In the heart of the Middle East lies a country known to many Westerners for its oil production and, often, for the extremist beliefs of groups within the country. The country is Saudi Arabia, and although many consider it to be a rather backward country, Saudi Arabia has a rich history and culture, and it is a country that revolves around Islam and worship of Allah as the only true God. For around fifteen hundred years, the history of Saudi Arabia has been centered on a major theme: Islam. Muhammad, the founder of Islam, was born around 570 AD in Mecca. At the beginning of the 7th century AD, 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 a prophet and proclaim God's message to his people. He began his ministry in his hometown of Mecca. At that time, most people on the Arabian Peninsula worshiped many gods, and because Muhammad's messages taught that there was only one God, he made many adversaries in Mecca. As a result, he settled in the city of Medina in 622 and was more successful in converting people here than in Mecca. This journey is known to Muslims as hijrah and marks the first year of the Islamic calendar. Muhammad returned to Mecca in 630 AD, with an army, and conquered the city. By the time of Muhammad's death in 632, much of the Arabian Peninsula was under Islamic rule. After the death of Muhammad, Muslims were guided by the cali....