The governor of Mecca makes the preposterous and contradictory claim that his city has a continuing role in “promoting tolerance and dialogue between various cultures.” From the Arab News:
Prince Abdul Majeed made the remarks while inaugurating celebrations to mark Makkah as the Islamic cultural capital of 2005. He urged intellectuals and scholars all over the Islamic world to combat deviant thoughts and oppose all types of terrorism, which is totally against the spirit of Islam and its lofty goals.
Loftiness as in a higher spiritual plane or one of Islamic supremacy on this lowly terrestrial sphere?
The governor reminded scholars and intellectuals of their great responsibility saying they have to lighten the way of people keeping up with modern developments.
He also emphasized the role of educated women in bringing up future generations on the basis of pure Islamic teachings.
Culture and Information Minister Iyad Madani said Makkah has been the center of culture and civilization since time immemorial. Scholars from different parts of the world came to the city and enlightened the world through their knowledge.
How is this possible when the Arab Human Development Report, written by Arabs, admits that the Arab world lags behind Latin American and Southeast Asia?
Minister Madani continues with the following statement,
“These scholars promoted tolerance by reaching out to non-Muslims.”
The contradiction of this Meccan claim of “tolerance and dialogue” is illustrated here by a previous Arab News article. Concerning the prevention of non-Muslims from entering Mecca, the article states:
“That Islam is tolerant is beyond doubt. But tolerance and kind treatment of the followers of other faiths does not mean contravening the rules of our religion. The question of prohibiting entry of non-Muslims into Makkah and Madinah is not one on which personal points of view can be voiced. It is a religious matter legislated by God. It is He who says: “Believers, know that the idolaters are certainly impure. So, let them not come near to the Sacred Mosque after this year is ended.” (9: 28)”
Well, that settles that…