In recent years, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has faced a daunting challenge: becoming a modernized country without rejecting its long-standing culture and heritage. In many ways the state has been a success, having developed a profitable oil economy and considerable global influence. Less than a hundred years ago, Saudi Arabia was not yet unified; today it is a state with complex financial, legal and political systems, with a culture marked by deep history and faith. Since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2011, Saudi Arabia has continued to work on a reform agenda aimed at promoting greater participation of Saudi citizens, a vibrant economy and civil society. However, many problems still weigh on the state. The scourge of human trafficking, in the form of labor, sex and other forms of trafficking, is of particular concern in Saudi Arabia. Some Western critics attribute this to the country's legal system. Saudi Arabia is governed by a Sharia system, a body of Islamic laws and a legal framework within which public and some private aspects of life are regulated for those living in a Sharia-based legal system. on Islam. This legal system has drawn strong criticism from human rights groups regarding criminal penalties, the societal position of women, and the prevalence of labor and sex trafficking within the country. The Saudi government's response to human trafficking has historically been limited, primarily due to cultural, social, and political barriers that have fostered an attitude of indifference toward the issue. Many human rights groups criticize the government's failure to meet minimum standards for eliminating trafficking. Nevertheless, while... middle of paper ...... Abdullah Abdul Elah and Murray Hunter. “Where is Saudi society going? Contemporary Readings in Law and Social Justice 5.2 (2013): 141-57. Internet. May 6, 2014. “Saudi Arabia.” Human Rights Watch. Global Report 2013. January 2013. Web. May 6, 2014. Saudi Arabia. Office of Experts of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the Council of Ministers. Anti-human trafficking law. Np, June 13, 2009. Web. May 7, 2014. “Saudi Arabia: Protecting the Rights of Migrant Workers.” » Human Rights Watch. Np, July 2, 2013. Web. May 6, 2014.Saudi Arabia. Saudi General Investment Authority. Labor law. Np: np, nd September 27, 2005. Web. May 7, 2014. “Trafficking in Persons Report 2013.” US Department of State. 2013. Internet. May 4, 2014.Vlieger, Antoinette. “Domestic workers in Saudi Arabia and the Emirates: victims of trafficking? International Migration 50.6 (2012): 180-94. Print.