190 AMERICAN Journal of Public Diplomacy and International Studies www. grnjournal.us  

AMERICAN Journal of Public Diplomacy and 
International Studies 

Volume 01, Issue 06, 2023 ISSN (E): 2993-2157 
 
 
 
 
 

Islam as Priority in Saudi Foreign Policy 

 

 
Madina Abdullaeva 

Lecturer, Political Sciences Department University of World Economy and Diplomacy, 

Uzbekistan 

 

 

 

Abstract: The article discusses the backbone role of religion in shaping the 

domestic and foreign policy of Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia positions itself as the 

center of the Muslim world and the flagship of Islamic countries. Relations with the 

Muslim world are considered a priority in foreign policy, which consists of several 

levels of interaction in the external environment. The Kingdom pursues a proactive 

foreign policy both on a bilateral basis and at the level of multilateral formats and 

organizations. 

Keywords: Saudi Arabia, foreign policy, Islam, OIC, Muslim world. 
 

 

 
Saudi Arabia’s self-identification as an Islamic political state has defined the priority role in 

cooperation with Muslim World. The importance of this fact has proven by location of two 

Muslim holy cities for the whole Islam – Mecca and Medina. 

Since the moment of its foundation, the Kingdom has been seeking to use its significant 

possibilities and resources for the sake of unity among Muslim countries. In order to gain the 

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191 AMERICAN Journal of Public Diplomacy and International Studies www. grnjournal.us  

Islamic solidarity, the Kingdom took an active part in the formation of Islamic governmental and 

non-governmental organizations. The international policy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia 

(KSA) towards the Islamic countries is being built upon the principles of all-Islamic unity and 

solidarity. In order to implement the unity of Muslim countries as well as to protect and advance 

their interests by the initiative of the KSA in 1969 the Organization of the Islamic Conference 

the headquarters of which is located in Jeddah, was established. The Organization of the Islamic 

Conference as an institutional structure takes the second place after the United Nations 

Organization by the number of its member-countries (Sheryazdanova & Smagulova, 2013, p. 

84.). OIC includes 57 Islamic Countries and the countries which have mostly Islamic population. 

OIC member countries are spreading from the Middle East up to Latin America, covering 30% 

of UN member-states and more than 20% of world population (Akhmed, N., 2012.). According 

to the scientists, the Islamic world was in a real need of such organization, which could unite all 

Islamic states for close cooperation based on united Islamic political platform in order to 

influence the world events (Sheryazdanova & Smagulova, 2013, p. 83.). 

After the Second World War some Muslim States have begun to put forward the idea of Islamic 

self-determination and the implementation of its external and internal political course basing on 

this religion. Iran, Pakistan and Libyan Arab Jamahiriya (Voskresenskiy A., 2016.) have been 

declaring their own vision of an Islamic state. In this respect, Saudi Arabia could not take the 

initiative of creating an Islamic organization based on the idea that the true purpose of the state is 

to serve Islam. Moreover, after the Arab-Israeli war of 1967 and arson of Al-Aqsa mosque in 

Jerusalem, the King of Saudi Arabia has threatened to declare Jihad if Israel does not liberate the 

Muslim part of Jerusalem. As we believe, in spite of the anti-Israeli content, the foreign policy of 

the KSA within the OIC is not limited to the creation of anti-Israeli bloc among Muslim 

countries, and aimed at financial support of member countries of the organization. This is 

perhaps the most powerful foreign policy instrument of the Kingdom against Muslim countries 

following the ideas of Islamic unity and solidarity. 

Within the framework of the organization a Joint Action Plan (2016-2025) has been adopted, 

which includes a joint action of all member-states of the organization for 18 points of burning 

issues such as the settlement of the Arab-Israeli conflict, the fight against counter- terrorism, 

extremism, radicalization, sectarianist and Islamophobia, peace and security, eradication of 

poverty and support of the sustainable development and many other issues. There are a number 

of centers and foundations, with a separate budget located in different member-states of the 

Organization, among which the Islamic solidarity Fund, providing financial assistance not only 

to members of the OIC, but to many Muslim communities in other countries located in Jeddah 

and the Islamic development Bank, mainly under Saudi patronage. More than 25% of the shares 

of IDB belong to the KSA, while Kuwait, UAE, Libya and Turkey, in aggregate, own 50% of the 

shares (Voskresenskiy A., 2016.). The presence of Saudi capital in the institutional entities of the 

OIC directly points to its leadership in this organization. 

As we all know, in the list of strategic objectives of KSA financial assistance is in 4th place, 

while external security, strengthening of unity with the Arab and Muslim world and the ensuring 

of international stability and peace occupying leading positions (Abdisattorov, B., 2018.). All 

above-mentioned tasks are interrelated and are being implemented by the Saudi government in 

the complex and long-term way. Also, one needs to mention that the OIC is not the only 

mechanism for the implementation of Saudi financial aid to Islamic countries, because the 

Kingdom operates unilaterally as well. Back in 1974according to the decree of the King of KSA 

the Saudi Fund for Development was established with the aim of developing international 

cooperation of the Kingdom with other countries. Nowadays, the Fund finances a total number 

of 3,750 projects in 71 countries, of which 41are the African countries, 25 are Asian, and 5 

countries are located in other parts of the world (Saudi fund for Development, 2016.). In modern 

activity of the OIC is often possible to see the traces of Saudi foreign policy, although this effect 

seems to be indirect at first and taking into account the interests of all members of the 

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organization. Muslim religious leaders are sanctioning ideologically the functioning of the OIC, 

increasing its prestige among the broad masses of those who are religious. Developed and 

implemented by the principles of international Islamic solidarity with the Islamic religious 

positions, it gives a theological explanation for mobilizing policy support to OIC from the 

masses of believers in more than 60 countries, what allows to present a united front 

(Sheryazdanova & Smagulova). But in spite of all that, the interests of Saudi Arabia are 

represented more powerful in this organization than the interests of other countries (Kayaoglu, 

T., 2013.). Leadership in this organization gives more soft power than hard, according to some 

scholars, the leader of the OIC could serve as a role model for other members of the 

organization, and also the voice of a leader will act as the voice of the Muslim world before the 

world powers. 

Despite all advantages, one need declares, that there is no united, recognized leader in Muslim 

world nowadays, although such countries as KSA, Iran, Turkey, Malaysia, Pakistan are putting 

forward the positive image of Muslim leader. Those countries are limiting only to their own 

vision of all-Muslims problems and follow only their own interests. In this context the interests 

of Saudi Arabia are to create the explanation of the word Ummah, or “Muslim world”. For SA 

Ummah is a strictly religious term, which is a part of its foreign policy. The OIC is the perfect 

place for the Kingdom to spread their religious orthodoxy (Kayaoglu, T.). For the Saudis, their 

foreign policy consists of the Ummah, which means that the presence of the OIC will be a very 

important direction, because this organization today has no analogues in the coverage of all parts 

of the Muslim world. 

Saudi Arabia was behind the establishment of the OIC, being the most important member of this 

organization for all time of its existence. The location of the bodies of the OIC in Saudi Arabia, 

budgetary investments of the Kingdom and its historical legacy made this country a de facto 

veto-power of the OIC. Historically, KSA has used the OIC to legitimize the Saudi regime in the 

eyes of the Saudi population and the Ummah. The Kingdom has always sought to limit the 

growing influence of other States within the OIC. Saudi Arabia was behind the establishment of 

the OIC, being the most important member of this organization for all time of its existence. The 

location of the bodies of the OIC in Saudi Arabia, budgetary investments of the Kingdom and its 

historical legacy made this country a de facto veto-power of the OIC. Historically, KSA has used 

the OIC to legitimize the Saudi regime in the eyes of the Saudi population and the Ummah. The 

Kingdom has always sought to limit the growing influence of other States within the OIC. 

Also, KSA has always tried to keep religion and economy in the focus of the OIC, rather than 

consideration of political and military issues, because religion and economy has been 

determining the leading role of the KSA in the world. Of the 3,000 decisions and resolutions 

adopted by the OIC in recent years, only 10% were implemented, and most part of the decisions 

(90%) is not implemented (Mozharova, V., 2015.). During all the history of existence of the 

organization and its institutional mechanisms, military conflicts between Iran and Iraq, Iraq and 

Kuwait have not been resolved, has not been provided substantial assistance in the resolution of 

the Algerian-Moroccan, the Sudan-Egyptian border and territorial conflicts, military-political 

situation in Afghanistan, Iraq, the territorial issues between Iran and the UAE, Iran and Bahrain 

(Auelbaev, B., 2016.). 

The cause of ineffective operation of the organization can be called the very different views and 

positions of leading states and the basic perception of other centers of the Muslim world. There 

is no common position among the member states of the OIC, because instead of the ideas of 

unity and cohesion many members are trying to follow their political and economic interests. 

From time to time, when Saudi-Iranian relations have been experiencing its best periods, Saudi 

Arabia has tried to use OIC in its own interests. For example, in 1987, during Haj, as a result of 

protests and clashes of Saudi and Iran pilgrims, 400 people were killed, mostly Iranians 

(Kayaoglu, T.). Then, in 1988, at the summit of foreign Ministers of the OIC a resolution, 

condemning the actions of the Iranian pilgrims and regarded their actions as violation of the 

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public order, and sabotage, was adopted. One must say that this is not the only case of support 

actions from KSA to OIC, regardless of the true causes and clarification the positions of the 

parties. So, during the last summit of the OIC held on April 14-15 2016 in Turkey, the final 

communiqué condemning the actions of Iran for interfering to the internal affairs of its neighbor 

and support of terrorist groups was adopted, in connection with succession of events as the result 

of the execution of prominent Shia preacher in Saudi Arabia, named Nimr al-Nimr. 

Today, if nobody openly challenges the superiority of the KSA, it offers other models of an 

Islamic state same as Pakistan and Iran. It is important to note that Saudi primacy in the Islamic 

world is primarily a religious authority and financial support to developing economies. To 

achieve a dominant role in the Islamic world, the KSA uses a variety of methods including the 

financing of mosques and sending imams to the Muslim community, giving scholarships to 

students of Islamic Sciences in KSA, the opening of religious schools (madrasas) and centers 

that support Islamic studies in all universities of the world and other actions. To achieve its 

global mission, Saudi Arabia has opened a network of Islamic institutions such as the World 

Council of mosques, World Assembly of Muslim Youth, World Muslim League, etc. 

It should be noted that before 1990 the role of KSA in OIC has not been challenged by anyone, 

whereas from this period on new centers of Islamic power began to assert itself, increasingly 

acquiring their status in the OIC. For example, during the recent summit of the OIC in Turkey 

(April 14-15 2016) in Turkish press there were signals about the new leader of the OIC in the 

face of Turkey: "We should not forget that Turkey is the largest member-state of the OIC, its 

natural leader and big brother” (Kayaoglu, T.). For the return of their leading position and 

prevention of such statements, KSA has taken active measures, including giving the position of 

the Secretary-General of the former Minister of KSA Ayadu Madani. 

Today, Saudi Arabia uses OIC to legitimize its regime to its citizens and to the international 

community, most part of which is the Muslim world. The Kingdom is trying to limit 

participation and the growing influence of other countries claiming to be independent Muslim 

center in the world using their religious and financial benefits. The Saudi government is trying to 

prevent the formation of new Islamic centers, which potentially have the opportunity to 

challenge its leadership and unique position in the Islamic and Muslim world. 

We came to the conclusion that the KSA is taking active steps to lead the Muslim world, using 

its religious and financial capabilities. The Kingdom is also trying to prevent the emergence of 

new centers of power in the Muslim world, those which present a possible danger to its existence 

as the only leader of the entire Muslim world. To this end, KSA uses state and international 

structures that have everything in the Muslim world, such as the Saudi Development Fund and 

the Organization of Islamic Cooperation to advance their soft power and implement their foreign 

policy ambitions. The leading role in the OIC provides Saudi Arabia with the role of an example 

for imitation and an exemplary model of state and social order for the rest of the Muslim world 

and the "unified voice of the Muslim world" in front of the world's centers of power. Also, the 

Kingdom legitimizes its vision of Islam to the subjects of the KSA and the world Muslim and 

non-Muslim community through participation in the OIC. 

In the short term, there will not be unity in the Muslim world as it is not in the OIC due to the 

vast geography of Islam and not modest foreign policy ambitions of some Muslim States. 

Despite the lack of a unified, recognized and exemplary center in the Muslim world, KSA has a 

privileged position over other states who seek to challenge the leadership of the KSA in the 

Muslim world and show their way of Muslim development as the most suitable. The so-called 

"unique" mission of the Kingdom is explained by the fact that the CSA sees itself as a "truly 

Islamic state" the duty of which is the dissemination and preservation of "pure Islam" among 

Muslim and non-Muslim countries of the modern world. In this context, it is proposed to 

strengthen the position of Saudi Arabia in the OIC, and the Islamic (Muslim) world as a whole. 

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