 In contrast to the rest of Saudi Arabia, and particularly Najd, Makkah has, according to "The New York Times", become "a striking oasis of free thought and discussion and, also, of unlikely liberalism as Meccans see themselves as a bulwark against the creeping extremism that has overtaken much Islamic debate".In pre-modern Mecca, the most common sports were impromptu wrestling and foot races.Football is now the most popular sport in Makkah and the kingdom, and the city hosts some of the oldest sport clubs in Saudi Arabia such as Al Wahda FC (established in 1945).