Consultative Assembly of Saudi Arabia

Saudi Consultative Assembly

مجلس الشورى السعودي

Majlis ash-Shūra as-Saʿūdiyy
Type
Type
Established1924 (1924)de facto
1926 (1926)de jure
1992 (1992)current form
Leadership
Chairman
Abdullah ibn Muhammad
since 15 February 2009
Structure
Seats150
Political groups
  •   Nonpartisan (150)
Length of term
4 years
Elections
None
(all members appointed)
Meeting place
Palace of Yamamah, Riyadh
Website
Official English Site

The Consultative Assembly of Saudi Arabia (Arabic: مجلس الشورى السعودي, romanizedMajlis aš-Šūrā s-Saʿūdiyy), also known as Majlis ash-Shura or The Shura Council, is the formal advisory body of Saudi Arabia. Originally founded in 1924 as the National Council (Arabic: المجلس الوطني) during the Sultanate of Nejd, it was later renamed as the Consultative Assembly in 1992 following the enactment of the Basic Law of Governance, marking its establishment in its modern form as an advisory body.

It is a deliberative assembly that advises the King on issues regarding the state. It has the power to propose laws to the King of Saudi Arabia and his cabinet, whom would then approve and pass it. It has 150 members, all appointed by the king and chosen "from amongst scholars, those of knowledge, expertise and specialists". Since 2013, the Assembly has included 30 female members out of the total of 150 members, after a 20% minimum quota for women was imposed.