In June 2017, Mohammed bin Salman (MbS) was appointed as Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince and heir apparent to the throne by his father, King Salman. Since then, he has proven on multiple occasions that he is serious about reforming the kingdom.
Under his leadership, not only has MbS brought back cinemas to the country, he was also instrumental in lifting the long-standing driving ban on women as well as permitting female members of society to enter and watch sporting events at stadiums.
In a country where around 58.5 percent of the population is under the age of 30, MbS - who himself is only 32 years old - represents the hopes and aspirations of an entire generation. Here is a list of times the young and ambitious Crown Prince empowered Saudi society:
1. On corruption
"We grew apprehensive of corruption cases; anyone who is guilty will be punished. Anyone involved in corruption will not be spared. No one is above the law whether it is a prince or a minister," the Crown Prince told Al Arabiya in May 2017.
2. On religion
"We want to go back to what we were; moderate Islam. Saudi Arabia was not like this before 1979. We want to go back to what we were, the moderate Islam that's open to all religions. We want to live a normal life. We want to coexist with and contribute to the world," MbS told CBS News in March 2018.
3. On women's rights
"In King Salman's time, women were able to vote for the first time and 20 women won in these elections. Women can now work in any sector. In business and commerce, as a lawyer, in the political field, and in all sectors. Women can carry out any jobs they want. What is left is that we support women for the future and I don't think there are obstacles we can't overcome," he said, according to Emirates Woman.
4. On male guardianship
"Before 1979, there were societal guardianship customs but no guardianship laws in Saudi Arabia, it doesn't go back to the time of the Prophet Muhammad. In the 1960's women didn't travel with male guardians. But it happens now, and we want to move on it and figure out a way to treat this in a manner that doesn't harm families and doesn't harm the culture," the Saudi royal told The Atlantic in April 2018.
5. On female dress codes in Saudi society
"The laws are very clear and stipulated in the laws of Sharia: that women wear decent, respectful clothing, like men. This, however, does not particularly specify a black abaya or a black head cover. The decision is entirely left for women to decide what type of decent and respectful attire she chooses to wear," Mohammed bin Salman told CBS News in March 2018.
6. On the future of the Kingdom
"We try to work only with the dreamers. This place is not for conventional people or companies," the Saudi Crown Prince told investors in October 2017 while announcing NEOM - the new megacity that will be four times the size of Dubai, Beirut, Cairo, and Amman combined.