Abstract
In Saudi Arabia, the ulama has been providing religious legitimacy for Saudi rule since the 18th century and the foundation of the first kingdom. This group includes religious scholars, judges (qadis), lawyers, teachers, and the imams. They number about 7000 to 10 000 individuals, but only a very small group constituted of the most senior of them exercise a substantial political influence. They are gathered in the Council of Senior Ulama (Hay'at Kibar al-Ulama) created by King Faisal in 1971 in order to facilitate the consultation between the Ulama and the established political power. Since then, the king appoints its members, and consults the Council on a regular basis. According to M. Fandy, The main functions of the Council of Senior Ulama is, expressing opinions on the sharia regarding matters submitted to them by the king.
