In Religion and National Identity in Saudi Arabia (Middle Eastern Studies, 34(3), (July 1998)), Joseph Nevo argues that religious nationalism has proved to be a double-edged sword. Although Wahabi clerics have become civil servants and have delivered fatwas as directed, religious rhetoric has opened the regime to fierce criticism from religious clerics that are not state's payroll.
Nevo contends that the Saudi rulers are now looking to develop other sources of identity and legitimacy besides Islam. However, there is not much information on what are these sources and how it is being done. Moreover, Nevo has not touched on how Saudi rulers have used their promotion of Islamic/Wahabi causes outside the kingdom to gain legitimacy inside the kingdom.
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