Understanding the Significance of Majlis in Middle Eastern Politics

Majlis (Arabic: مجلس) is a term used in the Middle East and North Africa to refer to a legislative body or council. The word is derived from the Arabic words "majlis" meaning "gathering" or "assembly".

In some countries, Majlis refers to the lower house of a bicameral parliament, while in others it is the highest legislative body. In Iran, for example, the Majlis is the national legislative body and is known as the Islamic Consultative Assembly. In Saudi Arabia, the Majlis is the advisory council to the king.

The term Majlis has been used in various contexts throughout history, including:

1. The Majlis of Iran, which was established in 1906 and is one of the oldest legislative bodies in the Middle East.
2. The Majlis of Saudi Arabia, which was established in 1953 and advises the king on matters of state.
3. The Majlis of Kuwait, which was established in 1938 and is the national legislative body of Kuwait.
4. The Majlis of Bahrain, which was established in 1970 and is the national legislative body of Bahrain.
5. The Majlis of Oman, which was established in 1974 and is the national legislative body of Oman.
6. The Majlis of Qatar, which was established in 1972 and is the national legislative body of Qatar.
7. The Majlis of the United Arab Emirates, which was established in 1972 and is the national legislative body of the UAE.

In addition to its use as a legislative body, the term Majlis has also been used to refer to other types of councils or assemblies, such as the Majlis al-Shura (Consultative Council) in Egypt and the Majlis al-Watani (National Assembly) in Libya.