National Strategy for Maintaining Integrity and Combating Corruption
Corruption is a multidimensional phenomenon that encompasses any conduct that violates laws and regulations or threatens the public interest, such as abuse of authority or the pursuit of personal gain. In Islamic Sharia, corruption refers to anything that is contrary to righteousness, and both Qur’anic verses and Prophetic Hadiths have emphasized its seriousness and the obligation to combat it.
Corruption-related crimes include bribery, abuse of influence, misuse of authority, illicit enrichment, embezzlement, money laundering, forgery, and commercial fraud.
The experiences of nations indicate that corruption is a global phenomenon that can emerge in various systems whenever conditions conducive to its spread are present.
Corruption arises from multiple causes, including weak oversight and the failure of regulations to keep pace with the needs of society. It also leads to serious consequences, most notably obstructing development and weakening the efficiency of government entities.
Combating corruption requires comprehensive reform programs based on accurate diagnosis, political support, cooperation between government entities and society, the promotion of ethical values, and the benefit of international experience.
Guided by the principles of Islamic Sharia, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has accorded great importance to protecting integrity and combating corruption, and has worked to develop the laws and procedures necessary to address it in all its forms.
