Shia Islam in Saudi Arabia

An estimated 10% to 15% of the approximately 20 million natives of Saudi Arabia are Shia Muslims. The modern Kingdom of Saudi Arabia—formed in 1932—was formed as an alliance between the House of Saud and followers of strict Sunni Islamic scholar Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab—often referred to as the ""Wahhabi movement"" or ""Wahhabi mission"". Followers of the Wahhabi mission—who dominate religious institutions, courts and education of the kingdom—believe Muslims should return to the interpretation of Islam found in the classical texts, the Quran and the Sunnah. They also believe that Muslims who seek intercession from holy men—such as the Imams Shia revere—are not true Muslims. While attempts to force conversion of Shia have been infrequent, Shia have alleged severe discrimination in Saudi Arabia. Saudi authorities, on the other hand, have suspected that the Islamic Republic of Iran—a Shia power close to Saudi oil fields—has encouraged Saudi Shia to rise up and work for the overthrow of the royal family.