Saudi Arabia arrests religious leader sheik al-ghannam over criticism of crown prince
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia/London-UK, November 26, 2025
CRACKDOWN CONTINUES: Prominent Religious Figure Detained in Riyadh as MBS’s Purge Targets Critics of Vision 2030’s Rapid Social Liberalisation
In a stark reaffirmation of the lack of tolerance for internal dissent, Saudi Arabia Arrests Religious Leader Sheik Al-Ghannam Over Criticism of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS), adding another prominent voice to the growing list of scholars and activists detained in the Kingdom’s ongoing purge.
The arrest of Sheik Al-Ghannam, a figure known to hold significant influence within conservative circles, is widely viewed as a direct message from MBS that there are firm, unforgiving limits to the freedom afforded by his Vision 2030 social reforms.
Any critique—even from within the traditional religious establishment—that questions the pace, cost, or direction of the Crown Prince’s centralizing authority will be met with immediate and decisive force.
Reports from human rights organizations monitoring the Kingdom indicate that Sheik Al-Ghannam was detained by state security forces in Riyadh late last week. While the Saudi authorities have, as is custom, made no official statement regarding the arrest or the charges, sources suggest the detention followed a series of private and public comments made by the Sheikh that were critical of the Crown Prince’s ambitious, yet controversial, modernization drive.
Specifically, Al-Ghannam is understood to have taken issue with the extravagant spending associated with the General Entertainment Authority (GEA)—an organization closely managed by a key MBS advisor—as well as the rapid erosion of traditional gender segregation and the introduction of Western-style concerts and public events.
Such criticisms touch a nerve, linking MBS’s “liberalization” to a perceived abandonment of the Kingdom’s decades-old commitment to conservative religious doctrines.
This latest detention fits a long-established, systematic pattern of silencing critics since Mohammed bin Salman ascended to Crown Prince in 2017.
The purge has encompassed far more than just religious figures, including rivals within the Royal Family, prominent businessmen detained at the Ritz-Carlton, women’s rights activists, and intellectuals.
Yet, the targeting of influential religious scholars is particularly significant, as the traditional ruling family (Al Saud) historically relied on the religious establishment (Wahhabi doctrine) for political legitimacy.
By arresting figures like Al-Ghannam, MBS is actively dismantling the dual authority structure that has governed Saudi Arabia for two centuries, consolidating all power—political, economic, and religious—directly under his command.
The arrests signal that the social reforms of Vision 2030 are not a pathway to pluralism but a tool of political control. Scholars like Sheik Salman al-Ouda and Sheik Saleh al-Talib—figures who once held prominent positions—remain in detention, sometimes facing the death penalty, simply for their peaceful expression of dissent, such as criticising the Gulf state blockade on Qatar or challenging mixed public gatherings.
By targeting critics who base their opposition on religious grounds, MBS is attempting to sever the deep connection between conservative Islamic principles and political authority, ensuring that the only acceptable narrative is one of unconditional loyalty to the Crown Prince’s sweeping changes.
The international community, including observers from London-UK, continues to track these detentions closely.
While Western governments welcome the social shifts—such as permitting women to drive and opening the country to tourism—they face growing pressure from human rights organizations to condemn the ruthless consolidation of power that underpins these changes.
The lack of transparency in the legal process surrounding these arrests is a key concern; detainees like Sheik Al-Ghannam are denied access to lawyers and subjected to lengthy periods of arbitrary detention and often solitary confinement, in blatant disregard for international standards of due process.
The arrest of Sheik Al-Ghannam ultimately underscores the high-stakes environment in Riyadh.
It reinforces the reality that under the guise of modernization, MBS is executing a comprehensive strategy to crush any viable political or religious opposition before he fully transitions to the throne. The message is unambiguous:
there is a place for religion in the new Saudi Arabia, but only if it serves the singular vision of the Crown Prince.
Headline Points
Arrest Confirmed:
Prominent religious figure Sheik Al-Ghannam was reportedly detained in Riyadh by Saudi security forces for criticizing policies associated with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS).
Criticism Focus:
Al-Ghannam’s dissent reportedly centred on the extravagant spending and the rapid social liberalisation policies of MBS’s Vision 2030, particularly those promoted by the General Entertainment Authority (GEA).
Consolidation of Power:
The arrest is part of MBS’s ongoing, systematic purge of critics—including tribal elders, princes, and scholars—aimed at dismantling the traditional religious authority structure that challenges his absolute control.
Pattern of Repression:
The detention follows the highly publicized arrests of other influential scholars (e.g., Al-Ouda, Al-Talib) who were targeted for expressing mild dissent against the Kingdom’s changing political and social landscape.
International Concern:
The lack of due process, legal transparency, and the use of arbitrary detention against figures like Al-Ghannam continue to draw sharp condemnation from international human rights monitors.
