Whither Saudi Arabia’s Wahhabism?
NOVANEWS
By James M. Dorsey
Saudi Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman could well dash expectations that he is gunning for a break with Sunni Muslim ultra-conservatism rather than a shaving off of the rough edges of Wahhabi ideology that has been woven into the kingdom’s fabric since its founding more than 80 years ago.
Prince Muhammad has fuelled expectations by fostering Islamic scholars who advocate a revision of Wahhabism as well as by lifting a ban on women’s driving and creating space for entertainment, including music, theatre, film and, for conservatives, controversial sports events like wrestling.
The expectations were reinforced by the fact that King Salman and Prince Muhammad have called into question the degree to which the rule of the Al Sauds remains dependent on religious leg...