Mecca's removal of Muslim history

Feb 25

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Mecca's removal of Muslim history

Saudis tweet pictures of controversial Grand Mosque construction.

An aerial photograph made available on 24 August, 2011 shows the grand mosque in the holy city of Mecca during the last ten days of Ramadan, Saudi Arabia, 21 August 2011. EPA/SUZAN ESKANDAR

Construction plans to expand the Al-Haram mosque in the holy city of Mecca are underway. The project began in 2011 and will outfit the mosque with air conditioning, electricity, and a new raised walkway around the Kaaba, or the stone structure that Muslims face during prayer.

To make way for the new renovations, parts of the existing space, which include Ottoman-era construction, are being bulldozed over.

View the story "Mecca's removal of Muslim history" on StorifyMecca's removal of Muslim historySaudis tweet pictures of controversial Grand Mosque construction.Storified by The Stream· Mon, Feb 25 2013 10:59:09Instagram user @mamine_m shows the breadth of construction in process at Mecca:So much construction going on in Al-Haram.. More than quarter if the mosque closed.. #makkahinstagram.comCyclingSultan shared this image of the demolation on TwitPic over the weekend.A closer view of the Holy Kaaba. I understand the need to expand but so indiscriminately. No history left.cyclingsultanThe photo below, taken by Al Jazeera English in 2008, shows the Al-Haram mosque before the most recent construction.Al-Haram mosqueAl Jazeera EnglishOn Twitter, Sabiha Ahmad called the expansion a destruction of Muslim history:Demolition job in progress at haram in Mecca. Too late to #savemuslimhistory here,what's next? #turkishPillars http://pic.twitter.com/N8rYQA86Sabiha AhmadThe construction is meant to expand Al-Haram mosque to accommodate the growing number of people who take part in the pilgrimage to the holy city.Mataf Expansion Project ProposalawamiwebcomThe plans, however, have been a contentious issue since the 2011 announcement. This is in part for their demolition of existing architecture.And why is no one talking a out what's going on in Mecca with the destruction of historical Islamic sites?! #savemuslimhistoryRuwa#SaveMuslimHistory don't let Mecca become just another meccaMusa FurberExpansion plans for Mecca also include several hotels surrounding the mosque. Some have criticised the plan for increasing the commercialisation in the holy site. From CyclingSultan:A glimpse of the future today where the haram will be surrounded by the top five star hotels of the world. Sick.cyclingsultanIn the work below, artist Sarah Mohanna Al Abdali shows skyscrapers rising over the ancient architecture of the city. sarahalabdali.blogspot.comIn 2011, The Stream covered the debate surrounding the expansion in Mecca.The Mall of Mecca, or a new era of growth?aljazeeraenglish