
Since 9/11 critical attention has focused on Saudi Arabia’s Wahhabi identity to the exclusion of non-Islamist currents such as the Liberal Trend that emerged in the milieu of greater openness promoted by Crown Prince ‘Abdallah. This article traces the origins and evolution of Saudi Liberalism, its ideological anchors in Islamic and Western political thought, and its reformist program as outlined in the Strategic Vision Statement presented to ‘Abdallah in January 2003. The Liberal constituency is profiled, along with the views of the royal family, Islamists, women, and impact of the recent bombings on the reformist cause.