The speech comes following calls, and small protests, for reforms in the Kingdom, where clergymen earlier urged Saudis not to ride the protest wave engulfing the region as such protests in Saudi Arabia were against religion. 
Hotuba hiyo ilikuja baada ya miito, maandamano madogo kudai mageuzi katika falme hiyo, ambapo viongozi wa dini hapo wali waliwaasa WaSaudia kutodandia wimbi la maandamano ya upinzani linaloikumba kanda hiyo kwani maandamanio ya namna hiyo ndani ya Saudi Arabia ni kinyume na dini.