The Saudi Enigma
Although it is still impossible to build a Christian church in Saudi Arabia, King Abdullah has intensified interreligious dialogue with Pope Benedict XVI. The debate addressing women’s right to drive has recommenced, however, the “religious police”, the Mutawwa, continues to rule. Conflicting news from a mysterious kingdom safeguarding Islam’s holy places, but one that is certainly not considered a model by the Muslim world. Riyadh is still a key ally for the USA, not only for its oil but above all due to the anti-Iranian role it plays in this region, and this is one of the reasons for which, while the world fights for Tibet, for some time now silence has fallen as far as human rights in Saudi Arabia are concerned.