Conversations with Tyler David Commins on Saudi Arabia, Wahhabism, and the Future of the Gulf States
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Sep 17, 2025 David Commins, an expert on Saudi Arabia and author of "Saudi Arabia: A Modern History", delves into the complexities of Wahhabism and its significant role in state-building. The conversation covers the historical discrimination against Shiites, the implications of the 1979 Grand Mosque seizure, and the motivations behind Saudi sports investments. Commins also discusses Yemen's instability, barriers in education, and Saudi Arabia's transition to a post-oil economy. His insights offer a captivating view into the challenges and future of the Gulf States.
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Wahhabism As State-Building Glue
- Wahhabism is primarily a strict theological definition of true belief that requires active negation of deviation.
- David Commins argues this religious purification was essential to Saudi state-building in the 1700s.
Pragmatic Wahhabism In The Holy Cities
- Annexing Mecca required a qualified form of Wahhabism to avoid alienating the global Muslim community.
- Abdulaziz placed clerics willing to accommodate other Sunni traditions in charge of Mecca's religious institutions.
Shiite Status Remains Unclear
- Saudi Shiites are legally citizens but historically faced persecution and discrimination in the Eastern Province.
- Commins says current claims of no discrimination are hard to verify due to silenced dissent and limited reliable reporting.
