Article 34 of the Saudi Basic Law of Governance
المادة 34 من النظام الأساسي للحكم · الباب الخامس: الحقوق والواجبات
The Article makes defending the Islamic faith, society and the homeland a duty of every citizen, and refers the rules of military service to the law.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
الدفاع عن العقيدة الإسلامية، والمجتمع ، والوطن واجب على كل مواطن، ويبين النظام أحكام الخدمة العسكرية.
This is the official Arabic wording, the only legally binding version. We do not translate the law itself; the explanation below is ours. Official source: Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers
Article 34 explained in plain English
This Article contains two provisions:
- The duty of defense: defending the Islamic faith, society and the homeland is a duty of every citizen. The Article addresses citizens and makes this duty general for them.
- Referral to the law: the rules of military service are set out by the law, meaning that the Article itself does not specify who is required to perform military service, its duration, its conditions or exemption from it.
Accordingly, it cannot be concluded from the Article alone whether military service is compulsory or voluntary; the Article establishes the duty of defense in general terms and leaves the details of military service to the law issued on the subject.
The Article complements Article 33, which provides that the State establishes the armed forces and equips them to defend the faith, the Two Holy Mosques, society and the homeland; Article 33 deals with the role of the State, and Article 34 deals with the citizen's duty.
Anyone who wants to know their obligations relating to military service should refer to the law that governs it, and may consult a lawyer who specializes in administrative cases if they have a specific matter.
Translated from our Arabic explanation with machine assistance. For guidance only; it does not replace advice from a lawyer on your situation.
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Frequently asked questions about Article 34 of the Saudi Basic Law of Governance
Is defending the homeland a duty of the Saudi citizen?
Yes. Article 34 provides that defending the Islamic faith, society and the homeland is a duty of every citizen.
Does Article 34 provide that conscription is compulsory?
No. The Article refers the rules of military service to the law and does not itself specify whether it is compulsory or its conditions or duration.
What is the difference between Article 33 and Article 34?
Article 33 deals with the State's establishment and equipping of the armed forces, and Article 34 deals with every citizen's duty of defense.
More articles on Defense and State of Emergency
- Article 33
The Article provides that the State establishes the armed forces and equips them to defend the faith, the Two Holy Mosques, society and the homeland.
تنشئ الدولة القوات المسلحة، وتجهزها من أجل الدفاع عن العقيدة، والحرمين الشريفين، والمجتمع، والوطن.
- Article 60
The Article provides that the King is the Supreme Commander of all military forces and is the one who appoints officers and ends their service in accordance with the law.
الملك هو القائد الأعلى لكافة القوات العسكرية ، وهو الذي يعين الضباط ، وينهي خدماتهم، وفقا للنظام.
- Article 61
The Article provides that the King declares a state of emergency, general mobilization and war, and that the law sets out the rules for that.
يعلن الملك حالة الطوارئ ، والتعبئة العامة ، والحرب ، ويبين النظام أحكام ذلك.
- Article 62
The Article gives the King the power to take urgent measures to meet any danger that threatens the safety of the Kingdom, the integrity of its territory, the security of its people, or the work of State institutions.
للملك إذا نشأ خطر يهدد سلامة المملكة ، أو وحدة أراضيها، أو أمن شعبها ومصالحه، أو يعوق مؤسسات الدولة عن أداء مهامها، أن يتخذ من الإجراءات السريعة ما يكفل مواجهة
- Article 82
The article prohibits suspending any provision of the Basic Law of Governance except temporarily in wartime or while a state of emergency is declared, in the manner set out in the Law, without prejudice to Article 7.
مع عدم الإخلال بما ورد في المادة السابعة من هذا النظام، لا يجوز بأي حال من الأحوال تعطيل حكم من أحكام هذا النظام، إلا أن يكون ذلك مؤقتا في زمن الحرب، أو في أثنا
The texts are reproduced from the official website of the Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers for reference; where they differ, the officially published Arabic text prevails. This content is not legal advice.