Unholy Kingdom: Religion, Corruption and Violence in Saudi Arabia

by Malise Ruthven

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

Reveals a riveting portrait of a nation mired in complexities. In recent years Saudi Arabia has promoted itself as an open oil-rich but investing in culture, tourism, social innovation, and establishing itself as a beacon in the Middle East mired in violence. But the murder in October 2018 of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in the Istanbul embassy reveals a darker the intensification of the repression of religious and political criticism and protest driven by the war in Yemen, sectarian rivalry with Iran, and volatile relations with the United States during the Trump administration.

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 themassive 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, isdriving the country's liberalisation, while on the other, is imposing his autocratic will upon the region through cyber-manipulation, economics and war.

Genres: Nonfiction, Politics, History, Religion

384 pages, Hardcover

Published February 25, 2025

About the author

Malise Ruthven is the author of Islam in the World, The Divine Supermarket: Shopping for God in America, A Satanic Affair: Salman Rushdie and the Wrath of Islam and several other books. His Islam: A Very Short Introduction has been published in several languages, including Chinese, Korean, Romanian, Polish, Italian and German.

A former scriptwriter with the BBC Arabic and World Services, Dr Ruthven holds an MA in English Literature and a PhD in Social and Political Sciences from Cambridge University. He has taught Islamic studies, cultural history and comparative religion at the University of Aberdeen, the University of California, San Diego, Dartmouth College, New Hampshire and Colorado College.

Now a full-time writer, he is currently working on Fundamentalism: A Very Short Introduction and Arabesque and Crucifix, a study in comparative religious iconography.

Reviews

[Malcolm · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s easy for us to forget that the current map of that part of West Asia we call ‘the Middle East’ is quite recent, barely more than 100 years old. This is more so because the focus on the most recent imposition of lines on those lands – the lines that make and remake Israel – dominate discussion, analysis, and understanding of the area, and properly so. Yet this focus, and the centrality of 1948, obscures the line drawing, positioning, wrangling, and nation invention of 1916’s Sykes-Picot Agreement and the subsequent events of 1919-1922 with the dissolution of the Ottoman Empire, creating an image of the states of the region as having deeper roots and longer histories than they do. There are few places in the region where this is more the case than Saudi Arabia, now seen as a unified state under one royal house, the House of Saud.

Yet, as recently as 1926 that House of Saud – now a major player in the region with aspirations to global influence both geopolitically and through its adherence to an austere and until recently obscure form of Islam – controlled only a small part of the territory it now dominates, a portion that did not include either of the holy cities of Mecca and Medina. Ruthven, a journalist who has covered the regions for many years, weaves together this dual narrative of expansion – of territorial control and doctrinal influence – to build an insightful if problematic image of a state and its leading family.

Ruthven is concerned with the now, with the current Saudi Arabia, its actions and prospects, making this topical and vital. Opening with an unpacking of the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in the Saudi embassy in Istanbul in 2018, much of the contemporary narrative turns around the power, influence, and significance of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salim, successor designate to the current king and a controversial figure who seems chameleon like, presenting many faces to different audiences. For Ruthven, and many others, MBS (as he is known) is a deft operator in the rivalries and expectations that shape the dynamics of House of Saud, using both constitutional (as much as this monarchy has an agreed constitution) and extra-legal violence to shore up the state and his position. As is often the case with these kinds of analyses, Ruthven’s extensive journalistic networks are important here as he weaves together material from many sources to build a compelling image of the state.

Ruthven’s historical narrative is also sharp, linking chance, deft politics, and alliance building, and links to key players in 1920s geopolitics, on the part of the Abd al-Aziz Al Saud (also known as Ibn Saud) in crafting state-wide dominance out of regional and local power. At the same time he suggests that part of the challenges facing the current state lies in Ibn Saud’s alliance by marriage approach, resulting in a huge number of descendants all expecting a share of the state. More crucially, Ruthven demonstrates how Ibn Saud’s state building strategy, from a position of comparative weakness in respect of the holy cities, accounts in large part of the alliance that produced Wahhabi doctrinal dominance. This was the more compelling part of the discussion (admittedly, it also aligns with my interests as an historian).

More frustrating, and this is in large part a product of the book’s subtitle, is the sense that religion, violence, and corruption are in some ways distinct when ideology, violence, and networked self-interest are the foundations of the existence of and power within any state. It may take a different form, but it is ever present – although often with gloves on. There is a risk here that an emphasis on these dynamics, which to be fair to Ruthven are for the most part kept in balance with other factors, such as the complexities of dynastic rivalries, the explicit manipulation of soft power (such as ‘sportwashing’), and the absurdities of grandiose development projects.

Saudi Arabia is becoming increasingly geopolitically significant, and this is a good way into making sense of and understanding the place – even if it at times feels a little polemical, especially in its treatment of the highly problematic Khashoggi.

[Robert · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley and Verso in exchange for an honest review

I have mixed feelings on this. Parts were interesting and I did learn a lot about Saudi Arabia. However, the book felt very unfocused and in need of tighter editing because it would frequently ramble off into tangents on unrelated topics. The uneven nature of the book means it discusses some parts of Saudi history in the early 20th century in great detail, but completely skips over large parts of the second half of the 20th century. Some parts of Saudi society were discussed in great detail while others were barely mentioned.

There were some odd moments where the author argues the chemical attacks in Syria weren't carried out by Assad's regime but were actually a false flag by Saudi-supported militants. At another point he claims a lot of the Israeli casualties during the October 7th attacks were friendly fire caused by the Israeli military. He ends the book by quoting a blogger who claims without any evidence that MBS has a serious drug addiction yet offers no explanation as to why this anonymous person is credible.

[Jamad · Rating 2 out of 5]

Unholy Kingdom is clearly the work of a well-informed writer — Ruthven draws on a wide range of sources to explore the role of religion in modern Britain. It’s well-researched and ambitious, but I found it a tough read.

The main issue is the lack of focus. Ruthven often goes off on tangents that, while interesting, make it hard to follow the central argument. The book feels scattered, and the narrative doesn’t flow in a way that keeps you engaged.

There’s good material here, especially if you’re deeply interested in the intersection of religion, politics, and history. But overall, it’s more admirable than enjoyable — a thoughtful book that’s harder work than it needs to be.

[Ula Tardigrade · Rating 3 out of 5]

There have been so many outrageous stories about Saudi Arabia in recent years that I was excited to read a whole book about this strange country to learn more and gain some broader insight. Unfortunately, it was a bit disappointing. While deeply researched and packed with little-known facts, it was not at all engaging. The part about the origin of the kingdom was so flooded with names and minutiae that it was hard to follow.

So, it can certainly be a valuable reference, but if you are looking for a more coherent and compelling narrative, find something else.

Thanks to the publisher, Verso Books, and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book.

[Cherryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was eager to delve into Unholy Kingdom to gain a deeper understanding of Saudi Arabia's complex landscape. While the book is undeniably well-researched and brimming with detailed information, I found it somewhat challenging to stay engaged. The early chapters, in particular, are dense with names and intricate details that made the narrative a bit hard to follow.

That said, the book serves as a valuable reference for those interested in the intricacies of Saudi history and politics. However, if you're seeking a more fluid and compelling narrative, this might not be the ideal choice. I appreciate the opportunity to have read an advanced copy, thanks to the publisher and NetGalley.

[Karen · Rating 2 out of 5]

This had the potential to be a blockbuster of a book. But it failed miserably. It jumped from point to point without clear explainations of the point that the author was discussing. Whilst the history of the foundation of the Kingdom was interesting, it skimmed over a lot of information that would have helped explain the current situation.

Would I recommend this book? Yes. For propping up a wonkey table - certainly not one that will be re-read...

[Alya AlShaibani · Rating 1 out of 5]

Malise, your mouth is ehhh....moving a lot like a rat. yappa yappa yappa

In all seriousness though, this book lacks a main argument, or any argument at all in any individual chapter.

I still can't believe he said Gulf rulers are weaning their youth off jihadist ideas by encouraging loyalty to national football teams. Yes Malise, the Saudis signed Cristiano Ronaldo so that the little boys won't be tempted to join the Taliban.

[Joe Giso · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not worth it. Basically author is a Hamas sympathizer and antisemitic who has some sort of personal vendetta against Saudi leadership and exposes (rightfully so) the treachery, evil and hatred of that particular region to non-Muslims. He gets to decide who the good Arabs are and does a miserable job at it. Pass on book. Waste of my time.

[Hind · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this was a great book covering the history of the country into all that it happening in the current era. There is a hint of the ever-present western disdain of non-white people but I thought overall it was relatively fair and justified in the analysis presented.