Saudi Arabia

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In the heart of the Middle East is a country known by many Westerners for its oil production and, often, extremist beliefs of groups within the country. The country is Saudi Arabia, and though it is thought of by many as a rather backward country, Saudi Arabia has a rich history and culture, and it is a country that revolves around Islam and the worship of Allah as the one true God.
For about fifteen hundred years, Saudi Arabia’s history has centered on one major theme: Islam. Muhammad, the founder of Islam, was born around 570 A.D. in the city of Mecca. Early in the 7th century A.D., according to Islamic belief, Muhammad, while meditating in a cave on Mount Hira, was visited by the angel Gabriel. Gabriel called Muhammad to serve as prophet and proclaim the message of God to his people. He began his ministry in his home city of Mecca. At this time, most of the inhabitants of the Arabian Peninsula worshipped many gods, and since Muhammad’s messages taught that there is only one God, he gained many adversaries in Mecca. As a result, he moved to the city of Medina in 622 and had more success converting people here than he did at Mecca. This journey is known to Muslims as the hijrah, and it marks the first year of the Islamic calendar. Muhammad returned to Mecca in 630 A.D., with an army, and conquered the city. By the time Muhammad died in 632, much of the Arabian Peninsula was under Islamic rule.
After Muhammad’s death, Muslims were guided by cali...

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