N.O.R.F Posted March 13, 2007 Changing essence of Makkah 3/10/2007 - Social - Article Ref: NT0703-3251 Number of comments: 30 Opinion Summary: Agree:9 Disagree:15 Neutral:6 By: Hassan M. Fattah New York Times* - MECCA, Saudi Arabia - Five times a day across the globe devout Muslims face this city in prayer, focused on a site where they believe Abraham built a temple to God. The spot is also the place Muslims are expected to visit at least once in their lives. Now as they make the pilgrimage clothed in simple white cotton wraps, they will see something other than the stark black cube known as the Kaaba, which is literally the center of the Muslim world. They will also see Starbucks. And Cartier and Tiffany. And H&M and Topshop. The Abraj al Bait Mall - one of the largest in Saudi Arabia, outfitted with flat-panel monitors with advertisements and announcements, neon lights, an amusement park ride, fast-food restaurants and a lingerie shop - has been built directly across from Islam's holiest site. Not everyone considers this progress. "Mecca is becoming like Las Vegas, and that is a disaster," said Ali al-Ahmed, director of the Institute for Gulf Affairs in Washington, a Saudi opposition research organization. "It will have a disastrous effect on Muslims because going to Mecca will have no feeling. There is no charm anymore. All you see is glass and cement." The mall, which opened a week before the annual pilgrimage, called the hajj, in December, is the first phase in a $13 billion construction boom in Mecca that promises to change how this city, forbidden to everyone but Muslims, looks and feels. The Abraj al Bait housing and hotel complex, a 1.5-million-square-yard development that will include a towering hotel, has begun to redraw the skyline of this ancient religious city. When the project is completed in 2009, it will include the seventh tallest building in the world, its developers say, with a hospital, hotels and prayer halls. A public-announcement system pipes in prayers from the Grand Mosque across the way, and worshipers can join the masses simply by opening their draperies. In nearby Jabal Omar, an entire mountain is being flattened to make way for a huge hotel and high-rise complex. And elsewhere, cranes dot the skyline with up to 130 new high-rise towers planned for the area. "This is the end of Mecca," said Dr. Irfan Ahmed in London. He has formed the Islamic Heritage Foundation to try to preserve the Islamic history of Mecca, Medina, the second holiest city, and other important religious sites in Saudi Arabia. "Before, even in the days of the Ottomans, none of the buildings in Mecca towered higher than the Grand Mosque. Now these are much higher and more disrespectful." Money is certainly one of the motivators in the building boom. Every year, up to four million people descend on this city during the pilgrimage, while a stream continues to flow through here during the year, spending an average $2,000 to $3,000 to stay, eat and shop. Billboards along the way to Mecca remind investors of the potential earnings from owning an apartment here; some claim a 25 percent return on investment. Advertisements on Arab satellite television channels remind viewers that "you, too, can have the opportunity to enjoy this blessed view." Muhammad al-Abboud, a real estate agent, recounts tales of Pakistani businessmen plunking down $15 million to buy several apartments at a time. Saudi princes own entire floors. A three-bedroom apartment here runs about $3 million, Mr. Abboud said. One directly overlooking the Grand Mosque can reach $5 million. Critics of the development complain that the result is gated communities where worshipers can separate themselves from the crowds, thereby violating the spirit of the hajj, where all stand equal before God. "All of Mecca is a sanctuary," Mr. Abboud said. "So how could something like this not be snapped up?" But some groups say the building boom also has religious motives. They accuse the archconservative Salafi, who hold great sway in Saudi Arabia, of seeking to eliminate historic spots, fearing that these sites would become objects of worship themselves. Dr. Ahmed of London has cataloged the destruction of more than 300 separate antiquity sites, including cemeteries and mosques. He says the house where the Prophet Muhammad lived was razed and today a dilapidated library, with its windows and doors shuttered, stands in its place. "It is not respecting the Kaaba, not respecting the house of God or the environment of the sanctuary," Sami Angawi, a Saudi architect who wants to preserve Mecca's heritage, said of the development. "You are not supposed to even cut a tree in this city, so how could you blow up a mountain? The Islamic laws have been broken." Progress has exacted a heavy price in Mecca. More pilgrims than ever can come here, thanks to billions spent on tunnels and infrastructure to accommodate them. But in exchange, the city's once famed night market, where pilgrims brought their wares to sell, is gone. The Meccan homes and buildings that filled the area near the mosque were demolished in the 1970s to enlarge the mosque. The neighborhoods and families who lived near the mosque and welcomed pilgrims have long since moved away. Mecca has long been a commercial as well as a religious center, but increasingly global brands dominate here. Mr. Angawi, the Saudi architect, has led a lonely campaign within the kingdom to bring attention to the destruction of the historic sites. Dr. Ahmed has worked to lobby Asian and Arab governments to press the Saudis to stop such demolitions. And Mr. Ahmed, in Washington, has built a database of the historic spots now destroyed. Many Muslims inside and outside Saudi Arabia have remained silent about the issues, they say, fearing the loss of financing from Saudi Arabia for religious institutions and projects. Saudi officials say they have been painstakingly preserving the Islamic artifacts they find, and operate two small museums in Mecca. In all, they say, more than $19 billion has been spent on preserving the country's Muslim heritage. They dismiss their critics as cranks who have no following. Developers and real estate agents, meanwhile, say the construction makes room for even more Muslims to take part in the hajj, and therefore serves the greater good. That suggests that the changes are far from over. "Mecca has never been changed like it has now," Mr. Angawi said. "What you see now is only 10 percent of what's to come. What is coming is much, much worse." Hassan M. Fattah writing for The New York Times source Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Centurion Posted March 13, 2007 a lingerie shop - has been built directly across from Islam's holiest site. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Blessed Posted March 13, 2007 ^LOL! This might come as a surprise, but Mekkan ladies do wear undies. I don't see a problem with the developments. It would mean more Muslims would be able to make hajj and umrah, more jobs for the many poor Muslims and an improved quality of life. Mekkah has always been a trading post, so one little mall isn't that great of a deal. I've been to umrah last year and there isn't a sight or experience in this world that can compete with the ka'bah. Magnifique! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DigibAc Posted March 13, 2007 Looking to the past is a way for people to reflect on their present and the future. Maybe what is happening in Mecca is for the good, but all articles of the past should not be destroyed. Some should be preserved so that the people can reflect on them. ================== 3:137 Many were the Ways of Life that have passed away before you: travel through the earth, and see what was the end of those who rejected Truth. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Al-An'am (The Cattle) 6:11 Say: "Travel through the earth and see what was the end of those who rejected Truth." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Yusuf (Joseph) 12:109 Nor did We send before thee (as apostles) any but men, whom we did inspire,- (men) living in human habitations. Do they not travel through the earth, and see what was the end of those before them? But the home of the hereafter is best, for those who do right. Will ye not then understand? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- An-Nahl (The Bee) 16:36 For We assuredly sent amongst every People an apostle, (with the Command), "Serve Allah, and eschew Evil": of the People were some whom Allah guided, and some on whom error became inevitably (established). So travel through the earth, and see what was the end of those who denied (the Truth). -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Al-Hajj (The Pilgrimage) 22:46 Do they not travel through the land, so that their hearts (and minds) may thus learn wisdom and their ears may thus learn to hear? Truly it is not their eyes that are blind, but their hearts which are in their breasts. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- An-Naml (The Ants) 27:69 Say: "Go ye through the earth and see what has been the end of those guilty (of sin)." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Al-'Ankabut (The Spider) 29:20 Say: "Travel through the earth and see how Allah did originate creation; so will Allah produce a later creation: for Allah has power over all things. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ar-Rum (The Romans) 30:9 Do they not travel through the earth, and see what was the end of those before them? They were superior to them in strength: they tilled the soil and populated it in greater numbers than these have done: there came to them their apostles with Clear (Signs). (Which they rejected, to their own destruction): It was not Allah Who wronged them, but they wronged their own souls. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ar-Rum (The Romans) 30:42 Say: "Travel through the earth and see what was the end of those before (you): Most of them worshipped others besides Allah." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Fatir (The Originator of Creation) 35:44 Do they not travel through the earth, and see what was the End of those before them,- though they were superior to them in strength? Nor is Allah to be frustrated by anything whatever in the heavens or on earth: for He is All-Knowing. All-Powerful. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
-Lily- Posted March 13, 2007 a lingerie shop - has been built directly across from Islam's holiest site. Kamiya, Does that mean they are blessed undies then Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Centurion Posted March 13, 2007 ^LOL! This might come as a surprise, but Mekkan ladies do wear undies. true, highly inappropriate if they didnt, i must admit. But there's something profoundly 'wrong' about a lingerie store slap bang right in front of the Ka'ba. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Som@li Posted March 13, 2007 From How things going,tha Saudis may shut the doors to Mecca and start charging pple money. Was reading abt timeshares property in Mecca, and it was attracking many customers. Planning to go Umrah soon, North, U coming? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ms DD Posted March 13, 2007 Quite disappointing. People are encouraged to spend thousands on a pilgrimage which they believe is essential to all healthy Muslims. They make the trip, only to be further exploited by people eager to take whatever money they have left. Imagine finding the Ka'ba on one side of you and a huge shopping mall on the next. what happened to spending in the way of Alllah swt?What happened to abhorring extrvagence and arrogance through wealth. Hajj is about giving up everything and building your spiritual side and connecting with Allah(swt) and now it seems they are reducing this to nothing more then a materialistic trip where you got the shopping malls and arcades etc Inshallah, the Saudis will see sense before they break everything to turn a buck. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
N.O.R.F Posted March 13, 2007 Saxib i'm planning for hajj IA, i think now is a good time for umrah as its quiet time of year and you may actually get to touch the black stone. But remember dont push! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Blessed Posted March 13, 2007 LOl@ Lily Cent.. Originally posted by Centurion: quote: ^LOL! This might come as a surprise, but Mekkan ladies do wear undies. true, highly inappropriate if they didnt, i must admit. But there's something profoundly 'wrong' about a lingerie store slap bang right in front of the Ka'ba. It wouldn't be right in front of the Kacbah. The kaba is the central feature of a very large mosque that is further surrounded by a huge out door prayer area. Then you get hotels and small souqs (and perhaps) this mall behind that. Knowing Saudis, the lingeri shop wouldn't be allowed to showcase their merchandise on the window display. Cambarro, Development is necessary in Makkah as it is everywhere else. The only thing that bothers me is that some of the brands in that mall are riba based / pro-Zionist businesses. They shouldn’t be given space in Makkah. Makkahs economy has always been based on trade and that’s how its residents past and present – including our Messenger (saw) earn/ed their living. No one goes to Makkah for shopping, so if a mall is going take your focus away from your purpose of being there, you simply didn’t go prepared. There is also evident poverty amongst some of the cities residents which gives pilgrims ample opportunity for sadaqah. *This topic reminds me of some photos I was supposed to share... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
xiinfaniin Posted March 13, 2007 ^^I would’ve preferred a tank building factory but any development is a good thing, I agree! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Che -Guevara Posted March 13, 2007 The only thing that bothers me is that some of the brands in that mall are riba based / pro-Zionist businesses. Why discriminate? It brings a healthy competition to the local economy,and product diversification for the consumer. Let it be! Tank factory right near the Kaaba. Interesting, just what is that suppose to convey Xiin. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Centurion Posted March 13, 2007 It wouldn't be right in front of the Kacbah. The kaba is the central feature of a very large mosque that is further surrounded by a huge out door prayer area. Then you get hotels and small souqs (and perhaps) this mall behind that. Yes, i know and i was slightly exaggerating. And 'tis true, and women do need their lingerie . Nevertheless, this mindless development is not what the holy city needs, and by ensuring they squeeze every last dollar out of the 5 million yearly pilgrims, the Saudis are almost defacing the place. This paragraph in the report sums it up: "It is not respecting the Kaaba, not respecting the house of God or the environment of the sanctuary," Sami Angawi, a Saudi architect who wants to preserve Mecca's heritage, said of the development. "You are not supposed to even cut a tree in this city, so how could you blow up a mountain? The Islamic laws have been broken." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Blessed Posted March 13, 2007 Che... Are you for real? Cen. I get your point. I don't think it's that big of a deal. I prefer the local souqs, the buzz is great and you get Islamic literature at quarter the UK, US retail prices. Why tanks yaa Xiin? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
xiinfaniin Posted March 13, 2007 ^^Because it’s passé’, at this point, to build shopping malls where gulf schemers spend sums of money on lavish items of western products. It’s about time to wise up and understand what it takes to live in dignity. Tanks may not precisely sum up my point but it’s a one symbol of defense mechanism, which our Gulf brothers so badly lack! Absent of aspirant leaders for that regard, I have hesitantly agreed with you yaa Kimiya! Logic: sending their petro-dollars across the sea and investing it in America’s economic houses is a lot worse than investing back into the community—albeit going with it on another shopping spree! edit: Che, it conveys a message of technological development and logistical reach (being able to manufacture their own tanks to defend themselves)! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
