From the very early history of the Ahmadiyya Movement in the late 19th century, Ahmadis have had contact with the region in what were then a host of Ottoman provinces in the Arabian peninsula, primarily due to their spiritual connection to the two holy cities of Mecca and Medina.
The first Arab Ahmadi from the region, according to Ahmadiyya historical records, was Sheikh Muhammad bin Ahmad al-Makki, a resident of Shi'b 'Amir in the city of Mecca.
Ahmadis generally gather together in private properties for their daily prayers,[10] thereby limiting exposure to the local authorities.
A fortnight later, in early January 2007, the police arrested 5 Ahmadis from major industrial cities of Jubail and Dammam in the Eastern Province.
In February of the same year, two more Ahmadi guest workers were arrested from the capital of the country Riyadh, in central Saudi Arabia.
It requires that all Muslims applying for a passport must denigrate the founder of the community, Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, and declare that all Ahmadis are non-Muslims.