Breaking with tradition

Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz created history recently when he appointed the kingdom's first woman minister, Nora Al Fayez, as the deputy education minister for women's affairs, in a cabinet reshuffle.

The move was seen as a major break with tradition in the conservative country. Besides, the reshuffle also saw the dismissal of four ministers and heads of the powerful religious police and judicial bodies.

The ongoing reforms, encompassing all vital sectors of society marked an important turning point.

Revisions to the 21-man Council of Religious Scholars brought in representatives from three more moderate Sunni schools, a move that has been welcomed by Saudis and other Muslims and generated high hopes about future reforms.

The Saudi leader has made it a point to focus on a massive overhaul of the educational and judicial sectors.

King Abdullah emphasised his policy of moderation while restructuring the powerful religious bodies of the Supreme Judiciary Council and the Senior Scholars Commission, as well as the Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice (religious police).

But the King has in the past moved cautiously, despite his reputation as a reformer.

While there are few constitutional limits on his power — an appointed Shura Council has only advisory functions — he must consider the wishes of the extended royal family and the clerical establishment, as well as public opinion.

But if his changes give an impetus to wider reforms, King Abdullah will have secured an important legacy.