I am a Jew.Can I go to Mecca?
Let's find out.
I called the Saudi Arabian Consulates General office in Los Angeles (310-479-6000) and tried to ask them if I could come to Mecca as a Jewish tourist.
And when I say tried to ask them I mean that I am not at all certain that I was entirely successful in this minor endeavor.
The first nice lady who I spoke with recommended that I speak with the Visa Office.
That office recommended that I speak with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
I asked people for their names, but they said that they were not allowed to give out that information, and I certainly cannot blame them for that.
But, I want to see Mecca.
I do.
And I want to know more about official Muslim-Saudi restrictions on Jews in the Holy City and the country as a whole.
Is that wrong?
And am I racist for wondering how it is that a Jew cannot even visit land where Jews lived for millenia prior to the rise of Islam?
Let's find out, shall we?
.
By the way, I do not often read Maureen Dowd of the New York Times but in her article concerning Mecca in 2010 she writes this terrific line:
Couldn’t Mecca, I asked the royals, be opened to non-Muslims during the off-season?:O)
Actually, now that I think on it, that could easily have been a line coming from the ample mouth of the late, great Joan Rivers.
NO! Infidel dog!
ReplyDelete(no offense, just channeling my inner Muslim)
I see what you did there.
ReplyDeleteAnd I approve.
;)
Some impressive architecture there, imo, especially Abraj Al-Bait (why can't we build nice looking things like this anymore, instead of 'modernist' bullshit apparently inspired by cheese graters, or rubik's-cubes-as-viewed-through-Frank Gehry's-1960s-acid-trips?) but even if I was allowed to visit I wouldn't want to.
If I wanted to be surrounded by violent, screeching bigots, I'd just go back to Daily Kos.
I don't know, but it was Malcolm X's experience of the Hajj which encouraged him to give up racism.
DeleteYes. In Hajj he saw every race and colour was nice and helpful to one another. As a Muslim there is no race or etnicity. Muslims are all equal no race no colour no etnicity.
DeleteAnonymous, Muslim voices are welcome here.
DeleteI don't care if your a Hindu, a Sikh or a member of the church of Elvis non Muslims are not allowed to visit Mecca.
ReplyDeleteY'know, Jay, I am not sure that all racisms are the same.
DeleteConsider this, my friend.
In the United States racism is de facto rather than de jeur, that is, it is a matter of individual prejudice rather than a matter of law.
In Saudi Arabia racism is a matter of established law and it is not the mild form of racism that we encounter in the US, but the extreme kind that will not even allow other peoples to enter a particular city or to own land within the realm.
This is racism that is total and that is entirely excused by those who claim to believe in universal human rights.
And don't even get me started on contemporary Middle Eastern and African theocratically-based slavery, yet these white Euro progressive hypocrites still harp on the Jews.
Reply is below. Blogger wouldn't let me put it where it should have gone, but NOW it's allowing me to reply here. Go figure...
DeleteAnd Barack Obama bowed his head.
DeleteGee, I don't know, but am I sensing a double-standard here, Trudy?
ReplyDeleteHeck, if it is good enough for Saudi Arabia and the rest of the world does not mind, than the Jews should definitely close of Jerusalem to all non-Jews.
What do you think?
Surely no one can complain because, as the cliche goes, what's good for the goose is good for the gander... no?
In 2004 the Saudi government said point blank Jews would not be allowed into the country. Then there was a public outcry and they withdrew that statement but never modified it. Then as recently as 2011 Delta Airlines said they had to 'respect' Saudi regulations and banned Jews flying from the the US to the KSA. Again, there was a backlash and Delta simply flying the routes. The Saudis are still mum on the point but I suspect permission is on a day by day basis depending on how they feel that day.
ReplyDeleteTo be fair though an unmarried couple CAN NOT travel in the KSA together. IF she is unmarried then she MUST be accompanied by a male family member.
All events and locales are gender separated including all beaches and poolsides.
No pork no alcohol no drugs in the entire country
You can NOT bring in any religious books, jewelery or other articles if they are non Muslim
Women AND men are subject to modesty dress laws which are immediately enforced by morality police.
Women tourists can NOT drive
A couple where the man is Muslim and the woman is not is not considered married in the KSA and so the woman must be treated as a single woman (see above)
Public or private non Muslim religious practice or prayer are crimes, possibly capital crimes depending on the circumstances
Violation of these regulations is subject to immediate flogging up to 25 lashes, in public, immediately, w/o trial as well as prison, again w/o trial (because there's no need under Wahhabist sharia to consider the statements or pleas of any woman or infidel)
You passport must be valid for at least the next 6 months upon entry
Clearly this is Israel's fault.
ReplyDeleteSaudi-washing!
ReplyDeleteAgreed. I didn't so much mean to imply that all are the same, but rather to state that there is nothing 'anti-racist' about racism practiced by those who get a pass from certain 'progressives.' And those who give that pass are engaging in racism, as well.
ReplyDeleteDon't forget the hundreds of thousands of South Asians who are subjected to slavery in places like Dubai today, as well.
As long as Israel doesn't allow Jews to pray at their own holiest site and restricts their visitation there, I hardly see how Saudi Arabia can be expected to act more openly and inclusively.
ReplyDeleteI honestly do not know what to make of your comment.
DeleteOn one hand, you are right. If Israel does not have the self-respect to maintain sovereignty over its own holiest place within the land that Jews come from than why should we expect the Arab-Muslim world to show any respect.
“Put your hands up and cheer for yourselves.You are strong, you are brave, you are confident, and I f*cking love you, Israel.” ...Lady Gaga
ReplyDeletehttp://www.timesofisrael.com/lady-gaga-we-fcking-love-you-too/
Also, truth-washing!
ReplyDeleteClick the below link!
ReplyDeleteTruth About Islam
Quran And Science
Muslims Are Not Terrorists
Allahu Akbar
DeleteBack atcha, basha bay bee:
ReplyDeleteHugh Fitzgerald: A Few Thoughts on Muslims in the West
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