Religious conservatism preserved

Despite this wealth and the modernization it funded, Saudi Arabia maintained strict religious practices:

• Sharia (Islamic law) was the legal foundation of the state
• Public religion was Sunni Islam in its Wahhabi interpretation
• Other religions could not be practiced publicly
• Women were heavily restricted: required to wear black abayas in public, prohibited from driving until 2018, required to have male guardians for many activities
• Alcohol and many forms of entertainment were banned
• Religious police (mutawa) enforced moral and religious conduct in public
• The two holiest cities of Islam (Mecca and Medina) were under Saudi protection, reinforcing the kingdom's religious legitimacy