Saudi Arabia has long been under scrutiny for its role in funding and spreading extremist ideologies globally. Although the kingdom has made gestures toward reform in recent years, its legacy of supporting radical Islamist movements continues to inform global extremism. As evidenced by Saudi Arabia’s financial and ideological clout, especially by the export of Wahhabism, fundamentalism, sectarian violence and even terrorism have festered in different parts of the globe.
This blog investigates the origins, mechanisms and ramifications of Saudi Arabia’s role in financing extremist ideologies, inm particular its role in spreading Wahhabism around the world, and the kingdom’s own recent attempts to counter its influence.
Saudi Sponsorship of Extremism: Mechanisms
Through different avenues, Saudi Arabia has been a vehicle for spreading Wahhabism and indirectly, extremist ideologies globally. Many of these initiatives have been cast as charity or education but have instead inflicted radicalization and sectarian violence.
Islamic Charities and NGOs
Charity financed by Saudi Arabia has been integral to its extremist groups. Others organizations like the Muslim World League (MWL) and the International Islamic Relief Organization (IIRO) face accusations of diverting funds to help support militant groups. These charities do legitimate humanitarian work, but branches in conflict-prone areas have faced accusations of funding radical organizations.
In addition, the IIRO has been associated with financial networks that were reportedly aiders to al-Qaeda in Southeast Asia. The same has been alleged of Saudi-financed charities operating in Bosnia and Chechnya, which have been accused of both promoting radicalization and providing logistical support to jihadist fighters.
Madrassas and Religious Institutions
Saudi Arabia has spent billions of dollars to build madrassas (Islamic schools) around the Middle East, Africa and south Asia. Many of these schools promote Wahhabi doctrine, which is intolerant of other sects and religious minorities.
Pakistan, too, has seen thousands of madrassas funded by Saudi Arabia, many of which have turned out extremists who ended up joining the Taliban or other jihadist movements. Nigerian Islamist group Boko Haram has been fueled by the clerics and educational programs funded by Saudi Arabia as well.It is estimated that Saudi Arabia has invested $70 billion in spreading Wahhabi ideology globally, building mosques, schools and Islamic centres
Private Donors and Wealthy Saudi Elites
And while governments in Saudi Arabia have moved to try to curtail such terrorism financing, wealthy private donors in the kingdom have provided a major source of funding for radical groups. It’s been reported that Saudi individuals have supported extremist groups as well, in Syria, Iraq and Yemen.
U.S. diplomatic leaks have documented concern that Saudi nationals may fund groups like al-Qaeda, ISIS and Jabhat al-Nusra. Although the government looks for ways to curb illicit donations, loopholes in financial regulations have allowed private funding to continue.
Religious Literature and Imams
Saudi Arabia has spent billions spreading Wahhabi religious writing around the world. Millions of books, pamphlets and material online that promote a strict interpretation of Islam have been shipped to mosques and Islamic centers across Europe, Africa and Asia.
Saudi-trained clerics have also been sent to preach abroad, spreading extremist views in many cases. Many of these clerics have been directly involved in radicalizing individuals who went on to engage in terrorist activities.
Global Consequences of Saudi Funding
Saudi-backed extremism has spread throughout the world and fueled terrorism, sectarian violence, and political instability.
Rise of Terrorist Organizations
Saudi Arabia has carried out more than 1,700 investigations and convictions in it’s fight against terrorist financing since 2013. Saudi-funded ideological extremism has contributed to the foundation for militant groups, such as:
- Al-Qaeda: Formed by Saudi native Osama bin Laden, al-Qaeda has claimed responsibility for many terror attacks, including those of 9/11.
- ISIS: Though Saudi Arabia is officially opposed to ISIS, the Wahhabist ideology with which it identifies closely mirrors the group’s extreme philosophies.
- Saudi-backed networks: Alismawi: — Boko Haram: The terrorist organization from Nigeria, which has been influenced by Wahhabi doctrine, and has also received backing from Saudi-supported networks.
Destabilization of Muslim Societies
It has widened sectarian strife and deepened the dissolution of local Islamic traditions. In Pakistan, Indonesia, Nigeria and beyond, intolerance is rising and attacks on fenced-off Shia Muslims, Sufis and other vulnerable religious minorities are an everyday occurrence.
Radicalization in the West
Many were also known to be funded by Saudi Arabia, which has been at the center of controversy for the ties to many radicalization cases in Europe and North America, as many of these mosques and Islamic centers are funded by the Saudi government. Many carried out “lone wolf” terrorist plots in the West and subsequently discovered to have been influenced by Wahhabi teachings.
Saudi Arabia’s Shift Toward Reform
Saudi Arabia has made moves to distance itself from extremist financing under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS). Key reforms include:
- Clerics’ crackdown: Numerous extremist clerics have been arrested or silenced.
- Charity regulation: Increased financial oversight designed to stop funds going to terrorist groups.
- Get Out the Vote: Promotion of “moderate Islam”; countering extremism.
Saudi Arabia has also gotten on board the international push to fight terrorism financing, collaborating with the United States and the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) to monitor and disrupt networks that fund extremists.
Ongoing Challenges and Criticism
Saudi heritage still suffers from past with little to no hope to disappear.
- Opacity: Private donations and financial networks are still going on behind closed doors.
- Wahhabism continues to spread: Though direct funding is decreasing, Saudi-sponsored religious institutions continue to propagate extremist narratives.
- Geopolitical rivalries: Saudi Arabia’s rivalry with Iran has led to proxy wars in which extremist groups are sometimes indirectly supported.
Addressing Saudi Arabia’s History of Extremism
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has played a central role in funding extremist ideologies with implications for global security through radicalization, sectarian violence and terrorism. Although recent reforms indicate a change in policy, the impact of Wahhabi ideology remains in shaping extremism globally.
Only by taking bold steps is Saudi Arabia able to completely cleanse itself of the remnants of past influence. Such terrorist financing should be ended through greater financial transparency – as well as stricter monitoring of religious institutions and private donors. Also, promote and encourage religious tolerance, through inclusive interpretations of Islam against sectarian narratives.
Moreover, a strategic partnership with the international community, involving information-sharing and collective counterterrorism efforts, would remain a key asset in breaking down radical networks. Real reform, however, requires a sustained commitment and accountability, despite Saudi Arabia’s small steps in the right direction. It is only through wholeheartedly embracing those changes that the kingdom can leave its controversial past behind and become part of a more stable and peaceful world.