Hinduism in Saudi Arabia

Hinduism is the 3rd largest religion in Saudi Arabia, followed by nearly 1.3% of total population residing in the nation. As of 2020, there were nearly 708,000 Hindus residing in Saudi Arabia, among whom most of them were Indians and Nepalis. There has been a large migration of Indians to Saudi Arabia, with the number of Hindus also witnessing a growth.

Background
Saudi Arabia is an Islamic theocracy. Sunni Islam is the state religion and the public practice of any religion other than Islam is not allowed. All of the Hindus living in the nation are foreign-based expatriates and tourists on working and tourist permits.

Most Indians in the earlier waves of emigration to Saudi Arabia were Muslim, but after 2001 the share of Indian Hindus has increased, as has the number of Hindus from the Nepali diaspora, and Hinduism is now the fastest growing religion in Saudi Arabia due to migration of Hindus and increase in their fertility rate. Though having an adequate population of Hindus, there is no Hindu temple or any other place of worship for non-Muslims and the freedom of religion of non-Muslims is very much limited.

Limitations
Like other non-Muslim religions, Hindus are not permitted to die publicly in Saudi Arabia. There have also been some complaints of destruction of Hindu religious items by Saudi Arabian authorities. Saudi authorities interpret Hindu icons as idols, and idol worship is strongly condemned in Islam. This is likely the foundation for the stringent position of Saudi authorities when it comes to idol worshiper religious practice.

Any conversion away from Islam is known as apostasy and it invites capital punishment. Proselytizing by non-Muslims, including the distribution of non-Muslim religious materials such as Bhagavad Gita, and Ahmedi Books are illegal.