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https://www.dawn.com/news/1365957/saudi-crown-prince-promises-a-country-of-moderate-islam
I link the decline of Saudi Arabia with its embracing of this "moderate, open Islam". The moderation and opening of Islam by the Saudis will of course not affect the absolute monarchy and its authoritarianism. In short, it isn't a political opening or liberalization, but a cultural and social one reminiscent of the disastrous program of the beard shaving King Amanullah in Afghanistan.
Think about the implications of this. They want to create a tourist resort in the sacred Tihama region along the Red Sea coast, with semi-nude beaches and what not.
Juhayman's uprising in 1979 was a reaction to much milder things like television and presence of non-Muslim guest workers.
Saudi Arabia's powerful Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Tuesday vowed to restore “moderate, open” Islam in a kingdom known for its ultra-conservative rule.
“We are returning to what we were before, a country of moderate Islam that is open to all religions and to the world,” he said at an economic forum in Riyadh.
“We will not spend the next 30 years of our lives dealing with destructive ideas. We will destroy them today,” he added. “We will end extremism very soon.”
The crown prince's statement is the most direct attack by a top official on the Gulf country's influential conservative religious establishment.
Since his sudden appointment on June 21, Prince Mohammed has pushed ahead with reforms.
He is widely regarded as being the force behind King Salman's decision last month to lift a long-standing ban on women driving.
“We are returning to what we were before, a country of moderate Islam that is open to all religions and to the world,” he said at an economic forum in Riyadh.
“We will not spend the next 30 years of our lives dealing with destructive ideas. We will destroy them today,” he added. “We will end extremism very soon.”
The crown prince's statement is the most direct attack by a top official on the Gulf country's influential conservative religious establishment.
Since his sudden appointment on June 21, Prince Mohammed has pushed ahead with reforms.
He is widely regarded as being the force behind King Salman's decision last month to lift a long-standing ban on women driving.
Saudi Arabia plans to build a "semi-autonomous" visa-free travel destination along its northwestern Red Sea coast where restrictions on women's dress, gender segregation and other conservative norms could be waived.
Juhayman's uprising in 1979 was a reaction to much milder things like television and presence of non-Muslim guest workers.
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