Saudi Royals

[Dreamweaver]

Trouble in the Al Saud family has been brewing for a long time, and maybe about to explode. Since succession is no longer from father to eldest son, but to any brother chosen or a son of his, there are heaps of princes playing a part in government, many at odds with each other - royal feuding.

http://www.news.com.au/world/middle-eas ... ac38c6b180

The King doesn't get all the say, Government is dominated by the vast royal family, the Al Saud, which has often been divided by internal disputes and into factions. According to at least some observers, traditionally, issues such as

• "foreign policy, national defense, and international affairs have been "the purview of the state" in Saudi Arabia,

while

• "justice, education, and family matters", being related to religion, had been handled by "the religious establishment".

The significance of the ulema (the body of Islamic religious leaders and jurists) is derived from the central role of religion in Saudi society. It has been said that Islam is more than a religion, it is a way of life in Saudi Arabia, and, as a result, the influence of the ulema is pervasive.[37] Saudi Arabia is almost unique in giving the ulema a direct role in government,[38] the only other example being Iran.[39] Prior to 1971, a council of senior ulema advising the king was headed by the Grand Mufti and met informally. In that year, the council was formalized in a Council of Senior Scholars, appointed by the king and with salaries paid by the government.[40]

Not only is royal succession subject to the approval of the ulema,[3] so are all new laws (royal decrees).[38] The ulema have also influenced major executive decisions, for example the imposition of the oil embargo in 1973 and the invitation of foreign troops to Saudi Arabia in 1990.[41] It plays a major role in the judicial and education systems[42] and has a monopoly of authority in the sphere of religious and social morals.[43]

However, in recent years, "the Saudi state has been working to reclaim control of these areas."[2]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Politics_of_Saudi_Arabia

[Dreamweaver]

I will return Saudi Arabia to moderate Islam, says crown prince The Saudi crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman, told the Guardian the rigid doctrines of the past three decades were the result of not knowing how to deal with the Iranian revolution.

Martin Chulov in Riyadh
Wednesday 25 October 2017 05.24 AEDT
Saudi Arabia’s crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman, has vowed to return the country to “moderate Islam” and asked for global support to transform the hardline kingdom into an open society that empowers citizens and lures investors.

In an interview with the Guardian, the powerful heir to the Saudi throne said the ultra-conservative state had been “not normal” for the past 30 years, blaming rigid doctrines that have governed society in a reaction to the Iranian revolution, which successive leaders “didn’t know how to deal with”.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/ ... MP=soc_567

[godfather]

IMHO, Mohammed bin Salman is on the right treck. He has already changed the law to let women drive cars, and has advanced plans to build a $650 billion completely NEW CITY on the Red Sea.

Actually, what he is attempting to do is to prepare the Kingdom for the times after the oil runs out! He is a progressive thinker which will auger well for the country!

[Dreamweaver]

Another of his plans- 235 sq miles

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_cont ... 53DzL3_BHA