Job Discussion Forums

eclectic · Joined: 09 Nov 2006 Posts: 1122

I know Mecca is off-limits, but what about Madina? 007, I am not being facetious, this is a serious question. Thank you.

johnslat · Posted: Sun May 17, 2009 1:52 pm Post subject:

Dear eclectic,
Both cities are off-limits to non-Muslims. I thought this was pretty much a matter of common knowledge, but here's a "wiki" reference, too.

"WARNING: Like Mecca, Medina is strictly off limits to non-Muslims. Since this restriction carries jail time and deportation, travellers would be wise to heed it. Unlike Mecca, however, the inviolate zone extends around the Uhud Mountain in North to Jebel Ayr in South on the road to Makkah - The entire city of Madinah is also part of Haram."

http://wikitravel.org/en/Medina

Regards,
John

eclectic · Joined: 09 Nov 2006 Posts: 1122

Well that is what I expected, but wanted to have someone confirm it who is already there. I tend to think this is more than just a religious policy. It seems a bit political as well. And what, might I surmise, could be the political reasons for this?

007, a non-sarcastic answer would serve this question well. Please.

trapezius · Posted: Sun May 17, 2009 1:57 pm Post subject:

They are both off-limits. This is a question with a factual answer... you could have just looked it up on Wikipedia or Googled it!

P.S. There is a saying of Prophet Muhammad that no two religions can be in the Arabian Peninsula at the same time. So, Gulf Arab countries should actually not allow any non-Muslims at all into their countries. But, we all know that's not possible in today's world. So they keep that command just in the holy cities of Islam.

sheikh radlinrol · Joined: 30 Jan 2007 Posts: 1222 Location: Spain

Why would a non-Muslim want to visit Mo's grave? Confused

johnslat · Posted: Sun May 17, 2009 2:55 pm Post subject:

Dear Sheikh,
Probably for the same reason George Mallory gave:

"Because it's there"

"Those famous words were spoken by British climber George Mallory in 1924 when he was asked why he wanted to climb Mount Everest."

Why did Sir Richard Burton go?

"Sir Richard Francis Burton:
A Pilgrimage to Mecca, 1853

Having resolved to perform the Mecca pilgrimage, I spent a few months at Cairo, and on the 22d of May embarked in a small steamer at Suez with the mahmil, or litter, and its military escort, conveying the kiswah, or covering for the kabah."

Why do non-Communists visit Lenin's mausoleum?

And, last but not least:

"I wonder, wonder, wonder who, who wrote the book of love."

Regards,
John

007

Never Ceased To Be Amazed · Posted: Sun May 17, 2009 3:23 pm Post subject:

One of my biggest regrets in life is being forbidden to visit the Holy Haram, but skirt around its' environs on the "Christian Bypass". Crying or Very sad

And, this is said with all seriousness. My beef isn't with Islam, but with the way it is given a black eye by how it's practiced in Saudi Arabia. Outside the KSA, we are welcomed...inside, we are shunned.

NCTBA

johnslat · Posted: Sun May 17, 2009 3:28 pm Post subject:

Dear NCTBA,
But aren't you the one with rings around Uranus?

"Truly the idolaters are unclean . . ."

Regards,
John

eclectic · Joined: 09 Nov 2006 Posts: 1122

La illah ilAllah, Muhammad RasullAllah.

007 · Posted: Sun May 17, 2009 4:37 pm Post subject:

Ameen.

johnslat · Posted: Sun May 17, 2009 5:04 pm Post subject:

Dear eclectic,

I'm afraid 007 oversimplified a bit with this comment:

"The only condition required for any human being to enter Makkah or Madinah is to say with his lips: �La ilaha illallah Mohammed Rasulullah� .

Until the color of your iqama changes to green (Didn't they used to be white, or is my memory playing me false?) you won't legally get anywhere near Makkah or Medina, no matter how many times you say the Shahada.

Regards,
John

Never Ceased To Be Amazed · Posted: Sun May 17, 2009 5:33 pm Post subject:

007 · Posted: Sun May 17, 2009 6:16 pm Post subject:

Gulezar · Joined: 19 Jun 2007 Posts: 483

Well, the condition required to get green iqama is to say with your lips: �La ilaha illallah Mohammed Rasulullah� . And therefore you will be theologically and legally allowed to enter the two Holly cities. So, for both cases, the Shahada is a mandatory requirement.

Not quite so easy for a woman. She would still need two known witnesses to confirm that she is Muslim before an imam before the Saudi embassy would issue the green booklet to her.