It is time to applaud the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on taking its first steps toward the 21st century. Since the middle of October, they hosted both an economic forum - where women were allowed to attend, and their first human rights conference.

But don't get too excited yet. Freedom in general and freedom of speech and religion in particular are not standards of society in Saudi Arabia. In fact, there are no protections for any minority religious group in that country.

According to the U.S. State Department's Web site: "Islam is the official religion, and the law requires that all citizens be Muslims."

For complete article visit the following URL:
http://southend.wayne.edu/days/2004/january/1292004/Commentary/21st/21st.html