Wow. Wahhabist fundies are destroying historic Mecca, Medina

[charlie]

The same fear of idolatry and polytheism that drove zealots to destroy the Bamiyan Buddhas is wrecking the Muslim holy cities. Historic sites are being bulldozed and concreted over, forcing archeologists to keep new finds secret. Weirder still, the real estate freed by the destruction has been a boon for developers, who build hotels and highrises on the spots. Strange, strange days.

A Saudi architect, Sami Angawi, who is an acknowledged specialist on the region's Islamic architecture, told The Independent that the final farewell to Mecca is imminent: "What we are witnessing are the last days of Mecca and Medina."

According to Dr Angawi - who has dedicated his life to preserving Islam's two holiest cities - as few as 20 structures are left that date back to the lifetime of the Prophet 1,400 years ago and those that remain could be bulldozed at any time. "This is the end of history in Mecca and Medina and the end of their future," said Dr Angawi.

...

Ali al-Ahmed, the head of the organisation, formerly known as the Saudi Institute, said: "The destruction of Islamic landmarks in Hijaz is the largest in history, and worse than the desecration of the Koran."

Most of the buildings have suffered the same fate as the house of Ali-Oraid, the grandson of the Prophet, which was identified and excavated by Dr Angawi. After its discovery, King Fahd ordered that it be bulldozed before it could become a pilgrimage site.

...

The Wahhabists now have the birthplace of the Prophet in their sights. The site survived redevelopment early in the reign of King Abdul al-Aziz ibn Saud 50 years ago when the architect for a library there persuaded the absolute ruler to allow him to keep the remains under the new structure. That concession is under threat after Saudi authorities approved plans to "update" the library with a new structure that would concrete over the existing foundations and their priceless remains.

http://news.independent.co.uk/world/middle_east/article304029.ece

[PATRICK]

1. Bin Laden big in construction

Things seem to fit together, don't they? Champions out for themselves destroying thier own supposed beliefs, in any way possible.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

2. pilgrimage sites

because Sufis revere the tombs of saints and other holy places. I have been on pilgrimage to the tombs of two Sufi saints buried here in the States, and it is an awesome experience. Sufis have been persecuted in Wahhabist Saudi Arabia, btw.

[charlie]

5. The devil's dance the Sauds do with the hardline Wahhabists

has always been bad business, but this is a new indication of how deeply rotten it's become. There must be a lot of subjects in the kingdom privately dismayed and keening over this.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

6. interesting that you said dance

as dancing in some form or another is a spiritual practice done by many different Sufi orders. In some countries, these rituals must be done in secret for fear of government reprisals.

[autorank]

3. So lets, see, the Saudi govt. uses their Wingnuts to make money!

...and the Saudi government doesn't really give a shit about their faith. Desecrating holy sites because they don't fit in with the current Wahabist extremist version of Islam is truly pathetic. Who was it that said we invaded the wrong country?

During Europe's dark and middle ages, Arab Islamic culture developed great centers of learning and knowledge. They also had advanced methods of communication and commerce. In Europe, the vast majority were slogging through the mud of post-Roman civilization. Only the serenisima, The Republic of Venice, stood as an equal to Arab culture. In fact, Venice gained much if it's wealth through trade with the Arabs.

How far the center of Islam has fallen, destroying its grand heritage and allowing the ignorant and corrupt to rule what was one of the greatest and most learned cultures in the worlds history.

Some say * and company want to take America in the direction of Texas. I think it's more like the direction of Saudi Arabia.

[roguevalley]

4. it boggles the mind that this could happen. I am so sorry to hear this.

[Igel]

7. They've been on a history-eradication mission for years.

Almost no Ottoman fortresses or ruins remain.

Apparently the only things allowed to exist from before dear ol' Wahhab lived are writings from approved authors.

[Catholic Sensation]

8. this is absolutely revolting

it would be like the most right wing of christianity going to the Vatican and destroying churches and buildings

[annabanana]

9. exactly..

nail on the head, C.S.