Faith-Based Humanitarianism: The Role of Islamic Values in Shaping Saudi Arabia's Regional Aid Strategy

Abstract

This project investigates how Islamic values shape Saudi Arabia’s humanitarian aid strategy by analysing the historical evolution, strategic deployment, and operational dynamics of its flagship agency, King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSRelief). Drawing on a wide range of secondary sources, the research explores the intersection of faith, statecraft, and governance in the Kingdom’s aid practices. It finds that while KSRelief is framed in the language of Islamic ethics, zakat, sadaqah, and ummah, its institutional design is largely driven by geopolitical interests, global diplomacy, and soft power aims. The study critically examines the tension between ethical rhetoric and strategic execution, revealing that Islamic references are often instrumentalised rather than embedded in practice. In conflict settings such as Yemen, this dissonance becomes especially pronounced, raising concerns about ethical coherence and legitimacy. Moreover, the research highlights a lack of robust governance mechanisms, including limited community participation and independent oversight. Through thematic and conceptual analysis, supported by visual frameworks, the project challenges the assumption that state-led Islamic humanitarianism automatically translates into faith-consistent outcomes. I. Recommendations urge institutional reforms: integrating third-party audits, establishing participatory frameworks such as local zakat boards, disentangling aid from strategic interests, and ensuring Arabic-language transparency. These steps aim to realign Saudi humanitarian practice with the ethical foundations it invokes, fostering greater accountability and effectiveness in serving vulnerable populations.