Interesting. I don’t know that much about Qatar, but it makes sense that they’re trying to separate themselves from Saudi. There are all sorts of reasons why that would be a sound move politically, especially as Saudi are starting to attract more and more negative attention from the West now that the US produces so much of their own oil and the West takes so little from them. They don’t need them so much anymore so they’re not getting cover for their regressive policies regarding women, atheists, LGBT people etc. Qatar isn’t great either or course, but they’re better than Saudi so they’ll be looking for another powerful friend and the MB is very strong.

I gather though Faisal Saeed Al Mutar and various news sources that I can’t place right at the moment but Ive definitely read in last 2 years that Qatar emphatically supports the Muslim Brotherhood. It appears moderate at home but supported the Brotherhood (unsuccessfully) in Tunisian elections and in Egypt and elsewhere and supports the al Qaeda allied Al Nusra front in Syria. Its seeking its own Muslim foreign influence distinct from Saudi and according to Faisal the influence of the Muslim brotherhood are as much of a worry in the US as the Saudis. of course the Swiss now i think French residing Tariq Ramadan (so influential on Rowan Williams) is a nephew of one of the founders of the Brotherhood and they are very influential in Europe too

It’s good it’s being said, though I think it’s significant the professor is from Qatar – I often see more progressive views from the university there.

There used to be a clash between the royal family and the the religious leaders there – the king, though very conservative by our standards was trying to get progressive policies introduced, especially relating to women, and they were consistently blocked by the sharia judges. The new king seems much more open to economic progress/diversification but he’s a vicious bastard – executions have rocketed. I don’t think he’s that well though, and apparently the next in line is a bit more progressive (again, by Saudi standards), so perhaps this is a look to the future?

Yes, that’s my understanding too. Saudi tv is very controlled and it’s odd that they would allow the promotion of any sort of reformist talk.

My understanding: The Saudis appear to be Wahhabis but are likely not. They are simply pragmatists when it comes to government and are interested in preserving their privileged position. The Saudi family made a pact with the Wahhabi imams long ago to lock in the status quo. The deal was, the Wahhabis would not oppose the Saudi leadership as long as the Saudis gave the Wahhabis free reign over the social life of the country. Both sides have been happy with the arrangement and have kept their promises. The arrangement does cause some strain however. Wahhabism generates jihadists who engage in terrorism within the country(as well as exporting it). The Saudis have to keep an eye on the threat of destabilization from the extremists.