Did Sunni Ottoman Turks rule Saudi Arabia before Al Saud’s family? How was the rule under Ottoman Turks?

The Arabian Peninsula, including present-day Saudi Arabia, was under Ottoman rule for a significant period before the emergence of the Al Saud dynasty. The Ottoman Empire, which was a Sunni Muslim empire, expanded its territories into various regions, including parts of the Arabian Peninsula.

The Hejaz region, where the holy cities of Mecca and Medina are located, came under Ottoman control in the 16th century. The Ottomans maintained their presence in the region for several centuries, with varying degrees of influence and control. The rule of the Ottomans in the Hejaz was characterized by a system of local governance, with governors appointed by the Ottoman authorities.

While the Ottomans controlled the Hejaz and other parts of the Arabian Peninsula, they faced periodic challenges, including tribal rebellions and external threats. The local population in the Hejaz continued to have a degree of autonomy, and the Ottomans generally respected the religious significance of the holy cities.

The situation changed in the early 20th century with the emergence of the First World War. The Arab Revolt, led by figures such as Sherif Hussein bin Ali and his sons, sought to end Ottoman rule in the Arab territories. As a result of the conflict, the Ottoman Empire was dismantled, and the Hejaz gained greater autonomy.

In 1924, the Al Saud family, led by Abdulaziz Ibn Saud (commonly known as Ibn Saud), successfully captured the city of Mecca from the Hashemite Sharif of Mecca, who had been appointed by the British. This marked a turning point, and Ibn Saud went on to consolidate control over much of the Arabian Peninsula, eventually establishing the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in 1932.

The rule of the Al Saud family in Saudi Arabia has continued since then, with the country evolving politically, economically, and socially. The Ottoman era left its mark on the history of the region, and the transition from Ottoman rule to the establishment of the Saudi state is a significant chapter in the history of the Arabian Peninsula.