Religious Factor and Moslem Pilgrimage in Russian-Saudi Relations

Avatkov V.A., Ostanin-Golovnya V.D.

Abstract

In the 21st century, the religious factor began to play an increasingly significant role in world politics. This can be seen both in global and regional processes, and at the level of individual countries. The relations between Russia and Saudi Arabia are a confirmation of this thesis. Despite certain differences on a number of issues, Moscow and Riyadh have maintained close contacts since the early 1990s. The religious factor played an important role in the development of Russian-Saudi relations. After the collapse of the USSR, the Moslem peoples of Russia and the post-Soviet East were given the opportunity to make pilgrimages to the holy places of Islam in Saudi Arabia, which was directly reflected in the state policy of both countries.

Keywords

Saudi Arabia; Russia; post-Soviet East; religious factor; Russian-Saudi relations; Hajj.

DOI: 10.31249/rimm/2022.02.07

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