The first-ever report regarding the state of religious freedom in Saudi Arabia compiled by Saudi citizens was released January 30.  Detailing repression of the many minority Islamic sects in Saudi Arabia, the document reports persecution ranging from excessive government regulation and discrimination to the arrest and torture of clerics. 

“This is a very significant event,” says John Graz, secretary-general of the International Religious Liberty Association.  “The role played by Saudi citizens in gathering information and compiling this report demonstrates that there is a core group of Saudis who do not accept their government’s policy of negation of human rights and denial of religious freedom.”

There is no constitutional protection of religious freedom in this Middle Eastern country, and Islam is the official state religion.  Although private worship by non-Muslims is permitted, proselytism is strictly forbidden.