The Other Saudis

The Other Saudis examines the history of Saudi Arabia's Shiite minority from the early twentieth century through the present day. The book focuses on the Eastern Province, where most Saudi Shiites live and where the country's oil industry is centered. Through extensive research and interviews, Toby Matthiesen traces the complex relationship between the Saudi state and its Shiite citizens. The narrative covers key events including the formation of the modern Saudi state, the rise of political movements, and periods of both accommodation and confrontation. The book documents how oil wealth transformed the Eastern Province and impacted Shiite communities, while exploring their religious networks and institutions. It analyzes the effects of regional events like the Iranian Revolution and the Gulf Wars on Saudi Shiite identity and politics. This work contributes to broader discussions about sectarianism, nationalism, and identity in the Middle East. By examining one minority's experience within Saudi Arabia, it offers insights into how modern states manage religious diversity and competing claims of belonging.

Readers appreciate the detailed research and documentation of Shia history in Saudi Arabia's Eastern Province, particularly the period from 1913-2012. Multiple reviewers noted the book fills a knowledge gap about this understudied region and minority population. Positive comments focus on: - Clear explanation of Shia-state relations - Extensive use of primary sources and interviews - Balanced perspective on sectarian tensions Common criticisms: - Academic writing style can be dry - Some sections are repetitive - Limited coverage of everyday life and culture Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (31 ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (12 ratings) One reviewer on Amazon noted: "The book provides crucial context for understanding current Saudi politics." A Goodreads reader criticized: "Too much focus on political movements at the expense of social history." The book receives higher ratings from academic readers than general audiences, who sometimes find the scholarly approach challenging.

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🔹 The book focuses on the often-overlooked Shi'a minority in Saudi Arabia, who make up approximately 10-15% of the population and are concentrated primarily in the oil-rich Eastern Province. 🔹 Author Toby Matthiesen conducted extensive fieldwork in Saudi Arabia between 2008 and 2012, interviewing over 100 people and gaining unprecedented access to private archives and collections. 🔹 The Eastern Province, which is the focus of the book, contains most of Saudi Arabia's oil reserves and was the site of major protests during the Arab Spring in 2011-2012. 🔹 The work traces the complex relationship between Shi'a communities and the Saudi state from the incorporation of the Eastern Province into the kingdom in 1913 to the present day. 🔹 Matthiesen's research revealed that many Shi'a activists from Saudi Arabia's Eastern Province developed close connections with Shi'a groups in Bahrain, Iraq, and Iran, creating transnational networks of religious and political activism.