Gary Fitleberg, December 23, 2003

The State Department on condemned Saudi Arabia's record on religious freedom and threatened to impose sanctions on that country if it does not improve religious rights, the Financial Times reported.

"Freedom of religion does not exist," the report said. "Islam is the official religion, and all citizens must be Muslims. The Government limits the practice of all but the officially sanctioned version of Islam and prohibits the public practice of other religions."

Ambassador at Large for International Religious Freedom John Hanford added in a news conference that "Saudi Arabia has been very close to the threshold" of having sanctions imposed.

Gary Fitleberg is a Political Analyst specializing in International Relations with emphasis on Middle East affairs.

Copyright © 2003 Gary Fitleberg