According to Islamic principles, “shoura” means consultations and exchanges of views among informed individuals with the aim of making the most correct decision. It underlies the administrative system and fixes the basic pillars of constitutional and political regulations. It also helps the state to regulate everything related to political and economic matters as well as social and family life.
According to Caliph Ali, shoura means reaching the right decision by following the traditions and achieving a harmony of hearts by avoiding mistakes, thus giving no occasion for remorse. Some of the ancient wise men said that nothing produces a correct and right view as the shoura (consultation) does. Thus it becomes evident that shoura in Islam is the people’s mechanism for ensuring their rights and also fulfilling their obligations.
There is of course nothing wrong with people criticizing, either privately or publicly, the performance of the Shoura Council. Criticism is often made because of an insufficient openness on the part of the body with regard to its objectives and functioning style.
Another reason is the absence of dialogues with universities, schools and literary and scientific clubs in order to familiarize them with the council’s duties and the way it works. People should also be aware that the Shoura Council works, when required, in collaboration with other bodies such as the Council of Ministers and both the provincial and municipal councils.
The Shoura Council is a body concerned with the indirect participation of all sections of the population — young and old, male and female — in the administration, planning and follow-up of development projects and also distributing those projects equally in all of the country’s provinces.
The council also monitors the implementation of projects in keeping with budget specifications by government establishments and demands explanations for any failure to adhere to the specifications. The council also examines urgent domestic and external issues and, before bringing them to the attention of the ruler, they discuss all aspects with the responsible officials, without fear or favor and with a total commitment to the nation and all its people without discrimination.
The late King Fahd summed up the duties of the body in his historic opening address in 1422. “I request you to, by your words and deeds, keep the progress of your country as your sole goal, above all other concerns. This responsibility is immense and the trust both invaluable and burdensome.”
The people expect that the chairman and the members will meet directly with all sections of society in every region in order to learn first hand of the social and health conditions and the extent of development which has been achieved. This is undoubtedly the ideal way to understand the performance level of various government departments.
It is also the way for the Shoura members to listen to people’s demands and bring those which are worthy to the attention of officials. The council is, in fact, the right hand of the ruler who aims at achieving balanced growth in every part of the Kingdom.
