Publication

This report addresses the two faces of Islamism in contemporary Saudi Arabia: the militant, violent one intent on destabilizing the kingdom, and the moderate, progressive one, intent on promoting political, social and religious reform. The paper provides a survey of Saudi Islamism and its development over time and introduces different reformist Islamist factions as well as the groups of violent Islam, including al-Qaida. The paper calls for political reform in Saudi Arabia, including a broadening of the political space, giving more citizens a voice and allowing them to organize freely.