Arab uprisings that spread to the conservative Gulf region face a crucial test this week in Saudi Arabia, where activists have made unprecedented calls for mass protests against the kingdom’s absolute monarchy.
Protests are also planned for Friday in other Gulf countries, including Yemen, Kuwait and Bahrain
The time after Friday prayers has proved to be crucial in popular uprisings that have brought down Tunisian and Egyptian rulers who once seemed invulnerable.
Gulf leaders are struggling to hold back an Internet-era generation of Arabs who appear less inclined to accept arguments appealing to religion and tradition to explain why ordinary citizens should be shut out of decision-making.
Saudi Arabia, the largest country in the Gulf, is home to Islam’s holiest sites – and is a long-time US ally that has ensured oil supplies for the West.
More than 32,000 people have backed a Facebook call to hold two demonstrations in the country, the first of them Friday.
Riyadh has tried to counter the call with promises of money and other measures – including a pro-government Facebook page “against the revolution” with 23,000 supporters.
The protest movements hit populous Yemen a month ago, and spread to the Gulf states, where dynasties secured their rule in colonial times.
Bahrainan – an island state, whose rulers look to Riyadh for support – has been the most vulnerable so far.
This week, hardline Shi’ite groups formed an alliance to ditch the monarchy and turn Bahrain into a republic.
Majority Shi’ites who resent domination by the al-Khalifa dynasty have staged pro-democracy protests. Analysts say Saudi pressure has been heavy on Manama to stamp them out.
Yemen is also set for an escalation after opposition groups – who have held pro-democracy marches for the past month – rejected veteran ruler Ali Abdullah Saleh’s offer of reforms Thursday.
A small number of Kuwaitis’ held protests this week, while activists and intellectuals in the United Arab Emirates petitioned the rulers for democratic elections
Jerusalem Post
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Gulf leaders are struggling to hold back an Internet-era generation of Arabs who appear less inclined to accept arguments appealing to religion and tradition to explain why ordinary citizens should be shut out of decision-making.
Saudi Arabia, the largest country in the Gulf, is home to Islam’s holiest sites – and is a long-time US ally that has ensured oil supplies for the West.
More than 32,000 people have backed a Facebook call to hold two demonstrations in the country, the first of them Friday.
Riyadh has tried to counter the call with promises of money and other measures – including a pro-government Facebook page “against the revolution” with 23,000 supporters.
The protest movements hit populous Yemen a month ago, and spread to the Gulf states, where dynasties secured their rule in colonial times.
Bahrainan – an island state, whose rulers look to Riyadh for support – has been the most vulnerable so far.
This week, hardline Shi’ite groups formed an alliance to ditch the monarchy and turn Bahrain into a republic.
Majority Shi’ites who resent domination by the al-Khalifa dynasty have staged pro-democracy protests. Analysts say Saudi pressure has been heavy on Manama to stamp them out.
Yemen is also set for an escalation after opposition groups – who have held pro-democracy marches for the past month – rejected veteran ruler Ali Abdullah Saleh’s offer of reforms Thursday.
A small number of Kuwaitis’ held protests this week, while activists and intellectuals in the United Arab Emirates petitioned the rulers for democratic elections
Jerusalem Post
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