Fao Naomi And Othes Interested In Muslim Culture

[DTCwordfan]

The DT had a good book review for ' Mecca, the Sacred City' by Ziauddin Sardar, the book looking at the city from many perspectives, it's history, architecture (how this is being destroyed in favour of Saudi bling), showing how Mecca though central to Islam has never been central to their culture, not even that of Mohammed, the disparity between the local residents and the pilgrims, the dogmatism of the religion and Mecca's impact on that, and then some views on how it will progress.

One of the pithy remarks that was referred to, "what is it about visions of paradise that turns minds hellish? This enduring human conundrum is neither a hypothetical question nor one exclusive to Islam."

That question maybe a good one for debate here, so consider that my question.....

Looks an interesting read. £25 from Bloomsbury.

[boxtops]

Thought provoking article here about "progress" from the same author.

http://fullcomment.nationalpost.com/2014/10/02/ziauddin-sardar-how-saudi-arabia-ruined-the-hajj/

[DTCwordfan]

Imagine if we were to do that to Canterbury Cathedral, Westminster Abbey or York Minster........thanks, Boxie, that is part of the theme of his book, the key message being the reduction of pluralism in Muslim culture leading to the excesses we see today.

[Elina]

& 14.29 on Kindle DTC!

[naomi24]

DT, thank you. Good question. I'm thinking about it.

[DTCwordfan]

Thanks, elina.

It is a good question, perhaps that is the very foundation of extremism in the religion, expectations that are beyond reality!

[naomi24]

The expectations of religion are beyond reality, but the reduction in pluralism within Islam is the most dangerous aspect of religion the world has yet encountered - and I've no doubt it's happening.

[DTCwordfan]

That's one of Sardar's major points in his writings it appears....tend to agree with that and he's from within as such, the book starts off with his pilgrimage and how the values in that and the pluralism have been removed, partly because of the packages for pilgrims now rather than the long walk in to Mecca (and back) and the bling accommodation that separates groups from mingling - probably for security reasons too ré the Saudis.

[naomi24]

DT, I take it you've read the book?

[DTCwordfan]

I am reading it, naomi.....

[naomi24]

Thanks DT. I'll be interested to hear your thoughts. (I'll probably get it).

[DTCwordfan]

No probs, I'll bear you in mind for a review...got a weekend's relief from the mater duties this coming w/end so the tome will be coming with me. I have an interest as well, being an infidel who has been inside the hallowed walls of the city - the Christian Bypass up to Taif from Jeddah was closed and, rather than traipse all the way back to Jeddah and up the old road, my agents approached the guards, explained who my sponsor was, (the old man one of Fahd's advisers) and that they only needed to skirt a mile or so down the eastern flank of the city and that we would be going nowhere near the Kaaba.

It was since then (1987), that they estimate that 95% of the old buildings of Mecca have been destroyed, many over a thousand years old. Not only the loss of the architecture but also many historical and religious sites too, including five of the renowned "Seven Mosques" initially built by Muhammad's daughter and four of his "greatest Companions": Masjid Abu Bakr, Masjid Salman al-Farsi, Masjid Umar ibn al-Khattab, Masjid Sayyida Fatima Lady Rasulullah and Masjid Ali ibn Abu Talib.

The fortress has gone in favour of the Abraj Al Bait towers, the house of Abu Bakr for the Hilton Hotel no less, (and a brand that is technically Jewish owned) and so on. In doing so, I wonder how much of this wanton destruction has contributed to making the Haj so singular an experience, rather than the rich awakening that it had before.....

[naomi24]

Thanks DT. Enjoy your free weekend. :o)