The Arab Uprisings in Saudi Discourse – Intellectual and Religious Perspectives from the Kingdom

Description

The article examines the current Saudi discourse on the recent political changes in the MENA region. While not finding itself in a major political crisis, Saudi Arabia nonetheless has seen some protests, especially in the Eastern Region, home to most of its Shiite minority. Neither the Saudi rulers nor other political, social or religious actors have been able or even willing to ignore the implications of the regional turmoil on the domestic level. The paper argues that, while many regard the events as an opportunity to repeat former calls for advanced civic participation, the Saudi rulers themselves view it as a chance to create stability and to promote the Al Saud as “Heirs of both: Stability and Reform”.