Why in Spain?

Saudi Arabia and Spain have agreed to hold an interfaith dialogue of Muslims, Christians and Jews in Madrid in July. Now why do you think this is being held in Spain not Saudi Arabia?

Here are some possible problems with holding such a "dialogue" in Saudi Arabia:

1) No symbols of any faith other than Islam are allowed into Saudi Arabia and the public practice of non-Muslim religions is prohibited.

2) Only Muslims are allowed into Mecca & Medina, the street signs are really quite shocking when you see them.

3) The Saudi government does not permit non-Muslim clergy to enter the country for the purpose of conducting religious services.

4) According Saudi policy for tourists, it is not permissible to bring Christian or Jewish religious symbols and books into the kingdom and they are subject to confiscation

5) Until March 1, 2004, the official government website stated that Jews were forbidden from entering the country - the situation now is less clear


Maybe best to hold it in Spain then... I wonder if the Islamic claim on large parts of Spain will be mentioned during the "dialogue"? For once a piece of land has belonged to Islam it can never belong to any other religion or people; this is why although churches have become mosques, a mosque can never become a church.