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The Meaning of Saudi Elections

King Saud University

Saudi Arabia experiences its first approach to citizen’s political participation. There are many significant questions over the acceptability of democracy in the society and the attitude of different Islamic understandings of democracy without any segregation between religion and the state, especially where the concept of democracy has not been materialized yet. This article raises a question that one might apply when thinking of democracy in a 100% Islamic state; if Arabs and Muslims have such an integrated legislative base represented in Islam, why were the democratic atmospheres absent in their societies? The Muslims and the Arabs in general are reluctant toward a democracy imposed by force and are more comfortable with a self-adopted democracy. Despite the fact that women have been absent in this primary election, Saudi Arabia has reinvented a unique approach to election that can accommodate both state and religion.

Key Words: Saudi election • Hend Al-Khuthaila

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