Article 3 of the Saudi Shura Council Law
المادة 3 من نظام مجلس الشورى
Article 3 provides that the Shura Council consists of a president and 150 members chosen by the King, with women's representation of no less than 20% of the members.
Official text after amendments (Arabic)
Compiled from the original text and every officially published amendment; the amendments are shown in full below for comparison.
يتكون مجلس الشورى من رئيس ومائة وخمسين عضواً، يختارهم الملك، من أهل العلم والخبرة والاختصاص، على ألا يقل تمثيل المرأة فيه عن (20%) من عدد الأعضاء، وتحدد حقوق الأعضاء، وواجباتهم، وجميع شؤونهم بأمر ملكي.
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 3 explained in plain English
This article sets out the composition of the Shura Council and how its members are chosen.
- Number: a president and 150 members.
- Who chooses: the King chooses the members, so membership is by selection, not election.
- Criterion for selection: that they be from people of knowledge, experience and specialization.
- Women's representation: no less than 20% of the number of members, that is, no fewer than 30 women out of 150.
The article leaves the determination of the members' rights, duties and all their affairs to a royal order, so it does not give details of remuneration or benefits; these are learned from the royal order issued for that.
The article was amended by Royal Order No. (A/26) dated 2/3/1426 AH in its opening so that the composition is a president and one hundred and fifty members, then amended by Royal Order No. (A/44) dated 29/2/1434 AH to take its current wording, which includes the percentage of women's representation.
Article 4 completes it by setting the conditions of membership: that the member be a Saudi national by origin and upbringing, of recognized righteousness and competence, and not less than thirty years old. Article 2 before it sets out the principles on which the Council rests.
Practical example
Sara, a university student in Riyadh, is following the formation of a new term of the Shura Council and wonders how many women are in it. Under this article, women's representation is no less than 20% of 150 members, that is, at least 30 women, and the number may be higher because the text sets a minimum.
Translated from our Arabic explanation with machine assistance. For guidance only; it does not replace advice from a lawyer on your situation.
How we write and review contentAsk a specialist lawyer about your case
Describe your situation briefly and we'll suggest a lawyer who specialises in this law
Frequently asked questions about Article 3 of the Saudi Shura Council Law
How many members does the Shura Council have?
The Council consists of a president and one hundred and fifty members.
What is the percentage of women's representation in the Shura Council?
Women's representation is no less than 20% of the number of members, a minimum that may be exceeded.
Are Shura Council members elected?
No. The King chooses them from people of knowledge, experience and specialization.
Where are the rights and duties of Shura members set?
Their rights, duties and all their affairs are set by royal order.
Amendment history
Royal Decree No. A/26 — 2/3/1426 AH
Official amendment text (Arabic)
- عُدل صدر هذه المادة وذلك بموجب الأمر الملكي رقم (أ/26) وتاريخ 1426/3/2هـ، لتكون بالنص الآتي: (يتكون مجلس الشورى من رئيس ومائة وخمسين عضواً.... إلى آخر المادة).
Royal Decree No. A/44 — 29/2/1434 AH
Official amendment text (Arabic)
- عُدلت هذه المادة وذلك بموجب الأمر الملكي رقم (أ/44) وتاريخ 1434/2/29هـ، لتصبح بالنص الآتي:
"المادة الثالثة: يتكون مجلس الشورى من رئيس ومائة وخمسين عضواً، يختارهم الملك، من أهل العلم والخبرة والاختصاص، على ألا يقل تمثيل المرأة فيه عن (20%) من عدد الأعضاء، وتحدد حقوق الأعضاء، وواجباتهم، وجميع شؤونهم بأمر ملكي".
Original text before the amendments (Arabic)
يتكون مجلس الشورى من رئيس وستين عضواً، يختارهم الملك، من أهل العلم والخبرة والاختصاص، وتحدد حقوق الأعضاء، وواجباتهم، وكافة شؤونهم بأمر ملكي.
More articles on Formation and Term of the Shura Council
- Article 1
Article 1 establishes the Shura Council on the principle of consultation in the Quran and Sunnah, to exercise its tasks under this Law and the Basic Law of Governance.
عملا بقول الله تعالى: [فَبِمَا رَحْمَةٍ مِنَ اللَّهِ لِنْتَ لَهُمْ وَلَوْ كُنْتَ فَظًّا غَلِيظَ الْقَلْبِ لَانْفَضُّوا مِنْ حَوْلِكَ فَاعْفُ عَنْهُمْ وَاسْتَغْف
- Article 2
Article 2 sets the principles on which the Shura Council rests: holding fast to the rope of God, adherence to the sources of Islamic legislation, and members' concern for the public good.
يقوم مجلس الشورى على الاعتصام بحبل الله، والالتزام بمصادر التشريع الإسلامي، ويحرص أعضاء المجلس على خدمة الصالح العام، والحفاظ على وحدة الجماعة وكيان الدولة، ومص
- Article 12
Article 12 sets the seat of the Shura Council in the city of Riyadh, and allows it to meet elsewhere within the Kingdom if the King sees fit.
مقر مجلس الشورى ، هو مدينة الرياض. ويجوز اجتماع المجلس في جهة أخرى داخل المملكة، إذا رأى الملك ذلك.
- Article 13
Article 13 sets the Shura Council's term at four Hijri years, requires the new Council to be formed at least two months before the old one ends, and renewal of at least half the members.
مدة مجلس الشورى ، أربع سنوات هجرية، تبدأ من التاريخ المحدد في الأمر الملكي الصادر بتكوينه. ويتم تكوين المجلس الجديد قبل انتهاء مدة سلفه بشهرين على الأقل. وفي حا
- Article 14
Article 14 provides that the King, or the person he delegates, delivers a royal speech in the Shura Council each year covering the State's domestic and foreign policy.
يلقي الملك أو من ينيبه، في مجلس الشورى ، كل سنة خطابا ملكيا، يتضمن سياسة الدولة الداخلية والخارجية.
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.