Saudi Arabia is attempting to distance itself from a video that cited feminism as a form of extremism, despite recent pushes to present a modernised version of the conservative state.

The video published by the powerful Presidency of State Security on Twitter listed feminism, homosexuality and atheism among the three dozen concepts the Kingdom claimed are "unacceptable" and said “excess of anything at the expense of the homeland is considered extremism.”

The Presidency of State Security is a body that combines counterterrorism and domestic intelligence services, and reports directly to King Salman, the kingdom's official ruler.

Following the video, Al Watan, the government-aligned newspaper, reminded citizens that such “extremist behaviour” is punishable by imprisonment and flogging.

By Tuesday, the government, which has implemented sweeping social changes and is attempting to attract foreign visitors, started to distance itself from the contents of the video.