but the history of the arabian peninsula contains more history, which led to the development of the saudi state. inhabitants and cultures can be traced back 63,000 years ago. the most significant event that happened in the peninsula is the rise of the islamic religion presented by prophet muhammad. the rashidun caliphate, umayyad caliphate, abbasid caliphate and fatimid caliphate all occupied the arabian peninsula and thus helped it develop to how we know it today. more dynasties were there in history, but the islamic holy cities of mecca and medina were under the protection of the hashemite sharifs of mecca from the 10th century onwards.