4 ms·
Amazing city. It's unfortunate the Ajyad Fortress (1) had to be demolished to make way for the tower with the largest clock face in the world (2). I also note e
by meric 11y ago
Amazing city. It's unfortunate the Ajyad Fortress (1) had to be demolished to make way for the tower with the largest clock face in the world (2). I also note every time I visited a devout Muslim's small business or home, and they have a picture of the Grand Mosque, it's free of the new modern additions that will facilitate two million (and growing) pilgrims who visit every year. I suppose the Saudi government didn't care much for past heritage and tradition because, for muslims, Islam is the religion for the present, and the future.
1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ajyad_Fortress https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ajyad_Fortress
2. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abraj_Al_Bait https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abraj_Al_Bait
- _petronius 11y agoA certain amount of almost Byzantine-style iconoclasm seems to be a feature of Wahabbism[1] in particular, rather than Islam as a whole. [1]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wahhabism#Shi.27a_criticism https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wahhabism#Shi.27a_criticism
- wtbob 11y agoNote that the Byzantine iconoclasts were heavily influenced by the very early Mohammedan conquests, which rather tends to support the Wahabbists' claims to be the original Islam.
- mnazim 11y agoQuran and Hadith, devoid of their historical context, leave them open to application as required, to safeguard the interests of the ruling elite. It's all about power and organised religion is one of the most potent tool to keep masses in check.
- insulanian 11y ago> for muslims, Islam is the religion for the present, and the future. Well said.
- exodust 11y agoWhy is it well said? The same could be said for any religion. Committed followers and believers, praying right now for this life and the next. Besides, reflection of the past is a crucial component of Islam. The pilgrims re-enact rituals from thousands of years ago. You might even say, without faith in ancient stories interpreted from ancient books, there would be no annual pilgrimage to Mecca. It seems to me the slogan "Islam is the religion for present and future" is designed to explain the giant shopping mall clock, more than any insight or true reflection about Islam.