The Consultative Assembly of Saudi Arabia also known as Majlis as-Shura or Shura Council is the formal advisory body of Saudi Arabia, which is an absolute monarchy. Although it has no legislative powers, it has limited functions in government, but no power to pass or enforce laws. It has 150 members that are appointed by the King, six of them are women, and as of March 2011 is headed by Abdullah ibn Mohammed Al-Shaikh.
The Consultative Assembly is permitted to propose draft laws and forward them to the King, but only the King has the power to pass or enforce them. The Assembly does, however, have the power to interpret laws, as well as examine annual reports referred to it by state ministries and agencies. It can also advise the King on policies he submits to it, along with international treaties and economic plans. The Assembly is also authorized to review the country’s annual budget, and call in ministers for questioning.
Source: Wikipedia.com
In 1/8/2005, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdul-Aziz come into power. Since he was the Crown Prince, King Abdullah has been giving the council his utmost attention by supporting its march and strengthening its goals since. As a Crown Price, He delivered a number of royal speeches on behalf of the King to start the agenda of some years in the third and the fourth terms. He also showed his support of the council through amending some articles of the council’s law to cope with the growing positive changes in the Kingdom in order to achieve welfare for the country and the citizens.
The elite group of members from which this modern council is formed has proven its worthiness in the past four terms through great achievements and important decisions that have been made in a short period of time. In its new form, the council has held 1141 sessions and issued 1361 leading to the first year of its fifth term.
Source: Shura.gov
