GRAND MUFTI DEFENDS DEMOLITION OF HOLY SITES IN MECCA

Riyadh, 13 Jumadil Akhir 1434/22 April 2013 (MINA) – Saudi Arabia’s Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdul Aziz Bin Abdullah al-Sheikh has defended Riyadh’s demolition of early Islamic heritage sites in the holy city of Mecca, Press TV quoted by Mi’raj News Agency (MINA) as reporting on Sunday.

The kingdom’s highest religious authority has recently said there is nothing wrong with the demolition of holy sites at the Masjid al-Haram (the Grand Mosque) in Mecca. He even went much further and described the demolitions as necessary.

The cleric also stressed that the nation should thank the government over the demolitions since the move aims at increasing the capacity of Masjid al-Haram, therefore it is legitimate.

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Saudi regime enjoys full US support and its ruling system is an exact copy of the British monarchial system. Britain also has been the founder of monarchy in the Arabian Peninsula.

According to photographs taken by activists, some holy sites, associated with Ottoman and Abbasid eras, on the eastern side of the Masjid al-Haram have recently been destroyed under a development plan implemented by Osama bin Laden’s family business.

The Masjid al-Haram is the holiest Islamic site and houses Kaaba, the point to which all Muslims face when praying.

The segments under demolition are the last remaining parts of the mosque, dating back to more than a few hundred years ago.

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One column which has reportedly been razed marks the spot where Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) started his heavenly journey or Me’raj (Night Ascension) to al-Quds (Jerusalem) and to the Heaven in a single night.

Many of the Ottoman and Abbasid columns at the Masjid al-Haram contain Arabic calligraphy marking the names of the Prophet’s companions and remarkable moments in his life. (T/P01/E1).

Mi’raj News Agency (MINA)