SAUDI ARABIA ISLAMOPHILIA: RECONSTRUCTING CONSERVATIVE ISLAM INTO MODERATE ISLAM THROUGH FOOTBALL

Auliyaur Rachman, Ahmad Salehudin

Abstract


This study explores the reform of football in Saudi Arabia in the context of the Saudi Vision 2030 initiative, which aims to reduce the Kingdom’s economic dependence on oil and gas resources. Employing a descriptive qualitative approach and library research method, the study is grounded in Alexander Wendt’s constructivist theory. The research investigates how Vision 2030 has influenced the lives of Saudi citizens and international visitors, particularly global football stars. Findings suggest that the vision, spearheaded by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, has introduced substantial policy shifts that promote a more socially open, religiously moderate, and internationally welcoming environment. These reforms have not only transformed Saudi Arabia’s domestic landscape but also positioned football players as informal cultural ambassadors. Their presence serves to project a positive image of Saudi Arabia, countering Islamophobic narratives, especially in the Western world, by fostering what can be described as Islamophilia through sports diplomacy.

Keywords


Football; Islam; Saudi Arabia; Conservatism.

rticle

References


Abdellatif, R. (2020, Mei 20). What you need to know: A timeline of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 reforms. Retrieved from english.alarabiya.ne: https://english.alarabiya.net/business/economy/2019/10/28/What-you-need-to-know-A-timeline-of-Saudi-Arabia-s-key-Vision-2030-reforms

ABM, M. A. (2013). Arab Spring: Badai Revolusi Timur Tengah yang Penuh Darah. Yogyakarta: IRCiSoD.

Aljazeera. (2023, Juli 15). Which players have signed for the Saudi Pro League? Retrieved from aljazeera.com: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/7/25/which-players-have-signed-for-the-saudi-pro-league

Alkhereiji, M. (2017, Januari 15). Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030: Clerics will Fall in Line. Retrieved from The Arab Weekly: https://thearabweekly.com/sites/default/files/pdf/2017/01/15-01/p08.pdf

Al-Khudair, D. (2019, Desember 9). Jeddah Eagles flying high with women’s football win. Retrieved from arabnews.com: https://www.arabnews.com/node/1596096/saudi-arabia

Al-Qadhi, M. H. (2017). The Iranian Role in Yemen and Its Implication on the Regional Security. Kairo: AGCIS: Arabian Gulf Center for Iranian Studies.

Al-Tamimi, A. A., & Venkatesha, U. (2021). The Main Factors of Yemeni Conflict: An Analysis. Jurnal Dinamika Pemerintahan, 4(2), 1-14.

Arab, T. N. (2018, Januari 28). This Saudi cleric says women only watch football because of players' thighs. Retrieved from newarab.com: https://www.newarab.com/opinion/saudi-cleric-thinks-women-watching-football-sinful

Arbar, T. F. (2021, Oktober 22). Viral Izin Bikini di Pantai Arab Saudi, Ini Faktanya! Retrieved from cnbcindonesia.com: https://www.cnbcindonesia.com/news/20211022074547-4-285692/viral-izin-bikini-di-pantai-arab-saudi-ini-faktanya

Arbar, T. F. (2024, Agustus 29). Geger Arab Saudi Mau Bangun Bioskop Dekat Ka'bah, Ini Alasannya. Retrieved from cnbcindonesia.com: https://www.cnbcindonesia.com/news/20240829141100-4-567471/geger-arab-saudi-mau-bangun-bioskop-dekat-kabah-ini-alasannya

Assidiq, Y., & Fizriyani, W. (2023, Agustus 30). Mengapa Arab Saudi Banyak Beli Pemain Sepak Bola Dunia? Retrieved from rejogja.republika.co.id: https://rejogja.republika.co.id/berita/s06m5k399/mengapa-arab-saudi-banyak-beli-pemain-sepak-bola-dunia

Assidiq, Y., & Fizriyani, W. (2023). Mengapa Arab Saudi Banyak Beli Pemain Sepak Bola Dunia? Retrieved November 2, 2024, from https://rejogja.republika.co.id/berita/s06m5k399/mengapa-arab-saudi-banyak-beli-pemain-sepak-bola-dunia

Baron, A. (2015). Civil War In Yemen: Imminent and Avoidable. Jurnal European Council on Foreign Relations(130), 1-9.

Basuki, A. R., & dkk. (2019). Perang Saudara di Yaman: Analisis Kepentingan Negara Interventif dan Prospek Resolusi Konflik. Jurnal Ilmu Politik dan Komunikasi, IX(1), 8-24.

BBC. (2018, Januari 13). Perempuan Arab Saudi untuk pertama kali boleh tonton sepak bola di stadion. Retrieved from bbc.com: https://www.bbc.com/indonesia/majalah-42661593

BBC. (2021, Desember 22). Arab Saudi Izinkan Konser Musik, Penonton Pria dan Wanita Boleh Berbaur. Retrieved from detik.com: https://news.detik.com/bbc-world/d-5865288/arab-saudi-izinkan-konser-musik-penonton-pria-dan-wanita-boleh-berbaur

BBC. (2022, November 9). Duta Piala Dunia 2022 sebut 'homoseksual dan LGBT haram', dikritik pegiat HAM: 'Itu berbahaya dan tak bisa diterima'. Retrieved from bbc.com: https://www.bbc.com/indonesia/articles/cljwd2nz4zro

Brom, S., & Guzansky, Y. (2015). The Conflict in Yemen: A Case Study of Iran’s Limited Power. Jurnal INSS Insight, 16(747), 1-3.

CNN. (2022, Oktober 29). 4 Ulama hingga Imam yang Ditangkap di Era Pangeran MbS. Retrieved from cnnindonesia.com: https://www.cnnindonesia.com/internasional/20221028194107-120-866768/4-ulama-hingga-imam-yang-ditangkap-di-era-pangeran-mbs

CNN. (2023, Maret 29). Kronologi Indonesia Batal Jadi Tuan Rumah Piala Dunia U-20 2023. Retrieved from cnnindonesia.com: https://www.cnnindonesia.com/olahraga/20230329224324-142-931049/kronologi-indonesia-batal-jadi-tuan-rumah-piala-dunia-u-20-2023

CNN. (2023, Juni 22). Liburan di Arab Saudi, Messi Dibayar Hampir Rp30 Miliar. Retrieved from cnnindonesia.com: https://www.cnnindonesia.com/olahraga/20230622171313-142-965426/liburan-di-arab-saudi-messi-dibayar-hampir-rp30-miliar#:~:text=Messi%20menjalin%20kerja%20sama%20bernilai,mau%20liburan%20di%20Arab%20Saudi

Cordesman, A. H. (2017). The War in Yemen: Hard Choices in a Hard War. Jurnal Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), 1-16.

Damarjati, D. (2019, Desember 25). Legenda Perang Dunia I: Tentara Inggris vs Jerman Pilih Main Bola. Retrieved from news.detik.com: https://news.detik.com/berita/d-4835401/legenda-perang-dunia-i-tentara-inggris-vs-jerman-pilih-main-bola/2

Dermawan, R. (n.d.). The National Interest Concept in A Globalised International System. International Journal of International Relations, 30-48.

Detik. (2021, Oktober 24). Tak Cuma Pantai Bikini, Arab Saudi Juga Punya Kafe Anjing. Retrieved from Travel Detik: https://travel.detik.com/international-destination/d-5780121/tak-cuma-pantai-bikini-arab-saudi-juga-punya-kafe-anjing

Dewi, I. R. (2022, September 24). Arab Saudi Jadikan Lokasi Ini 'Surga Alkohol', Kapan Berlaku? Retrieved from cnbcindonesia.com: https://www.cnbcindonesia.com/news/20220924125834-4-374647/arab-saudi-jadikan-lokasi-ini-surga-alkohol-kapan-berlaku

Douai, A. (2021). New Media Discourses, Culture and Politics after the Arab Spring. London: Bloomsbury Publishing.

Durac, V. (2012). Yemen's Arab Spring: Democratic Opening or Regime Maintenance? Mediterranean Politics, 17(2), 161-178.

Esfandiary, D., & Tabatabai, A. (n.d.). Yemen: an Opportunity for Iran–Saudi Dialogue? The Washington Quarterly, 39(2), 155-174.

Farhan, A. (2023, Juni 15). Cristiano Ronaldo Ungkap Tantangan Main di Arab Saudi. Retrieved from sport.detik.com: https://sport.detik.com/sepakbola/bola-dunia/d-6775036/cristiano-ronaldo-ungkap-tantangan-main-di-arab-saudi

Farras, A. N. (2020). Balance of Power Dalam Intervensi Arab Saudi Pada Konflik Yaman yang Terjadi Pasca Arab Spring. Journal of International Relations, 6(1), 144-155.

Fatihah, N. A. (2022). Sistem Pemerintahan: Demokrasi dan Monarki. Bandung: Fakultas Dakwah dan Komunikasi UIN Sunan Gunung Djati Bandung.

Fatmawatun. (2019). KRITIK TERHADAP TEOLOGI WAHABIYYAH DI INDONESIA DALAM PEMIKIRAN SAID AQIL SIRADJ. Repository UIN Syarif Hidayatullah, 14-15.

Fauzul, A. Y. (2023). The Development Dynamics of Football and Its Influence Conservatism Culture in Saudi Arabia. International Review of Humanities Studies, Vol. 8, No. 2, 586-587.

Gazette, S. (2020, Mei 20). Full Text of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030. Retrieved from Alarabya News: https://english.alarabiya.net/features/2016/04/26/Full-text-of-Saudi-Arabia-s-Vision-2030

Government, S. (2024). Know About Kingdom. Retrieved November 2, 2024, from https://my.gov.sa/wps/portal/snp/aboutksa

Grove, T., Kalin, S., & Said, S. (2021). Fear of Iran, Shrinking U.S. Role in Middle East Push Rivals Together: Leaders of Israel and the United Arab Emirates Meet Amid Flurry of Diplomacy in Region. The Wall Street Journal, 1-8.

Guzansky, Y. (2012). Yemen: Between Iran, al-Qaeda, and the West. Jurnal INSS Insight, 350(2), 1-3.

Hakiki, F., & Sari, D. S. (2022). Kepentingan Nasional Arab Saudi dalam Kebijakan Intervensi Militer di Yaman terhadap Keterlibatan Iran. Jurnal Hubungan Internasional, 15(1), 93-111.

Hanafi, A. (2003). Pengantar teologi Islam. Jakarta: PT. Pustaka Al Husna Baru.

Hidriyah, S. (2016). Reformasi Ekonomi Arab Saudi. Majalah Info Singkat Hubungan Internasional, Vol. VIII, No. 09, 6.

Idahram, S. (2011). Mereka Memalsukan Kitab-Kitab Karya Ulama Klasik: Episode Kebohongan Publik Sekte Salafi Wahabi. Yogyakarta: Pustaka Pesantren.

Irawan, D. (2021). Dinamika Keamanan Kawasan Timur Tengah dalam Persaingan Kekuatan Iran dan Amerika Serikat. Jurnal Dauliyah, 6(2), 221-248.

Jayadireja, A. (2023, Oktober 15). Dengan Mengucap Bismillah, Cristiano Ronaldo Bikin Geger Dunia. Retrieved from bolasport.com: https://www.bolasport.com/read/313917947/dengan-mengucap-bismillah-cristiano-ronaldo-bikin-geger-dunia?page=all

Johansson, L. (2020). The United States Involvement in Yemen: A Case Study with Rational and Humanitarian Reasoning of the Involvment, Infleunce, and its Objective. Retrieved from https://www.diva-portal.org/smash/get/diva2:1522904/FULLTEXT01.pdf

Juneau, T. (2013). Yemen and the Arab Spring: Elite Struggles, State Collapse and Regional Security. Orbis, 57(3), 408–423.

Kendall, E. (2017). Iran’s Fingerprints in Yemen Real or Imagined? Atlantic Council, 1-11.

Kronenfeld, S., & Guzansky, Y. (2014). Yemen: A Mirror to the Future of the Arab Spring. Military and Strategic Affairs, 6(3), 79-99.

Lacy, A. R.-S. (1994). In the world of Luis Barragán. Margarita de Orellana, 102.

Marco Tampubolon. (2021, September 1). 10 Pemain Sepak Bola dengan Gaji Tertinggi di Tahun 2021, Messi Kalahkan Ronaldo. Retrieved from liputan6.com: https://www.liputan6.com/bola/read/4646574/10-pemain-sepak-bola-dengan-gaji-tertinggi-di-tahun-2021-messi-kalahkan-ronaldo?

May, R. (2013, Februari 13). Arab Saudi : Kontradiksi Sahabat Barat dan Pendukung Teroris. Retrieved from dw.com: https://www.dw.com/id/arab-saudi-kontradiksi-sahabat-barat-dan-pendukung-teroris/a-16593629

Moehnilabib, & dkk. (1997). Dasar-dasar Metodologi Penelitian. Malang: Lembaga Penelitian IKIP Malang.

Mufiedah, A. I. (2020). Reformasi Hak-hak Perempuan Arab Saudi Melalui Saudi Vision 2030 Tahun 2017-2019. Jurnal Solidaritas Universitas Slamet Riyadi, 4(3), 4.

Mukherjee, S., & Arya, Y. (2023, Mei 24). Cristiano Ronaldo: Saudi Pro League Akan Jadi Salah Satu Dari Lima Liga Terbaik Dunia. Retrieved from goal.com: https://www.goal.com/id/berita/cristiano-ronaldo-saudi-pro-league-al-nassr/blta5ac766ffd73ad74

Mustofa, A. Z. (2021). Analisis Kerja Sama Indonesia-Arab Saudi dalam Penanggulangan Kejahatan Terorisme. Jurnal PIR: Power in International Relations, 5(2), 175-190.

Mustofa, A. Z. (2021). Perang Proksi Amerika Serikat dan Iran dalam Politik Global Pasca Arab Spring. Yogyakarta: CV The Journal Publishing.

Mustofa, A. Z., & Syarifah, N. (2021). Politik Ofensif Amerika Serikat terhadap Sikap Defensif Iran: Dari Proksi hingga Dominasi. Indonesian Journal of International Relations, 5(2), 118-139.

Nadia. (2020). Sistem Pemeritahan dan Kebijakan Luar Negeri Arab Saudi. Qaumiyyah: Jurnal Hukum Tata Negara , 1(2), 165.

Narayanan, N. (2024, Desember 12). Saudi Arabia to Deliver Financially Streamlined World Cup 2034, with Soaring Revenues: FIFA Evaluation. Retrieved from arabnews.com: https://www.arabnews.com/node/2582812/business-economy

Narayanan, N. (2024, Desember 12). Saudi Arabia to Deliver Financially Streamlined World Cup 2034, with Soaring Revenues: FIFA Evaluation. Retrieved from Arab News: https://www.arabnews.com/node/2582812/business-economy

NewsUAD. (2019, Oktober 31). Menapak Jalan Dakwah di Bumi Barat bersama Imam Shamsi Ali. Retrieved from news.uad.ac.id: https://news.uad.ac.id/menapak-jalan-dakwah-di-bumi-barat-bersama-imam-shamsi-ali/

Nuechterlein, D. E. (1976). National Interest and Foreign Policy: A Conceptual Framework for Analysis and Decision-Making. Brit. J. International Studies(2), 246-266.

Nugroho, H. (2012). Demokrasi dan Demokratisasi: Sebuah Kerangka Konseptual Untuk Memahami Dinamika Sosial-Politik di Indonesia. Jurnal Pemikiran Sosiologi Volume 1 No.1, 3-10.

Perkins, B. M. (2016). Yemen: Between Revolution and Regression. Studies in Conflict & Terrorism, 1-39.

Potter, L. G. (2017). Saudi Arabia in Transition. Great Decisions, 53.

Potter, L. G. (2017). Saudi Arabia in Transition. Great Decisions, 53.

Pramana, E. (2019, Oktober 8). Arab Saudi Perbolehkan Pasangan Turis Bukan Muhrim Menginap Sekamar. Retrieved from jawapos.com: https://www.jawapos.com/internasional/01240163/arab-saudi-perbolehkan-pasangan-turis-bukan-muhrim-menginap-sekamar

Putra, A. P., & Hidayat, I. A. (2023). Dakwah dan Sepak Bola: Upaya Qatar Membaca Peluang Dakwah Saat Piala Dunia 2022. Journal of Islamic Communication Studies (JICoS), 1(2), 20.

Rachman, A., & Rodiah, I. (2024). Islamic Conservatism Negotiations: Women’s Involvement in Saudi Arabian Football . Sunan Kalijaga: International Journal of Islamic Civilization Volume 7, Number 2, 165.

Rahmadi. (2011). Pengantar Metodologi Penelitian. Banjarmasin: Antasari Press.

Rahman, S. (2019, November 27). Arab Saudi Baru : Visi 2030, Reformasi, dan Wahabisme. Retrieved from Digilib UIN Suka: https://digilib.uin-suka.ac.id/id/eprint/38666/1/17200010161_BAB-I_BAB-IV_DAFTAR-PUSTAKA.pdf

Rahman, S. (2019). Arab Saudi Baru: Visi 2030, Reformasi, dan Wahabisme. Yogyakarta: UIN Sunan Kalijaga.

Rajkhan, S. F. (2014). Women in Saudi Arabia, Status, Rights, and Limitations. Master Thesis in Arts in Policy Studies, University of Washington Bothell, 7.

Ramadhan, R. (2019). The Role of Iran in Yemen Conflict 2014-2018 (An Analysis Of Constructivism). ICSGS: International Conference on Strategic and Global Studies (pp. 1-11). Jakarta: European Union Digital Library.

Ramadhani, N. T. (2023). Saudi Vision 2030 Sebagai Katalisator Sustainable Development Goals Butir Kelima (Kesetaraan Gender) Di Arab Saudi Tahun 2015-2022. JOM FISIP Vol. 10: Edisi II, 10-11.

Reuters. (2016, Mei 25). Penguasa Arab Saudi Beradaptasi dengan Era Media Sosial. Retrieved from VOA Indonesia: https://www.voaindonesia.com/a/penguasa-arab-saudi-beradaptasi-dengan-era-medi-sosial/3345068.html

Rizqullah, K. Y. (2022). Agenda Arab Saudi Dibalik Pembelian Newcastle United Football Club Melalui Public Investment Fund. Surabaya: UIN Sunan Ampel.

Rizqullah, K. Y. (2022, Desember). Agenda Arab Saudi Dibalik Pembelian Newcastle United Football Club Melalui Public Investment Fund. Skripsi: Fakultas Ilmu Sosial dan Ilmu Politik Uin Sunan Ampel Surabaya, 51. Retrieved from digilib.uinsa.ac.id: http://digilib.uinsa.ac.id/61214/2/Kefa%20Yazid%20Rizqullah_I02218014.pdf

Rofii, M. S. (2019). Dinamika Pasca Arab Spring: Membaca Pola “Proxy War” di Suriah dan kawasan Timur Tengah. Jurnal Dinamika Global, 4(2), 283-302.

Rowlatt, J. (2021, Oktober 23). Perubahan iklim: Bocoran dokumen negara-negara persoalkan laporan PBB soal iklim, termasuk komentar Indonesia tentang bahan bakar fosil. Retrieved from bbc.com: https://www.bbc.com/indonesia/dunia-58992865

Safaat, A. S. (2015, November 9). Islam berkembang pesat di Amerika. Retrieved from antaranews.com: https://www.antaranews.com/berita/528328/islam-berkembang-pesat-di-amerika

Sahide, A. (2019). The Arab Spring: Tantangan dan Harapan Demokratisasi. Jakarta: Kompas.

Sari, A. M. (2024, Januari 29). Capai 100 juta wisatawan, Arab Saudi terima pengakuan global WTTC. Retrieved from antaranews.com: https://www.antaranews.com/berita/3988980/capai-100-juta-wisatawan-arab-saudi-terima-pengakuan-global-wttc#:~:text=Jakarta%20(ANTARA)%20%2D%20Kerajaan%2

Sholihah, N. (2023). Transformation Of The Roles Of Saudi Arabian Women Post-Implementation of The "Saudi Vision 2030" In The Perspective of Modernism. CMES, 205.

Sinclair, K. (2011). Reviewed Work(s): Islamophobia/Islamophilia: Beyond the Politics of Enemy and Friend by Andrew Shryock. Taylor & Francis, Ltd, 452.

Sorongan, T. P. (2023, Seprtember 21). Israel & Arab Saudi Makin Mesra, Ini Bukti Terbaru MBS. Retrieved from cnbcindonesia.com: https://www.cnbcindonesia.com/news/20230921175335-4-474546/israel-arab-saudi-makin-mesra-ini-bukti-terbaru-mbs

studies.aljazeera.net. (2017). The Death of a Dictator: Yemen’s Miasma after Saleh. AlJazeera Centre for Studies, 1-8.

Syahrum, & Salim. (2012). Metodologi Penelitian Kualitatif. Bandung: Citapustaka Media.

Tashandra, N. (2023, Oktober 22). Ronaldo dan Pesepakbola Dunia Bikin Kunjungan Wisata ke Arab Saudi Naik. Retrieved from travel.kompas.com: https://travel.kompas.com/read/2023/10/22/171600627/ronaldo-dan-pesepakbola-dunia-bikin-kunjungan-wisata-ke-arab-saudi-naik#google_vignette

Terrill, W. A. (2011). The Conflict in Yemen and U.S. National Security. Strategic Studies Institute, US Army War College.

Tibi, B. (2013). The Islamist Venture of the Politicization of Islam to an Ideology of Islamism: A Critique of the Dominating Narrative in Western Islamic Studies. An Interdisciplinary Journal, 96 (4), 435.

TV, P. (Director). (2015). Arab pranks public by dropping bag [Motion Picture].

Wendt, A. (1992). Anarchy is What States Make of It: The Social Construction of Power Politics. Cambridge: International Organization 2.

Widiarko, I. (2024, Desember 9). Kisah Haru Cristiano Ronaldo, Minta Latihan Dihentikan saat Azan Berkumandang Hingga Akui Tertarik Memeluk Islam. Retrieved from bola.okezone.com: https://bola.okezone.com/read/2024/12/09/51/3093848/kisah-haru-cristiano-ronaldo-minta-latihan-dihentikan-saat-azan-berkumandang-hingga-akui-tertarik-memeluk-islam

Winarni, L., & Permana, A. P. (2022). Saudi Vision 2030 and the Challenge of Competitive Identity Transformation in Saudi Arabia. Journal of Islamic World and Politics 6, no. 1, 105.

Yuliana. (2024). Visi 2030: Analisis Perubahan Kebijakan Arab Saudi Terhadap Haji dan Umroh. Yogyakarta: UIN Sunan Kalijaga.

Yuliana. (2024, Januari 17). VISI 2030: ANALISIS PERUBAHAN KEBIJAKAN ARAB SAUDI TERHADAP HAJI DAN UMROH. Tesis : UIN Sunan Kalijaga Yogyakarta, 44. Retrieved from theguardian.com: https://www.theguardian.com/business/2016/jan/17/oil-price-slump-true-cost-uk-economy

Yulianto, C. (2023, April 4). Kisah Didier Drogba Legenda Chelsea yang Hentikan Perang Saudara Lewat Sepakbola. Retrieved from bola.okezone.com: https://bola.okezone.com/read/2023/04/04/51/2792606/kisah-didier-drogba-legenda-chelsea-yang-hentikan-perang-saudara-lewat-sepakbola?page=1

Zawya. (2023, Maret 24). Saudi Arabian Women’s National Team continues rapid growth journey by officially entering FIFA World Ranking for first time. Retrieved from zawya.com: https://www.zawya.com/en/press-release/events-and-conferences/saudi-arabian-womens-national-team-continues-rapid-growth-journey-by-officially-entering-fifa-world-ranking-for-first-time-d1e3qdq3

Zulfikar, F. (2022, Maret 26). 10 Olahraga Paling Populer di Dunia, Mana yang Kamu Suka? Retrieved from detik.com: https://www.detik.com/edu/detikpedia/d-6002092/10-olahraga-paling-populer-di-dunia-mana-yang-kamu-suka




DOI: https://doi.org/10.20961/cmes.18.1.94870

Refbacks

  • There are currently no refbacks.


Bookmark and Share


Copyright (c) 2025 Center of Middle Eastern Studies (CMES)

Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.



Copyright of CMES ISSN 2085-563X (print) and ISSN 2502-1044 (online)

      


CMES Journal is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.