Islam must rise to the challenge of the warmongers within its ranks

A REPORT in The Independent (London) last weekend suggested that the authorities in Saudi Arabia are targeting the birthplace of the prophet Mohammed in the holy city of Mecca for destruction.

According to the article, religious leaders are terrified that such an important site could become the object of devotional worship, rather like Knock or Lourdes in the Catholic world. The Saudi authorities believe that such devotions are idolatrous.

Given the reverence which Muslims have for their holy places, such a report seems barely credible. But already certain ancient buildings in Mecca, and in Islam’s other holy city, Medina, have met the same fate. The house of Mohammed’s grandson, Ali-Oraid, has already been bulldozed to prevent it from becoming a pilgrimage site.