The Secretary General of the Muslim World League, member of the Council of Senior Scholars, Sheikh Dr. Mohammad bin Abdulkarim Alissa, dispelled the concerns raised by some about the existence of some kind of pressure on foreigners in regard to the Islamic culture known to the country of the Two Holy Mosques. Visitors are expected to come to visit various regions of the Kingdom at the start of the tourism visa, announced by the General Authority for Tourism and National Heritage which will start on September 27th.

In a response to a relevant question during the Government Leaders Forum, organized by the Riyadh Tourism Authority that discussed the future of tourism in the Kingdom, he added, “the Muslim culture in our country is built on sturdy and firm foundations. Any culture endowed with this level of strength and power is bound to affect others and not the other way around. It is from here, the message of Islam was launched and will remain proud and strong. Our culture will influence the Kingdom's guests, tourists, and others because it includes many inspiring sentiments, the most prominent of which is the fine treatment of others, even if we disagree with them in beliefs and in social customs. Our culture welcomes the other since it carries the famous feature of generosity and is very friendly to the guests and visitors, regardless of their gender, color, or religion. In our religion the meanings of difference prevail, to be replaced by appreciation and respect for all human beings. We interact with non-Muslims in the spirit of humanity and good manners, which are the foundations of our true Islamic religion.

Alissa broached the concept of tourism in Islam, stressing that it is included under the ruling of the permissible law. Thus, according to what we came to know and approve of at the present time; tourism has economic benefits that will serve the country, and achieve various developmental objectives at various levels. Therefore, it is a necessity and carries many benefits, such as employment opportunities that will be made available to the youth of this country. So, if we look at it from this point of view, tourism moves from being permissible to that of obligatory where the interest of the individual and society will materialize.

Regarding requesting non-Muslim women visiting the Kingdom to wear the full veil that a Muslim woman usually wears, the Secretary General of the Muslim World League said: there is nothing in Islamic law (Sharia) that requires a non-Muslim woman to wear the same attire and meet the obligation that of a Muslim woman is required to do in various affairs of life. There is plenty of flexibility in this matter that must be clear to everyone. The issue here is to deal with accepting others and accepting their coexistence culture with what is prevalent among moderate societies. Additionally, there is a list detailing public dress code approved in the Kingdom by the highest authorities at the start of the tourism visa. It deals with clarifying the confusion that may occur with some in this regard. The dress code applies to everyone, not just the citizen, including the visitors of this country, tourists and others. Everyone is required to dress modestly taking into account public taste, that does not violate the modesty of normal and moderate nature.