The Saudis are bulldozing Islam’s heritage. Why the silence from the Muslim world?
The Guradian: By Damian Thompson World Last updated: November 2nd, 2012
Modern Mecca, courtesy of the House of Saud (Photo: AFP/Getty)
From Saturday’s Daily Telegraph
Imagine that the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem – the traditional site of the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus – has been taken over by Cromwellian Puritans. The new owners of the shrine plan to send bulldozers in, replacing the old church with a monstrous building resembling a concrete spaceship. This is so pilgrims can pray without being distracted by “superstitious” icons. Also, the Old City will be buried under hotels that make Vegas look like Venice.
It wouldn’t happen, would it? Christians would fight to the death to preserve Jerusalem. So would Jews and Muslims. And, for once, they’d have the support of secular politicians and scholars, horrified by the prospect of an act of cultural vandalism unprecedented in modern times.
Categories: Asia, Behaviour, Bigotry, Blasphemy, Culture and Traditions, Culture Clash, Double Standard, Saudi Arabia