Where Islam Began
Somewhere within current economic diversification plans of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is the matter of tourism. However, for most travelers, the apt symbol for Saudi Arabia is still the veil. The country's traditions, influenced by a strict interpretation of Islam, mandate that a woman's features be hidden from public view, and a similar concealment seems to apply to the country as a whole. It has remained largely unseen and mysterious, obscured by centuries of isolation, an austere religious tradition.
Over the past few years, the veil has been lifted just a bit. The government now issues tourist visas to a few organized tour
