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Change Comes to Islam’s Birthplace, and the World Watches Warily

  • Crown Prince’s agenda of opening up treads a fine line
  • Saudi Arabia is the center of the world for Muslims globally
Muslim worshippers perform evening prayers at the Kaaba, Mecca.
Muslim worshippers perform evening prayers at the Kaaba, Mecca.Photographer: Bandar Aldandani/AFP via Getty Images

The world’s 1.8 billion Muslims look to one country above all others.

As the birthplace of Islam, Saudi Arabia is a symbol of purity for many who direct their prayers toward Mecca wherever they are in the world.