Charity in Saudi Arabia: Civil Society under Authoritarianism

by Nora Derbal

Overview

In this innovative study of everyday charity practices in Jeddah, Nora Derbal employs a 'bottom-up' approach to challenge dominant narratives about state-society relations in Saudi Arabia. Exploring charity organizations in Jeddah, this book both offers a rich ethnography of associational life and counters Riyadh-centric studies which focus on oil, the royal family, and the religious establishment. It closely follows those who work on the ground to provide charity to the local poor and needy, documenting their achievements, struggles and daily negotiations. The lens of charity offers rare insights into the religiosity of ordinary Saudis, showing that Islam offers Saudi activists a language, a moral frame, and a worldly guide to confronting inequality. With a view to the many forms of local community activism in Saudi Arabia, this book examines perspectives that are too often ignored or neglected, opening new theoretical debates about civil society and civic activism in the Gulf.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781009075480
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	07/28/2022
Series:	Cambridge Middle East Studies , #68
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
File size:	17 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.

About the Author

Nora Derbal is a Postdoctoral Fellow at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. She holds a DPhil in Islamic Studies from Freie Universität Berlin, and has studied Islamic Studies and Modern History in Oxford, Berlin, and Jeddah. This is her first book.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction: Civil society theory, charity, and inequality in Saudi Arabia; 2. Meanings of welfare: The First Women's Welfare Association in Jeddah; 3. Managing poverty and national development: The Society of Majid bin ʿAbd al-ʿAziz for Development and Social Services; 4. Negotiating citizenship and belonging: The Young Initiative Group; 5. Fun, freedom, and personal growth amid rising repression: The Hikers; 6. Conclusion: Civil society activism and everyday Islam in Saudi Arabia.

Editorial Reviews

‘Nora Derbal presents a fascinating study of civil society in the authoritarian context of Saudi Arabia - a topic that is very much under-researched. It's highly original, impressively written and meticulously detailed. This is truly a piece of social science at its absolute best.’ Paul Aarts, University of Amsterdam

‘A ground-breaking study of Saudi charity organizations interwoven with history, contemporary developments, and gender analysis. Comprehensively and holistically researched, rich in statistics and personal lived experience, it is a compelling read for anyone interested in the inner workings of Saudi society and the economy outside of official institutions and narratives.’ Natana Delong-Bas, Boston College

‘Nora Derbal’s book is timely, well-written and based on extensive fieldwork in Saudi Arabia. It is a welcome addition to the literature that places civil society initiatives in Saudi Arabia, especially in the Hijaz, in a wider socio-political context and problematises simplistic notions of state-society relations and authoritarian rule.’ Toby Matthiesen, Ca’ Foscari University

‘a penetrating addition to the research literature on charity' Jonathan Benthall, Books of the Year 2022, Times Literary Supplement

‘An impressive bibliography, which interestingly leaves much space for works in Arabic by Saudi historians as well as interpretations by Saudi activists themselves… Its ethnographic dimension is precious at a time when the conditions for independent research are increasingly difficult for all. It can thus serve as a guidebook for graduate students.’ Laurent Bonnefoy, Arabian Humanities 17

‘Derbal has written a brilliant, innovative and ground-breaking book on aspects of charity and civil society in Saudi Arabia and how it is faring under the authoritarian regime of MbS. The book is packed with her detailed and perceptive field work and research in the Hejaz from 2009 to 2020. It makes a huge contribution to the academic study of charitable work in Saudi Arabia.’ Caroline Montagu, Arab Digest

‘masterly study’ Jonathan Benthall, The Middle East Journal 76/4

From the Publisher