The Relationship between Al-Sahwa Social Movement and the Saudi Regime, an Apprisal

Abstract

Al-Sahwa is a social movement, with a clear socio-religio dimension that has emerged against the background of the Arab Cold War that witnessed a series of conflicts between the nationalism bloc led by Gamal Abd al-Nasser and the more traditional bloc led by King Faysal of Saudi Arabia. It is also a product of the modernization process that took place during the 70s in the kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It has emerged from the state institutions, and as it evolved it was aiming to eliminate the classical division between the political domain and the religious sphere. Al-Sahwa was able to blur this schism through engaging in politics and pursuing activism. In doing so it was able to challenge the status quo, and exercise serious pressure over the Saudi regime. During the last two decades, al-Sahwa has managed to confront the regime at the advent of the Gulf War, and to invigorate the fears of the Saudi regime in mid-2000 and during the Arab Uprisings. Al-Sahwa encountering with the regime during the last 50 years, indicates that it poses a challenge mainly when it’s empowered by a regional or international event.