Mosque Project
Since pre-Islamic times Mecca has always been known as a sacred site, however due to mass construction and modernization, the sacredness of this holy city may be slowly dying. Mecca contains the Holy Mosque and the Kaaba. The Kaaba is a tall, box-like structure which stands in a courtyard in the center of the Holy Mosque, and it became established as the main object of pilgrimages to Mecca (Dictionary of Islamic Architecture). Mecca is the birth place of the prophet Muhammad and contains a lot of important historical sites such as the site where Muhammad was born, the house of the prophet’s wife Khadijah and the house of Abu Bakr, as well as Muhammad’s grandson’s house which was flattened by the King’s palace. All of these
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I think that there are two sides. One being the Saudi Arabian government who operate under Wahhabism, in which they think that it is good to demolish Islamic historical sites (such as the birthplace of Muhammad, or the house he lived in) because they see it as encouraging sinful idolatry. I get that they think that people may start worshiping those historical sites and lose focus on the heart of Islam, but I don’t think that is their only motive. I think that the Saudi Arabian government sees a lot of other cities and countries modernizing and urbanizing themselves and making advances in architecture and having a more modern way of life, and I think they are afraid to get stuck. What I mean by that is they are afraid that because the holy mosque is in Mecca, that there city will never make cultural advances but rather be stuck back in the time of the prophet. It is easy to forget that Mecca is a city just like any other, which just happens to house the holy mosque. While it is a mainly visited by Muslims doing the hajj, it is also visited by Nonmuslims and has other attractions than the mosque and Kaaba and I think that the Saudi Arabian government is trying to expand that aspect of Mecca. The other side of the argument is that in destroying historical sites, and building skyscrapers around the mosque, it takes away for the sacredness of the place as well as the spiritual aspect of the Hajj as a whole. I think lots people
Mecca was known as a trading city, for its camel caravans that would constantly visit, and an important religious shrine known as the Ka’ba which was economically beneficial since traders would pay to visit it and its other idols. Islam would begin with the teachings of Muhammad: monotheism, support for the weak and the poor, and that Muhammad was allah’s prophet. Muhammad would be unaccepted by the people of Mecca because his teachings threatened their economy and he wanted to eliminate idol worship. Muhammad fled to Medina and began to create a following known as the Ulma and later developed into a political leader. Eventually, Muhammad would return and conquer the city of Mecca, establishing Islam and destroying everything but the Ka’ba.
Islam began, as stated, in the desert land of Arabia. Due to the Arabs’ tribal nature, they were skilled at navigation and long-distance trading. They became the guides and couriers of the trade routes going to and from Africa and Asia. Thus, towns began to form, including the famous pilgrimage site, Mecca. Arabian tribes often worshipped the Black Stone, kept in the Kaaba, which was located in Mecca. Thus, those that controlled the shrine controlled the entire economic and spiritual life of the region surrounding Mecca. From this group came Muhammad, who founded Islam and changed the course of the Arabs worship. After experiencing a spiritual epiphany in, or around, 610, Muhammad made a decision to worship only the most prominent god in Arab faith, Allah.
When it comes to the modern relationship that Islam shares with both Christianity and Judaism, it is not difficult to recognize mutual hostility. Islamic extremism has been gradually dominating the Western perception of Muslims—in the midst of this, the World Trade Center attacks could only exacerbate the situation. On that account, it was no surprise when these hostile attitudes were unmistakably revealed during the “Cordoba House” mosque controversy at which point in 2010, it was proposed that a mosque dubbed the Cordoba House be established near ground zero. Sure enough, the proposition was met with overwhelming opposition and rebuke (Barbaro). Most of the country objected to the mosque while many of those with more personal experiences
Muhammad: the holy land is an important site for my faith because mecca is my birthplace and the site where i had my first revelations of the qur’an. it also is important muslim takes a trip mecca.
The Koran Interpreted, a translation by A. J. Arberry (New York: Touchstone, 1996). ©1955 by George Allen
The recent battle over what has been referred to as the "Ground Zero mosque" was a sign that opinions haven't changed and emotions haven't cooled much in the last ten years. In reality, the Ground Zero mosque, officially named Park51, is neither a mosque nor is it located at Ground Zero. In fact, it isn't even visible from the World Trade Center site. Park51, a 13-story Muslim community center, will replace a Burlington Coat Factory building that was damaged in the 9/11 attacks. It will be open to the public and will contain a Muslim prayer space as well as a memorial for the victims of the attacks. The planned center, located two blocks from the attacks, has sparked controversy and protests. Opponents of the community center have argued that a mosque so close to Ground Zero would be offensive since the men behind the September 11 attacks were Islamic terrorists. However, supporters of Park51 point out that
Within the Arabian desert rests the town of Mecca which houses the Ka‘ba, the pantheon site where the all the pagan Arab pilgrims converged to worship their tribal deities. Although no one knows who built the square, roofless structure, or when it was set up, the Ka‘ba became the center of the religious life in pre-Islamic Arabia, the sixth century Anno Domini (AD), is characterized as a time of complex beliefs of no universalism or moral absolutism, neo-animism (providing a host of intermediary deities between the creator god and his creation), and henotheism (belief in a
A more recent conflicts have occurred after 9/11. Mosques have been vandalized, bombed and burned; and Muslim and Americans having the perceived appearance of “Middle Eastern” continue to be attacked and harassed. And when critics condemned the proposal of a mosque at “Ground Zero.” “A national controversy erupted when New York Muslims announced the “Cordoba
A simple commonality between the Abrahamic religions is that they all have a center of worship and traveling to these locations is a holy obligation to these faiths. Jerusalem and the nation of Israel is the seat of Judaism. Israel 's diverse culture stems from the diversity of its population: Jews from diaspora communities around the world have brought their cultural and religious traditions back with them, creating a melting pot of Jewish customs and beliefs. Vatican City is an enclave within the city of Rome is home to Saint Peter’s Basilica. St. Peter 's is regarded as one of the holiest Catholic shrines. It has been designated as a unique position in the Christian world. Vatican City is also the seat of the Pope, the Bishop of Rome and the leader of the Catholic Church. Mecca is regarded as the holiest city in the religion of Islam and is the birthplace of Mohammed. For centuries Mecca has served as a major economic hub, for it lays in between Europe and Asia. Mohammed is once exiled from Mecca but returns years later with an army. But Mohammed recognized the importance of this city and knew that its financial influence would be key toward to founding of Islam. Hajj, one of the Five Pillars, is the pilgrimage to Mecca must be done at least once for
From the text is says, “Mecca was prosperous and was a trading center with spices, perfumes, precious, metals, and Chinese silk.”(Doc A) Some more evidence that was in the text stated,”In the town of Mecca was also the Kabah which was Arabia’s Holiest pagan shrine so many would visit it to pray.(Doc A) Many people would visit Mecca because of the trade and the Ka’bah and many people would be intrigued by the religion’s practices of Islam where they then thinks it’s interesting and then
The idea to build a “ground zero mosque & community center near the world trade center site in lower Manhattan” has been pretty much controversial from sometime. Government has tried to keep this matter undercover and that’s why most of the people don’t usually how about the seriousness of this matter as well as how much debate this matter has brought from various politicians and from media as well. This article shows a better way to see the point of view of both sides. As it refers to the people’s reaction and even after so much time, the efforts done to stop these plans are all in vain.
The Taj Mahal,which is regarded as one of the seven wonders of the world, has been admired by many people but recently it has started a bit of a controversy. A legal case fought by six lawyers in Agra,claims that the famous monument built by Shah Jahan in memory of his wife was initially an ancient Hindu temple/shrine. This case was accepted by the Agra Court,which calls for the ownership of the Taj Mahal to be transferred to Hindus as a place of worship,but this plan doesn’t run smoothly with the Muslims who have been using the mausoleum as a religious place, and giving the possession to Hindus will obstruct their religious rituals. Recently in Parliament,Dr Mahesh Sharma(India’s culture minister) stated that he was aware of the rising issue
Kaaba – a sacred building made of “black stone” in the shape of a cube in Mecca and when in prayer Muslins turn in this direction (Dictionary)
Hajj is one of the five pillars of God gave Muhammed and so it is very
squatted and rented buildings condemned or demolished to make way for redevelopment. The private enclosed space of the Msheireb construction site, expands week by week and its border fence redefines open accessibility through old Al-Asmakh to residents and visitors. There are ongoing research discussions about regenerating or rebuilding existing buildings in this area and the social use of architecture. Please see: http://www.urbanpamphleteer.org/heritage-and-renewal-in-doha for more critical discussions about the structural change in Doha.