"Vision 2030: Saudi Arabia’s Plan for a 'Modern Islam'” by Bryant
In April 2015, thirty year old Mohammed Bin Salman was named Crown Prince and heir to Saudi Arabia’s throne. The following year the Crown Prince would introduce a plan known as “Vision 2030.” The plan’s main goal is to make the state’s economy less dependent on oil, but also to make the religion of Islam in the state a more “moderate” version of Islam. While Saudi Arabia is the world’s leading exporter of oil, the Prince believes that with environmental protection standards changing, that oil will soon be surpassed by other energy sources. Salman’s strategy for making his nation less reliant on oil is to make his country more attractive to foreign investors. He hopes to achieve this goal through changing Saudi culture to be much more appealing to non-Muslims through social reforms. The plans proposed by the Crown Prince have brought to light many issues like religion and women’s rights.
For many decades the religious police of Saudi Arabia have kept a firm and conservative grip on the public, forcing them to strictly follow their Islamic doctrine. They have been the perpetrators of acts such as the whipping, beating, and public shaming of women who commited minor offenses like not having their head covered in public. However, in 2017 the Crown Prince stripped the religious police of powers, such as the power to arrest and the power to define what’s right and wrong. In one account given by Zeina Farhan, she describes an event in October 2017 where she was walking in public without her headscarf on. When a police car pulled up she expected a beating or jail time, but instead the officer simply said, “Please madam can you just cover your hair during prayer time”? She describes herself as feeling “Stunned” and even says, “To see them like that showed how much things have changed.”
Salman’s public reforms haven’t stopped at restricting religious police, though. He has taken an active role in many women’s rights reforms over the past year including allowing women to drive, allowing women to be in public without a male, allowing women to attend football matches, and even allowing women to open a business without a male guardian. These changes are huge considering almost every country in the region has strict laws prohibiting such acts. Before Salman, any woman caught performing such acts would be imprisoned or killed. Salman’s ultimate goal is to bring more women into the workforce to attract more investors into the region, making it less dependent on oil.
Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman
Salman’s public reforms haven’t stopped at restricting religious police, though. He has taken an active role in many women’s rights reforms over the past year including allowing women to drive, allowing women to be in public without a male, allowing women to attend football matches, and even allowing women to open a business without a male guardian. These changes are huge considering almost every country in the region has strict laws prohibiting such acts. Before Salman, any woman caught performing such acts would be imprisoned or killed. Salman’s ultimate goal is to bring more women into the workforce to attract more investors into the region, making it less dependent on oil.
In late 2017 Saudi women were granted the right to drive
The public reforms have sparked what many have called a “cultural revolution.” Other things Salman has done besides women’s rights and religious reforms have been extremely impactful as well. Muslims in Saudi Arabia can now visit religious sites that pre-date Islam, something that has never been allowed. Also, Salman has promised to reintroduce movie theaters into Saudi Arabia and change education curriculums. While these public reforms have sparked outrage from Muslims who wish to stay conservative, most Saudis have bought into Salman’s vision and have accepted the changes.
Works Cited
Williams, Sara Elizabeth. “Saudi Reform Continues as Women given Freedom to Open
Businesses.” The Telegraph, Telegraph Media Group, 18 Feb. 2018,
“Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman, Power behind the Throne.” BBC News, BBC, 6
Chulov, Martin. “'This Is a Revolution': Saudis Absorb Crown Prince's Rush to Reform.” The
Guardian, Guardian News and Media, 7 Nov. 2017,
Chulov, Martin. “I Will Return Saudi Arabia to Moderate Islam, Says Crown Prince.” The
Guardian, Guardian News and Media, 24 Oct. 2017,
Through our Western lens, these social reforms seem like something that should've happened long ago. However, do you think this is really a good idea? Is this quick, dramatic change wise, considering how deeply intertwined the Islamic religion is to Middle Eastern culture? What repercussions do you think are probable or even inevitable with these social reforms? Is this new leader progressive or enforcing ethnocentrism?
ReplyDeleteBryant dear Bryant, your blog is good as usual. I am very impressed at your hard work that you put into this. I am very grateful for the things that I usually take for granted like going to the movies and driving. I think that this is a very interesting topic that should be watched closely in the near future. The steps that have been taken are good, but I'm not sure this will last very long. I hope that all ends well for these people. Good job!
ReplyDeleteYour blog is amazing. I really love this topic and what is going on with it. What Grace said does bring up a good point but i disagree with it because these things that are changing are just basic human rights. Women should not be killed for going to see a football game. I like how you put in the part about the woman being surprised when she was not arrested. I also like that you put how the nation is responding to these sudden changes. Well done!
ReplyDeleteYou blog is great. It is very informative and well written. I am glad you pointed out things that are seen as normal to us, but are foreign and not provided or expected in other places.
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