Unholy Kingdom , Malise Ruthven a leading commentator on Islamic affairs , reconstructs the history of the nation and shows how its attempts to modernise itself have produced repression, corruption, and war across the region fuelled by the massive arms purchases paid for by the oil exports that contribute to global warming. In particular he shows how the royal House of Saud has co-opted Wahhabism to consolidate its power and enforce a strict authoritarian regime over its people in collusion with Western businesses and governments. The book looks to Saudi’s future in the hands of crown prince MBS who, on one hand, is driving the country’s liberalisation, while on the other, is imposing his autocratic will upon the region through cyber-manipulation, economics and war.