MECCA | Abraj Al-Bait | 601m | 1972ft | 95 fl | T/O

[JDRCRASH]

Looks more like a fortress than a city.....

[shakman]

Originally Posted by jaga185

Yes, only Muslims are allowed into Mecca, but its the King's decision not a religious one.

BTW, that plan is awesome. I like it, it would allow pilgrims easier access to the mosque. Unfortunately, it does look a little awkward, wish they would make the buildings look a little less generic.

As a Muslim, I say who cares what the "king" says. It is what God says that matters.

Yes non-Muslims are allowed in Mecca and Medina.

[jaga185]

Really?! I didn't know that non-muslims were allowed, I've always heard different that's exciting to know.

[Yume-sama]

Everything I can find says the opposite.

WARNING: Non-Muslims are strictly prohibited from entering the holy city of Mecca. The penalty is deportation from the country. Documentation will be checked upon entry and anyone not showing proof of being Muslim will be denied entry. As a solitary exception, the Mecca bus terminal (outside city limits) is open to all.
http://wikitravel.org/en/Mecca

[lukeit]

so it's orrible.. but can contains many people.

[shakman]

Originally Posted by Yume-sama

Everything I can find says the opposite.

WARNING: Non-Muslims are strictly prohibited from entering the holy city of Mecca. The penalty is deportation from the country. Documentation will be checked upon entry and anyone not showing proof of being Muslim will be denied entry. As a solitary exception, the Mecca bus terminal (outside city limits) is open to all.
http://wikitravel.org/en/Mecca

Like I said previously, who cares what the "king" says upon entry into Mecca.

[simms3_redux]

Originally Posted by photolitherland

All you have to do is tell them youre a muslim. They cant prove you arent one. Its really easy to get into Mecca. Just buy some of the traditional muslim garb and you will be golden. Just dont say anything about other religions and nobody will ask any questions.

Isnt that lovely, the peaceful religion of Islam only wants other peaceful Muslims in their cities, and following Islamic law. Let's be honest with ourselves, this proposal, sucks, is ugly, looks like a commune, is in a Muslim city where only Muslims are allowed, is funded with oil money which is nothing more than money for Islamic expansion and power, and should not be praised or glorified.

[mthq]

I don't understand -- how would officials in Mecca know if you're Muslim or not? For starters, I think I can get away with being Muslim based on physical appearance. What else do I need?

btw welcome back Shakman. We haven't seen you in ages.

[M.K.]

That Domino city makes me loving it this another planet civilization... Make me feel Alliens really arrived.

[PhxPavilion]

Originally Posted by simms3

Isnt that lovely, the peaceful religion of Islam only wants other peaceful Muslims in their cities, and following Islamic law. Let's be honest with ourselves, this proposal, sucks, is ugly, looks like a commune, is in a Muslim city where only Muslims are allowed, is funded with oil money which is nothing more than money for Islamic expansion and power, and should not be praised or glorified.

Agreed.

[leftopolis]

Originally Posted by mthq

I don't understand -- how would officials in Mecca know if you're Muslim or not? For starters, I think I can get away with being Muslim based on physical appearance. What else do I need?

...The secret handshake! In all seriousness, if somebody is trying to pass as Muslim in Mecca, they should be aware of two things:

1) You are breaking the law--one which was not decreed by the religion, but by the ruler of that country. Saudi Arabia is not the best place in the world for a foreigner to "get busted" for breaking the law.

2) Any non-Muslim attempting this, would be incredibly naive to not spend weeks or even months--researching the nuances and details of the religion...in order to be passable.

Personally, I'll settle for relying on our Muslim friends for pictures(as long as they got the permit!) and updates of this project--hint, hint--it's been a while! Maligned by many others on this thread, I'm in the camp that finds this an intriguing, impressive structure.

[mainstreet]

It's well documented that non-Muslims aren't allowed inside Mecca.

Non-Muslims are not permitted to enter Mecca by Saudi law.[3] [44]

Many religious scholars say this "discrimination" exists because Mecca was once a city where Muslims - including the prophet Mohammed - were persecuted and driven out. When Mohammed and his followers reclaimed the city, it was declared a sanctuary ... a place where every Muslim should feel safe. [citation needed]

Those who use fake certificates of Muslim identity (to enter) may be arrested and prosecuted by Saudi authorities[45]

The Saudi government uses the following verse as a Qur’an confirmation for this law, however there are other interpretations to this verse (in particular, People of the Book would usually not be regarded as pagans)[46]):

"O ye who believe! Truly the Pagans are unpure; so let them not, after this year of theirs, approach the Sacred Mosque. And if ye fear poverty, soon will God enrich you, if He wills, out of His bounty, for God is All-knowing, All-wise." -- Qur’an, 9:28

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mecca#E...or_Non-Muslims

[jaga185]

leftopolis brought up a good point, are there any new pictures of this building?

[TANGELD_SLC]

I want UPDATES!
Pretty please.
for this infidel

[1ajs]

Originally Posted by mainstreet

It's well documented that non-Muslims aren't allowed inside Mecca.



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mecca#E...or_Non-Muslims

what in the?


thinking about it its problynot a bad idea concerdering millions of people make the pilgrimage every year it makes it that much esayer to controll the croweds... i have muslim friends that have gone even one that used to volinteer helping controll the crowds back in the 60's-70's befor they got organized on getting people in and out... actualy he was one of the ones the started a system to help get people in and out with ease

anyhow we need an update!!

[TallMark]

Originally Posted by Yasir

Sorry about the random framing but I took these with an iPhoney.

Yasser, where did your photos go??!! I am dying to see them! Please re-post. They are not visible anymore

[TallMark]

Originally Posted by mainstreet

It's well documented that non-Muslims aren't allowed inside Mecca.



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mecca#E...or_Non-Muslims

Yes, but Christians and Jews are not "pagans." Along with the Muslims (and the Sabbians and the Magi), they form a single nation and creed. They are referred to in the Koran, as the "People of the Book." So, forbidding Christians and Jews coming to Mecca is an innuendo ("Bid'a") not an Islamic edict.

[JManc]

what if you convert to islam? quite a few african-americans are muslim converts.

[leftopolis]

From a post over at Skyscrapercity, dated 1/04/09, by Saudi guy...Thanks, Saudi guy!

[Patrick]

Originally Posted by ThreeHundred

Erm..there are plans for a HUGE expansion.



Yeah..it looks like dominoes. And crap.

Wowww.