Saudi Arabia: Politics of Reforms in The Post-9/11 Era

Term ¿reform¿ or ¿reformation¿ is not new for Saudi society. Since its formation these terms are continuously being used. The transformation of Arabian Peninsuläs geographic arrangement into modern state of Saudi Arabia itself is the result of socio-religious reform movement of Wahhabism. Later it passed through many reformation phases in the context of Pan Arabism, rising religious militancy after Iranian Revolution, falling oil prices in different global political scenarios, Persian Gulf War, and finally the worst among all, events of September 11, 2001. Before 9/11 some reformed socio-political and religious parameters started changing a stubborn and orthodox sphere into comparatively modernize and flexible environment. Since 9/11 Saudi Arabia is facing many internal and external threats. These threats are mainly considered as the major drivers that led the Saudi society towards serious steps of socio-cultural, economic and political reforms. Reform process and its outputs in Saudi Arabia has become a matter of great significance, not only for Royal House and Saudi citizens, but also for international community as well.