Muslims have to pray towards Mecca. That would be the most direct way to Mecca.
On the exact other side of Mecca, there is a town, I forgot which one though. Anyways, Muslims there may face any direction. Any other place, its across the surface in the most direct line. Astronauts pray in the direction of Earth.
As it stands now, it is against the law for a non-Muslim to enter the cities of Mecca and Medina. Are there any Muslims out there who think this should be changed?
its too hot and i wouldnt want to go there
Tematagi Island in French Polynesia is near the exact opposite side of the planet (antipodes) from Mecca. What direction would a Muslim face during prayers?
Logically, straight down is the shortest route, but horizontally either direction would be about the same.
If they were on a boat they could be at a spot where any horizontal direction would be the exact same distance.
They would face West/Northwest
What would happen to the Islamic faith of a giant earthquake or some natural disaster destroyed Mecca? I’m not saying I want to this happen, but I’m curious as to what it would lead to. Since it is one of the pillars of their faith to make a Pilgrimage to Mecca in their lifetime, what would Muslims do if they could no longer go there because it didn’t exist anymore? Part of the reason I ask is that although 2012 will not be the end of the world, we are expected to get a lot of earthquakes. Many geologists all agree about that.
I have not heard of any geologists saying that 2012 will have any more seismic activity than usual, just religious doom-sayers.
Sweden has a population of around 9 million. The United States has a population of 330 million. Isn’t it MUCH easier to subsidize 9 million people than it is to subsidize 330 million?
Not to mention there are exorbitant taxes payed to subsidize just 9 million people. Why don’t liberals understand that the cost will be incurred somewhere?
Exactly. Some of them are actually thanking you for disproving the heath care viability lol, even after seeing the numbers, they still don’t get it, unbelievable isn’t it?
I am asking because of the controversy over a mosque planned to be built near Ground Zero in New York City.
If it would be good for Americans to reach out to Muslims, would it also be good for Saudi Arabians (or any other Muslims) to reach out to Christians and Jews? What steps have Muslims taken to improve their reputation with respect to these groups?
I am asking the question because there seems to be "outreach" from the West towards the Muslim community. I am wondering if the opposite is also the case.
Saudi Arabia forbids the practice of any other religion than Islam on it’s soil. Furthermore, no building is permitted for any other religious group. It is also forbidden to drink alcohol or even have to have it in your home. It is also forbidden to consume any meat from the pig. I know this from the fact that I was based in Saudi Arabia for over 2 years in the 1980’s and it has not changed a bit since then.
Why don’t we just issue an ultimatum to produce Bin Laden and all others involved in 9/11 and stop attacking us or we will turn Mecca into one giant pile of sand! We are America, and they can no longer Mess with us!
Agree?
How awesome would that be.
It’s too bad that we haven’t had a leader in a LONG time that has the sack to do that.
Unless they live in or very close to Mecca, aren’t they just praying towards space?
My answer to your question is hidden in this question:
"How can airplanes fly from one city to the other when the Earth is round?"
It is simply a matter of directions, irrespective of the fact that earth is not straight and also that the earth is continuously in motion.
Moreover, facing towards Mecca (or precisely towards Ka’ba) DOES NOT mean that Muslims worship (or bow to) Ka’ba or Mecca… it is merely a symbol of unity!
Our History Class had a small discussion about Mecca and how the only way to get into Mecca is to be Muslim. So, what if Osama Bin Laden was hiding in Mecca? The United States Army couldn’t go in and capture him… If they did (assuming it was unauthorized, unless every soldier going in is Muslim) wouldn’t hell break loose?
Discuss.
Umm the Saudi Monarchy has money on his head too. Osama threatened the monarch directly and was exiled along with the other bin Laden’s that did not formally disown him. He might make into the outskirts of Saudi Arabia but no way would he make into a large city. Furthermore if he was found in Saudi Arabia that would be a good thing because the Saudi’s would dispense justice on him and they don’t have nearly as many rules to follow as we do and could careless what the UN has to say. He would be interrogated, tortured, and killed within days of capture if we find him he gets a trail and a humane dignified death.
Someone told me lots of people die from exhaustion at Mecca because of the heat and crowds…
How many people have died visiting the big black stone?
that’s no stone,its their idol…worshiping a rock…