[Mudassar-Rana]

Saudi regime at it again... lanatAllalh on them


Over the past 10 years the holiest site in Islam has undergone a huge transformation, one that has divided opinion among Muslims all over the world.

Once a dusty desert town struggling to cope with the ever-increasing number of pilgrims ar
riving for the annual Hajj, the city now soars above its surroundings with a glittering array of skyscrapers, shopping malls and luxury hotels.

To the al-Saud monarchy, Mecca is their vision of the future – a steel and concrete metropolis built on the proceeds of enormous oil wealth that showcases their national pride.

Yet growing numbers of citizens, particularly those living in the two holy cities of Mecca and Medina, have looked on aghast as the nation's archaeological heritage is trampled under a construction mania backed by hardline clerics who preach against the preservation of their own heritage. Mecca, once a place where the Prophet Mohamed insisted all Muslims would be equal, has become a playground for the rich, critics say, where naked capitalism has usurped spirituality as the city's raison d'être.

Few are willing to discuss their fears openly because of the risks associated with criticising official policy in the authoritarian kingdom. And, with the exceptions of Turkey and Iran, fellow Muslim nations have largely held their tongues for fear of of a diplomatic fallout and restrictions on their citizens' pilgrimage visas. Western archaeologists are silent out of fear that the few sites they are allowed access to will be closed to them.

But a number of prominent Saudi archaeologists and historians are speaking up in the belief that the opportunity to save Saudi Arabia's remaining historical sites is closing fast.

"No one has the balls to stand up and condemn this cultural vandalism," says Dr Irfan al-Alawi who, as executive director of the Islamic Heritage Research Foundation, has fought in vain to protect his country's historical sites. "We have already lost 400-500 sites. I just hope it's not too late to turn things around."

Sami Angawi, a renowned Saudi expert on the region's Islamic architecture, is equally concerned. "This is an absolute contradiction to the nature of Mecca and the sacredness of the house of God," he told the Reuters news agency earlier this year. "Both [Mecca and Medina] are historically almost finished. You do not find anything except skyscrapers."

Dr Alawi's most pressing concern is the planned £690m expansion of the Grand Mosque, the most sacred site in Islam which contains the Kaaba – the black stone cube built by Ibrahim (Abraham) that Muslims face when they pray.

Construction officially began earlier this month with the country's Justice Minister, Mohammed al-Eissa, exclaiming that the project would respect "the sacredness and glory of the location, which calls for the highest care and attention of the servants or Islam and Muslims".

The 400,000 square metre development is being built to accommodate an extra 1.2 million pilgrims each year and will turn the Grand Mosque into the largest religious structure in the world. But the Islamic Heritage Foundation has compiled a list of key historical sites that they believe are now at risk from the ongoing development of Mecca, including the old Ottoman and Abbasi sections of the Grand Mosque, the house where the Prophet Mohamed was born and the house where his paternal uncle Hamza grew up.

There is little argument that Mecca and Medina desperately need infrastructure development. Twelve million pilgrims visit the cities every year with the numbers expected to increase to 17 million by 2025.

But critics fear that the desire to expand the pilgrimage sites has allowed the authorities to ride roughshod over the area's cultural heritage. The Washington-based Gulf Institute estimates that 95 per cent of Mecca's millennium-old buildings have been demolished in the past two decades alone.

The destruction has been aided by Wahabism, the austere interpretation of Islam that has served as the kingdom's official religion ever since the al-Sauds rose to power across the Arabian Peninsula in the 19th century.

In the eyes of Wahabis, historical sites and shrines encourage "shirq" – the sin of idolatry or polytheism – and should be destroyed. When the al-Saud tribes swept through Mecca in the 1920s, the first thing they did was lay waste to cemeteries holding many of Islam's important figures. They have been destroying the country's heritage ever since. Of the three sites the Saudis have allowed the UN to designate World Heritage Sites, none are related to Islam.

Those circling the Kaaba only need to look skywards to see the latest example of the Saudi monarchy's insatiable appetite for architectural bling. At 1,972ft, the Royal Mecca Clock Tower, opened earlier this year, soars over the surrounding Grand Mosque, part of an enormous development of skyscrapers that will house five-star hotels for the minority of pilgrims rich enough to afford them.

To build the skyscraper city, the authorities dynamited an entire mountain and the Ottoman era Ajyad Fortress that lay on top of it. At the other end of the Grand Mosque complex, the house of the Prophet's first wife Khadijah has been turned into a toilet block. The fate of the house he was born in is uncertain. Also planned for demolition are the Grand Mosque's Ottoman columns which dare to contain the names of the Prophet's companions, something hardline Wahabis detest.

For ordinary Meccans living in the mainly Ottoman-era town houses that make up much of what remains of the old city, development often means the loss of their family home.

Non-Muslims cannot visit Mecca and Medina, but The Independent was able to interview a number of citizens who expressed discontent over the way their town was changing. One young woman whose father recently had his house bulldozed described how her family was still waiting for compensation. "There was very little warning; they just came and told him that the house had to be bulldozed," she said.

Another Meccan added: "If a prince of a member of the royal family wants to extend his palace he just does it. No one talks about it in public though. There's such a climate of fear."

Dr Alawi hopes the international community will finally begin to wake up to what is happening in the cradle of Islam. "We would never allow someone to destroy the Pyramids, so why are we letting Islam's history disappear?"

Under Threat

Bayt al-Mawlid

When the Wahabis took Mecca in the 1920s they destroyed the dome on top of the house where the Prophet Mohammed was born. It was thenused as a cattle market before being turned into a library after a campaign by Meccans. There are concerns that the expansion of the Grand Mosque will destroy it once more. The site has never been excavated by archaeologists.

Ottoman and Abasi columns of the Grand Mosque

Slated for demolition as part of the Grand Mosque expansion, these intricately carved columns date back to the 17th century and are the oldest surviving sections of Islam's holiest site. Much to the chagrin of Wahabis, they are inscribed with the names of the Prophet's companions. Ottomon Mecca is now rapidly disappearing

Al-Masjid al-Nawabi

For many years, hardline Wahabi clerics have had their sites set on the 15th century green dome that rests above the tomb holding the Prophet, Abu Bakr and Umar in Medina. The mosque is regarded as the second holiest site in Islam. Wahabis, however, believe marked graves are idolatrous. A pamphlet published in 2007 by the Saudi Ministry of Islamic Affairs, endorsed by Abdulaziz Al Sheikh, the Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia, stated that "the green dome shall be demolished and the three graves flattened in the Prophet's Masjid".

[Fekay]

Najdi occupation of muslim holy sites should be viewed no differnt to western occupation of muslim countries. They are slowly destroying islamic heritage and leaving behind the trails of dajjal! Similar with salafi terrorists in libya and syria destroying holy shrines.

[Mudassar-Rana]

Fekay, on 06 August 2012 - 11:44 PM, said:

Najdi occupation of muslim holy sites should be viewed no differnt to western occupation of muslim countries. They are slowly destroying islamic heritage and leaving behind the trails of dajjal! Similar with salafi terrorists in libya and syria destroying holy shrines.

It is probably the most messed up ideology in history. The man that brought them the religion that they want to shove their version of down everybody's throat is the very man whose relics and final resting place they wish to destroy.

This takfiri ideology is the one that people should spend night and day in refuting ideologically. they are a bigger danger than israel, america and qadiani's combined!

[Mudassar-Rana]

A pamphlet published in 2007 by the Saudi Ministry of Islamic Affairs, endorsed by Abdulaziz Al Sheikh, the Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia, stated that "the green dome shall be demolished and the three graves flattened in the Prophet's Masjid"

And where worried about the jews raising masjid al aqsa?!

The wahabbi's and their takfiri brethren will never promote the ahlul bayt because the moment people know what the ahlul bayt were this filth will be hung from every lampost in every muslim capital. Until then carry on fighting over whose beard is longer, stomach is bigger and trousers shorter.

[qadrimuslim]

Infuriating! Definitely signs of the end of times

and if you didn't believe wahabi'ism was a dajjalic force, you need to wake up mega quick

"This fictitious belief - Somehow for 1400 years Muslims were on error - and in this "perverse era" of enlightenment the Ummah was waiting for you to come and tell us what we were doing wrong"

La hawla wa la quwata

When will Muslims stand up and take back their lands?

When will these so called mujahidin turn their eyes on the biggest occupation? When will this arab spring depose the dajjalic state of Saudi America?

Only when we stop looking through the one eye

[Mudassar-Rana]

qadrimuslim, on 07 August 2012 - 02:21 AM, said:

"This fictitious belief - Somehow for 1400 years Muslims were on error - and in this "perverse era" of enlightenment the Ummah was waiting for you to come and tell us what we were doing wrong"

Perfectly true point. What needs to be done is a massive pooling of resources both financial and ilm to counteract this fitna ideologically. If tahir ul qadri saab can publish a refutation on terrorism then we need a similar 500 page fatwa on why muslims visit grave yards. What is shirk. What is biddah. Why wahabism is filth disguised as islam. Why wahabism was used by the british to destroy the ottoman caliphate? Why Wahabism is being used under the guise of al qaeda and its affiliates to further western foreign policy?

It needs to be in english, arabic and urdu. And spread to all corners. This scum needs to be silenced.

Why it wont happen?

Because saudi petro dollars permeates sunni's as well as wahabis. Why do you think takfirism anti shiaism is growing amongst the sunni's? Why do you think that Noor tv and Ummah tv can show a video dedicated to King Abdullah and lauding him for visiting roza e rasool pak a.s? These channels need advertising money to run. And capitalists dont care about right or wrong they care about profits.

Who needs to take up the role and force scholars to speak out?

Intellectuals, journalists, internet forums need to take the lead and present research on all topics. Wahabism is an infinately weak school of thought. Its basis is weak because it is based on hatred whilst islam is based on love. If you have pirs and sheikhs and they are learned then ask them to write reports on these issues. Shame those people and their illegitimate sons.Whether you like it or not indo-pak pirs have a cult like following and if they presented intellectual refutation of kufr like Pir Mehr Ali Shah r.a once did it would be a massive service to deen. It would in one fell stroke eliminate enemies within and outside islam.

[HanafiUK]

May Allah Swt destroy the satanic fitna and help unite the muslim ummah

Here is a shocker video

Israel is also secrelty busy in destroying the Islamic History. They are doing exactly what the Saudi wahabis are doing in saudi arabia, Pakistan, iraq, egypt, mali, libya, somalia. Deliberatly targeting and destroying the graves of Muslims, and Sahaba Ra. They too need space to build carparks, hotels etc.





Shame all the Muslim Ummah is silent on this, where are the sunni scholars etc. It shows that the Media is controlling our minds, what ever is shown on media 24 7, we follow it and what ever is not shown, we are just quiet on it.

[warea]

The Communists, Zionists and Wahhabis are the same creed, wiping out any trace of Islamic past.

[Aljannah]

Mudassar-Rana, on 06 August 2012 - 11:18 PM, said:

Saudi regime at it again... lanatAllalh on them

You're sending Lanat on fellow Muslim brothers?
Nice.
Do know it will land on either of you.

This post has been edited by Desert-Sheikh: 07 August 2012 - 11:23 PM
Reason for edit: Please avoid quoting long posts.

[Aljannah]

This site reminds me of Front Magazine sometimes. They're a bunch of racists, but what do you call brothers n sisters hating on their own? Mhmm... Hypocrites maybe ... Allah swt knows best.

[qadrimuslim]

Aljannah, on 07 August 2012 - 08:26 PM, said:

This site reminds me of Front Magazine sometimes. They're a bunch of racists, but what do you call brothers n sisters hating on their own? Mhmm... Hypocrites maybe ... Allah swt knows best.

brother, you like to make a lot of comments but run when we ask you questions

1) Do you agree with what these wahabis are doing to Islamic heritage?

2) Do you disagree that they are purposefully and methodically spewing hatred against the Ahlus Sunnah? The Sufiya? The Shrines of pious Muslims? (Maqams and Zawiyas).

3) You say we are racist? When did denouncing and praying for the fall of wahabis become racism? Please explain your statement.

4) What do you find so attractive about this 200 year old Wahabi ideology?

[Aljannah]

qadrimuslim, on 08 August 2012 - 12:31 AM, said:

brother, you like to make a lot of comments but run when we ask you questions

1) Do you agree with what these wahabis are doing to Islamic heritage?

2) Do you disagree that they are purposefully and methodically spewing hatred against the Ahlus Sunnah? The Sufiya? The Shrines of pious Muslims? (Maqams and Zawiyas).

3) You say we are racist? When did denouncing and praying for the fall of wahabis become racism? Please explain your statement.

4) What do you find so attractive about this 200 year old Wahabi ideology?

Firstly I'm not your brother. Secondly look at yourself before you point fingers. You are a nobody, especially compared with the highest n most respected scholars of Al Islam. Thus I ask you to think before you say such severe words against a person who you bring lies about. You should repent and amend your ways before your soul is taken from you. I leave you with this...

Praise be to Allaah. 
The Muslim is obliged
to accept the teachings of Islam, and act upon them. When he hears of
some word or deed which is based on evidence (daleel) from the Qur’aan
or Sunnah, then he has to accept it and give it priority over anything
else. He should check what people say against the evidence of sharee’ah,
and only accept those views which are in accordance with that evidence.
It is known that Shaykh Muhammad ibn ‘Abd Al-Wahhaab (may Allaah have
mercy on him) called people to Tawheed and he wrote his famous book
on that topic which is called Kitaab al-Tawheed. In this book
he limited himself to quoting only the clear evidence from the verses
of the Qur’aan and the saheeh ahaadeeth of the Prophet
(peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him). Commentaries on this book
were written by his grandson ‘Abd al-Rahmaan ibn Hasan and other scholars.
Hence none of his opponents can refute this book or claim that his evidence
is false. They fabricated lies and believed them, so they believed that
he was misguided. They gave the same label to the scholars of the Muslims
such as Shaykh Ibn Baaz and Shaykh al-Albaani (may Allaah have mercy
on them both). It is known that the shaykhs whom we have mentioned did
not deviate from  the correct view with regard to beliefs and actions;
they followed the same path as the Sahaabah and Taabi’een, the four
imaams, the authors of the Six Books and others. Those who do not acknowledge
them do that either out of ignorance, blind imitation of others, jealousy,
stubbornness or following their own whims and desires, or adherence
to traditions, bid’ah (innovation) and evil actions that go against
the evidence (of sharee’ah).  Earlier and later scholars have proven
such people to be wrong. So we must follow the evidence and give it
priority over the views of all people. 

Shaykh Ibn Jibreen