Article 11 of the Saudi Shura Council Law
المادة 11 من نظام مجلس الشورى
Article 11 requires the Shura Council's president, members and secretary general to take a set oath before the King before they begin their work in the Council.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
يؤدي رئيس مجلس الشورى ، وأعضاء المجلس، والأمين العام، قبل أن يباشروا أعمالهم في المجلس، أمام الملك، القسم التالي:
(أقسم بالله العظيم أن أكون مخلصا لديني، ثم لمليكي، وبلادي، وأن لا أبوح بسر من أسرار الدولة، وأن أحافظ على مصالحها وأنظمتها، وأن أؤدي أعمالي بالصدق والأمانة والإخلاص والعدل).
This is the official Arabic wording, the only legally binding version. We do not translate the law itself; the explanation below is ours. Official source: Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers
Article 11 explained in plain English
This article requires taking an oath before starting work in the Shura Council, and sets out who takes it, when, before whom and in what wording.
- Who takes the oath: the president of the Council, the members of the Council and the secretary general.
- When: before they begin their work in the Council.
- Before whom: before the King.
The content of the oath includes specific commitments:
- Loyalty to the faith, then to the King and the country.
- Not to disclose any of the secrets of the State.
- Safeguarding the interests and laws of the State.
- Performing their work with honesty, trustworthiness, loyalty and justice.
The oath in the wording given in the text is the one adopted; the article leaves no room for another wording.
It is preceded by Article 10, which provides that the president of the Council, the vice president, the assistant and the secretary general are appointed and relieved by royal orders. It is followed by Article 12, which sets the seat of the Council in the city of Riyadh.
Note that the commitment not to disclose State secrets is part of the oath itself, so it is a commitment the member expressly undertakes before starting work.
Translated from our Arabic explanation with machine assistance. For guidance only; it does not replace advice from a lawyer on your situation.
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Frequently asked questions about Article 11 of the Saudi Shura Council Law
Who takes the oath in the Shura Council?
The president of the Council, its members and the secretary general.
When does a Shura member take the oath, and before whom?
Before beginning their work in the Council, before the King.
Does the oath include protecting State secrets?
Yes. The member swears not to disclose any of the secrets of the State.
More articles on Conditions for Shura Council Membership
- Article 4
Article 4 requires a Shura Council member to be a Saudi national by origin and upbringing, of recognized righteousness and competence, and not less than thirty years old.
يشترط في عضو مجلس الشورى ما يلي: أ - أن يكون سعودي الجنسية بالأصل والمنشأ. ب - أن يكون من المشهود لهم بالصلاح والكفاية. ج - ألا يقل عمره عن ثلاثين سنة.
- Article 5
Article 5 lets a Shura Council member submit a request to be relieved of membership to the Council's president, who must present it to the King.
لعضو مجلس الشورى أن يقدم طلب إعفائه من عضوية المجلس إلى رئيس المجلس ، وعلى الرئيس أن يعرض ذلك على الملك.
- Article 7
Article 7 provides that if a Shura Council member's seat becomes vacant for any reason, the King chooses who replaces them and a royal order is issued to that effect.
إذا خلا محل أحد أعضاء مجلس الشورى لأي سبب، يختار الملك من يحل محله ويصدر بذلك أمر ملكي.
The texts are reproduced from the official website of the Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers for reference; where they differ, the officially published Arabic text prevails. This content is not legal advice.