Perfect Imperfection: Socio-cultural and Religious Reforms in Saudi Arabia

Five years since then-Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) unveiled Vision 2030, reforms continue to be rolled out in Saudi Arabia. Early this year, for example, it announced new judicial reforms that set it on a course towards codified law – a major step for a country whose legal system is based on Islamic law.  While such reforms are aimed at boosting the liberalisation drive by softening the nation’s austere image, jarring contradictions remain. Women’s rights, for instance, remain a target of criticism – a recent article in The Washington Post revealed clandestine shelters that incarcerate “disobedient” women. This raises several questions: Is social change for real? What is the price of change?

Social change is but one aspect of MBS’ vision. Religion is another target. The crown prince has said that Wahhabism is akin to “deifying human beings”. This follows his championing of “moderate Islam” reining in the clerical class and resetting the role of religion in the state. How successful has this religious re-orientation been? What are the implications for Riyadh’s role as the gatekeeper of the global Muslim community?