I thank the many people in Riyadh who welcomed me into their lives and helped me better understand their city. I particularly thank Sa‘b, Dhaifallah, Bjad, Rakan, and their families. The access and support they granted me, their time, and their generosity make it very difficult to pay them back. I hope they consider this book a down payment.

After I left Riyadh for Yemen, and then Egypt and the United States, Sa‘b, ‘Adil, and Thamer went abroad to pursue their studies. Dhaifallah didn't disappoint the elders: he got married and moved back to the steppe, where he dabbled in the sheep market while working as a civil servant. Bjad and Rakan lead successful careers in Riyadh, as does Fahad. Sheikh ‘Abd al-Ilah hopefully makes a lot of money. Thamer's students are in college, and left Islamic activism behind. So much for the intended consequences of a religious upbringing.