She shared her deep understanding of women's life in Saudi Arabia, based on 25 years living in the Middle East.

Saudi Arabia, the only country named after its ruling family, who had effectively created the state in the 1930s, did not really welcome outsiders, although the port of Jeddah was relatively cosmopolitan, as well as being the port of arrival for pilgrims to Mecca.

To the north is the stronghold of the Wahabi, a puritanical 18th century sect, offering a purist and conservative version of Sunni Islam, which has often been linked to Osama bin Laden.

The Saudi version of Islam takes an unenlightened view of women, who are legally the possessions of men, are prohibited from holding public office and are limited to running the home.

Women may not drive, or travel unaccompanied by a male relative, and must be fully veiled, despite the great heat.

Men are technically allowed four wives and numerous concubines and can divorce their wives by simply saying 'I divorce thee' three times. Women are worth only half as much as a man.

Saudi Arabia is a fabulously wealthy country, where all non Muslim religions are banned. It is a land where alcohol is strictly prohibited, where there are no clubs or cinemas and where there is no free press, no free speech.

For the pious this is a holy land, but for the more worldly, life is comfortable but intensely boring. Saudi Arabia has a modern infrastructure, a conservative regime, but faces growing pressures from marginalised, but increasingly educated, women and a growing young population.797 224418