Terrorism in Saudi Arabia

The topic of terrorism in Saudi Arabia is of particular interest to me, as 15 of the 19 September 11 suicide hijackers were Saudi citizens. In my research, I discovered some shocking information on Saudi Arabia’s involvement as a financier country for terrorist organizations, both the government and its citizens,

The United States has accused some Islamic charities of funding terrorism. One such organization is the Wafa Humanitarian Organization, located in Saudi Arabia. This group distributes food and is constructing a clinic in Kabul, Afghanistan, but is on a list of U.S. terrorist organizations.5 The U.S. State Department also lists Saudi Arabia as one of the top donors to the terrorist organization Harakat ul-Mujahidin (HUM), whose goal is to unite Kashmir with Pakistan. This organization often uses violence as a means to advance its cause. In addition, private citizens and organizations in Saudi Arabia have been found as major financiers to HAMAS (Islamic Resistance Movement), according to the same U.S. state Department report. HAMAS uses terrorist tactics in its fight against Israel to create a Palestinian state.9

In addition, the final report released by the bipartisan National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States (the 9/11 Commission states that Saudi Arabia “was a place where Al Qaeda raised money directly from individuals and through charities,” and indicates that “charities with significant Saudi government sponsorship” may have diverted funding to Al Qaeda.7 Another U.S. accusation of Saudi involvement came In July 2005, when undersecretary of the Treasury Stuart Levey testifying in the Senate noted “Wealthy Saudi financiers and charities have funded terrorist organizations and causes that support terrorism and the ideology that fuels the terrorists' agenda. Even today, we believe that Saudi donors may still be a significant source of terrorist financing, including for the insurgency in Iraq."3

There were many changes made in Saudi Arabia’s fight against terrorism since September 11. They have created new institutions designed to control the flow of money in and through the country. They have also place special emphasis on increasing governmental supervision over charitable donations and collections. In addition, because of a drastic increase in terrorist attacks in Saudi Arabia in 2003-2004, the Saudi government has taken even more steps to fight terrorism. They have: “set up a joint task force with the United States to investigate terrorist financing in Saudi Arabia; shuttered charitable organizations suspected of terrorist ties; passed anti-money laundering legislation; banned cash collections at mosques; centralized control over charitable collections; closed unlicensed money exchanges; and scrutinized clerics involved in charitable collections.”7

Terrorism since the turn of the century has created many changes for Saudi Arabia. They do not wish to be perceived as a terrorist state, and it is in the best interest of the ruling family that the country remains stable. Therefore, after the September 11, and an increase in violence in Saudi Arabia, the government stepped up to ensure that these events are minimized and eradicated.

News Articles Pertaining to Topic:
http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5jxjUUIaKko4AaMf5_TYhCgj8NUqw

http://www.upi.com/Top_News/Special/2009/12/02/Saudis-fear-al-Qaida-threat-from-Yemen/UPI-69021259770097/

http://www.adnkronos.com/AKI/English/Religion/?id=3.0.4042844689