Arabia 3D Page #4

revolutionary university of science,

with the sixth largest

endowment in the world.

When I left for the U.S. seven

years ago, this was unthinkable.

I photographed the king

at the dedication ceremony

where he introduced the faculty,

the best and the brightest

from all around the world.

This university will be a think

tank of creativity and innovation.

It will emulate the spirit of the

Islamic Golden Age of science.

Drawing students from all over the

Middle East and around the world,

men and women will study and

carry out research side by side.

It's a huge leap forward.

Education is a source

of hope for many Saudi women,

like the celebrated poet,

Nimah Nawwab.

Poetry here harkens back to

our deep-rooted oral traditions.

Because Bedouins moved from

grazing area to grazing area,

they couldn't carry

books with them.

So our stories and history were memorized

and often told through poetry.

Nimah loves horses.

They inspire her to write.

The Arabian horse is one of

the oldest breeds on Earth.

With their small noses and arching

tails, they're magnificent creatures.

Women here are

balancing the old and the new.

Over the years, tribal ways of

life impose restrictions on women.

As Nimah can tell you, 60 years ago,

women rarely attended school here.

But today, more women

than men earn college degrees.

We've seen quite

a lot of progress.

The king, for example,

has recently promoted women

to higher levels

of his government.

But for some,

the changes are too slow.

We follow a strict code of

conduct, especially in public,

when we're expected to convey our

modesty by wearing an outer cloak,

known as the Abaya.

But we have more serious

and vital issues to address.

Until recently,

women were not able

to travel or study without

gaining male consent.

While we have a long way to go as

women, what gives us hope is our faith.

Muslims don't worship idols

or objects. We only worship God.

We pray directly to him and it's

not through a priest or anyone.

Near Makkah, this huge

tent city offers hospitality

to pilgrims from 160 nations.

For three days, three million

pilgrims converge on Makkah

to reaffirm their faith,

during the holy rite

known as the Hajjj.

It's a lifelong dream

for many Muslims.

Here, religion

is a family affair.

The Quran states that one time in our lives,

we should all try to perform the Hajjj.

It is by far the largest annual

gathering of people in the world.

Makkah is the heart of lslam.

Over a billion people

all across the world

turn to face this spot five

times a day when they pray.

The Hajjj opened me up to all my

fellow Muslims and worshipers.

It just made me more accepting

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