Quote:
Originally Posted by gttx
A 5-star hotel that holds 65,000 pilgrims to Mecca? Talk about whoring out a religious site...
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It's all about being practical. There are lots of people who want comfortable accomodation close-by to the mosque. The supply is in response to demand... simple.
As a Muslim, I don't care if a historical building is destroyed, if they break down the walls surrounding the mosque and leave it as an empty yard surrounded by hotels, or if they illuminate it with purple and pink neon lights.
At the end of the day, I want a bed, air conditioning, a clean bathroom, good food, and to be able to pray all day at the mosque.
Why would a rich country like Saudi Arabia settle for bad facilities for pilgrims?
Anyway, Makkah itself was built on the basis of trade and business made from pilgrims even in the pre-Islamic era. The Ka'ba was used by pagans as well.