Islam, Law and Human Rights

Abstract

In the worlds of commerce and official relations Saudi Arabia is typically portrayed as responsible, virtuous and stable. Thus the former British prime minister John Major could depict the Kingdom as `a vital force for stability'; Sir Patrick Cormack, Conservative Member of Parliament and President, International Affairs, of First Magazine, can applaud Saudi Arabia's `enlightened leadership';1 Sir Alan Munro, former British ambassador to Saudi Arabia, can celebrate the `warmth' of British-Saudi relations;2 and Prince Charles can offer such blandishments to the House of Saud that a welcoming speech to the British feudalist can represent the United Kingdom as `a brother country'.3