It is difficult to explain this behaviour, especially as the Saudis are clearly not oblivious to the importance of historical monuments and heritage. Last year, the Saudi General Commission for Tourism and Antiquities announced plans to restore 200 historical sites around the country, include the pre-Islamic site of Madian Saleh and numerous palaces and other buildings in Dir‘iyyah associated with the Saudi family. The suggestion that these have greater value than Islamic sites is deeply offensive to Muslims everywhere.