Sherman123
DP Veteran
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No.. I know them pretty well.. and that's not accurate.
The rift is between the clerics and everyone else including the Al Saud.
It's more complex than that. The al-Saud is itself a divided family and it can be very difficult to discern who is in the ascendant and what contours will actually emerge. The death of Nayef and the weakening of the Sudairi branch may be a blessing in terms of strengthening Abdullah and his wing, but there is a vast amount of varied issues that need to be addressed and it is unclear what positions will be taken. Among the clerical establishment there is again a division and a paradox. The clerics represent the strongest alliance the al-Saud has in terms of providing institutional Islamic legitimacy, and inculcating that from cradle to the grave, and allowing the al-Saud to have themselves written into official doctrine. Likewise the clerics require the al-Saud's support so that their largesse and salaries will remain forthcoming as well as the means for continued ministering in the Kingdom and overseas. However attempts to move forward socially have drawn fiery criticism from the clerical body both online and occasionally in public statements, while simultaneously tapping into deeply conservative elements in Saudi society (made so by their education and religious upbringing). The al-Saud is then confronted with the problem of maintaining legitimacy and stability whilst trying to move forward enough to keep pace with social change from below, while also not upsetting the balance and setting off a reactionary wave from those they are ostensibly in alliance with and ruling over.