Don't Pay Me Lip-service, Saudi King Tells Subjects
Saudi Arabia's newly enthroned King Abdullah has told his citizens they should no longer kiss their monarch's hand because it is degrading and un-Islamic.
Saudi Arabia's newly enthroned King Abdullah has told his citizens they should no longer kiss their monarch's hand because it is degrading and un-Islamic.
"Kissing hands is alien to our values and morals and is not accepted by free and noble souls," he reportedly told the most recent of the thousands of Saudis who have come to his palace offering their loyalty.
The small break with tradition is the first hint of change in this conservative and pious society, where the new king is regarded as a reformer from a royal family better known for its opulence and power.
"Kissing hands is alien to our values and morals and is not accepted by free and noble souls," he reportedly told the most recent of the thousands of Saudis who have come to his palace offering their loyalty.
The small break with tradition is the first hint of change in this conservative and pious society, where the new king is regarded as a reformer from a royal family better known for its opulence and power.

Use the feedback form below to submit your comments.

Use the form below to email this article to your friends.

- Saudi Women Fight Driving Ban
- Huge Saudi Force to Defend Oilfields From Al-qaida
- Infections Spread As Toll From Asian Monsoon Hits 2,000
- Riyadh Gives Talks With Israel Cautious Welcome
- US Accused of Fuelling Arms Race With $20bn Arab Weapons Sale
- Terror Fears As French Men Shot Dead in Saudi Arabia
- Saudi Driving Ban on Women Extends to Golf Carts
- Saudis Pledge to Increase Crude Supply As Price Nears All-time High
- Eurofighter Sale to Saudi Arabia Agreed
- Saudi Women Make Electoral Breakthrough
- Cartoons Herald Return of Cinema to Saudi Arabia
- Beaten Saudi Tv Presenter Flees
- Oil Hits $64 a Barrel and Sends Petrol Prices Soaring
- Westerners Warned Over Saudi Terror Threat
- Saudi Fears Send Oil Prices Soaring
- Saudis Warned Uk of London Attacks
- Princes and Presidents Mark King Fahd's Passing
- A Traditionalist Who Watches 33 Tvs at Once
- Arab Culture: Properly Defining What Is Arabic
- Saudi Arabia: A Mystical Country
- And You Thought Your In-laws Were Bad?



