Have we not made the earth as a bed and the mountains as its pegs? (78:6-7)
We placed firmly embedded mountains on the earth, so it would not move under them… (21:31)
Jabal Omar after Fajr last Juma’ah. Another magnificent firmly embedded mountain in the process of becoming rubble and dust, for so called progress. Looking somewhat insignificant in this photo with the edge of the Intercontinental on the left and Makkah Firdous, the hotel we were staying in on the right. For two years earth moving equipment, massive lorries and giant drills have been hacking away at this solid rock sculpting out the foundation for the Jabal Omar Project. I have posted this before, but do so again as a revision, a reminder….a reminder that the signs of Qiyamah are falling like the beads of a broken necklace, words to the effect from our Beloved Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam.
Detail of the above, and below is the google image of what remains of this weeping mountain….
….destined to be transformed into a megalopolis greater in area than the Sacred Haram of Makkah, housing the Ka’abah. (the white edge of the courtyard on the left, the rectangular building is the Intercontinental, and the Makkah Firdous across from this)
The following are architectural renderings of the completed project. (JazakiLlahu khairan to Ukhti Farhanah for sharing some of these) Note…the smudgy brown area to the right, inbetween Haram and the Jabal Omar complex is the gigantic seven tower Abraj al-Bait, sitting on what once was another of Makkah’s magnificent mountains.
More pictures here….take a little time to digest the mammoth scale of how Makkah as we may know it now is rapidly morphing into just another 21st century ritzy jungle of steel, concrete and glitz. And here and here to see another projected carve up called Darb al-Khalil, and not to leave Al-Shamiyah out. (more impressions on this area at a later date)
And this….errrr…..this is the planned new Ajyad Hospital….but steady….only seven floors will be the actual hospital….while the major part of the building will be…just what we do not have enough of….more exclusive hotel accommodation and shopping areas! Tut tut tut….this cynical burst is an attempt at smothering the deep grief. AstaghfiruLlah. Ya Allah Ya Lateef.
So time to play….. here is the link to the Wikimapia of Makkah for you to play with to become familiarized with what is where in relation to Haram. A good resource for those planning to be here for Hajj, Insha’Allah.
….back to sanity….and serenity….Umrah yesterday!!!! Click on image for article.
"There is no God save Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala, Allahu Akbar. O Allah, You are Al-Salam and from You is peace. And Your House is the House of Peace. Blessed O You the Owner of Glory and Generosity. O Allah, this is Your House which You have gratified and honoured and glorified, O Allah, endow this House with more glory, honour, dignity and respect, and grant all those who come to it for Hajj or Umrah piety and dignity. O Allah, opne for me the Doors of Your mercy and make me enter Your Jannah and protect me from the accursed Shaitan. Ameen."
"O Allah, send blessings and Peace upon our Master and Patron Muhammad, The Owner of the Crown and the Ascent and the Buraq and the Standard, The Repeller of Affliction and Disease and Drought and Illness and Pain. His name is written on high, served and engraved in the Tablet and the Pen, The Leader of All, Arabs and non-Arabs, Whose body is sanctified, fragrant, and pure, Illumined in the House and the Haram, The Sun of Brightness, the Full Moon in Darkness, The Foremost One in the Highest Fields, the Light of Guidance, The Cave of Refuge for Mortals, the Lamp That Dispels the Night, The Best-Natured One, The Intercessor of Nations, The Owner of Munificence and Generosity. Allah is his Protector, Gabriel is his servant. The Buraq is his mount, the Ascent is his voyage, The Lote-Tree of the Furthermost Boundary is his station, Two Bow-Lengths or Nearer is his desire, His desire is his goal, and he has found his goal, The Master of the Messengers, the Seal of the Prophets, The intercessor of sinners, the friend of the strangers, The Mercy for the Worlds, The rest of those who burn with love, the goal of those who yearn, The sun of knowers, the lamp of travellers, The light of Those Brought Near, The friend of the poor and destitute, The master of Humans and Jinn, The Prophet of the Two Sanctuaries, The Imam of the Two Qiblas, Our Means in the Two Abodes, The Owner of Qaba Qawsayn, The Beloved of the Lord of the Two Easts and the Two Wests, The grandfather of al-Hasan and al-Husayn, Our patron and the patron of Humans and Jinn: Abu al-Qasim MUHAMMAD Son of `Abd Allah, A light from the light of Allah. O you who yearn for the light of his beauty, Send blessings and utmost greetings of peace Upon him and upon his Family." From here.
All good is from Allah Ta’ala whereas mistakes are from this humble speck. May Allah Ta’ala Bless all readers, bringing you all closer to Him and His Rasul SallAllahu alaihi wasallam. May He accept our humble efforts and grant us the capacity to be good and do good. Ameen.
Subhanallah! Next up will be a project for roller coasters around the Ka’aba–or maybe the Ka’aba will be on the 18th green on a new exclusive golf course. Thanks as always for your informative first hand accounts, sister. May Allah keep you close.
Comment by Baba — October 29, 2007 @ 10:22 pm
This is such a bizarre, strange, completely unexpected and shall I say - repulsive? - turning of events. I had no idea… It saddens me greatly.
Comment by pbsweeney — October 30, 2007 @ 6:12 am
Salaam Dearest Sister:
As always, your posts on Mecca are both illuminating, beautiful and quite shocking at the enormity of the changes taking place. Instead of a city dedicated to Allah, it is becoming a city of rich tourists and hajjis, a city of commerce instead of a city of sanctuary. Indeed, barefoot men are removing mountains and building tall buldings.
May Allah bless you and keep you and your family safe and happy. My love goes out to you all across the oceans and the miles.
Ya Haqq!
Comment by Irving — October 30, 2007 @ 6:26 am
Incredible changes that takes spirituality away from the hearts. Those who had the inspiration to walk all the way to Makka in earlier times would die if they see the conditions of their destination, fully corrupted. Can imagin Ibrahim ibn Adham or Ibn Almubarak will reside in Suite 12, 40th floor with a trillion satellite channels in their rooms and not stepping outside their airconditioned building satisfied with seeimg Kaaba from behind their glass windows. May Allah Taala save us from all of these tribulations blinding our vision about real Islam.
Comment by nq — October 30, 2007 @ 7:54 am
Assalamualaikum dear sister, May Allah Ta’ala accept your Umrah and may He Invite you and us all time and time again. Subhanallah the changes are so rapid as well as drastic… what you wrote regarding the Ajyad Hospital and how only 7 floors are actually for the hospital, subhanallah… that in of itself speaks volumes regarding what is ‘important’ in the sight of all these ‘projects’. Khair May The Turner of Hearts turn all our hearts towards Him and Him alone, ameen.
Comment by ikramuddin — October 30, 2007 @ 9:10 pm
Assalamu alaikum,
the way things are madly spiraling into some competitive Dunya overdose in the very places one would expect calm and dignity and restraint, I would not at all be surprised that such things will one day appear, Baba. Already there has been suggestion for a cable car to become an attraction from Jabal Uhud to near Haram! May Allah Ta’ala keep us all close….as we seem to be pulled and distracted more and more from what our noble Haramain really should be for us all. Dear pbsweeney…indeed it is sad…sad on so many levels…one is not having the choice to be able to come for our religious rituals and stay in simple accommodation. The majority have not come for such elaborate surroundings, tempting one every which way you turn…otherwise hundreds of destinations around the world are available. The purpose for being here is our Ibadah in the two most sacred places on the planet…requiring a heart that is focused. Secondly…if the ‘authorites’ had the best interests of the Ummah in mind then simple planning would suffice, thus reducing the exorbitant costs incurred for grabbing back as much investment as possible with all these extravagant projects. Plus, I fail to see why the Ummah as a collective has no say in what developments are approved.
Dear Irving Darvish…yes, the sanctity is being eroded away with the mountains….may we turn to the only weapon we have and make fervent Du’a for our glorious heritage. Ameen to your warm wishes…the same sent flying back to you and yours:)
Ameen thumma Ameen nq….what is amazing is that fatwas have been made that Salat is accepted while ensconced in these glitzy mausoleums, and in the courtyards to be, even though separated by walls and elevators and terraced gardens…Ajeeb!
Ya Allah Ta’ala, turn our hearts, wrestle our souls from being attracted to all this as you say Dear Brother Ikramuddin. I feel the ‘important’ aspects have been sold out to a competitive arrogant display, and unfortunately there seems no turning back, meaning the ones who care about this are being tested about the Truth, about what is the purpose beyond all the gold and glitter….
“And keep yourself (O Muhammad) patiently with those who call on their Lord morning and afternoon, seeking His Face, and let not your eyes overlook them, desiring the pomp and glitter of the life of the world; and obey not him whose heart We have made heedless of Our Remembrance, one who follows his own lusts and whose affair has been lost.” (18:28)
Wassalamu alaikum
almiskeenah
Comment by almiskeenah — October 30, 2007 @ 10:36 pm
Salaams dear Sister,
Truly as you said:
“…..a reminder that the signs of Qiyamah are falling like the beads of a broken necklace, words to the effect from our Beloved Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam.”
Even though Haj is Obligatory, how much more difficult are they making it for a common man to afford it?………its heart-breaking to know.
For some, its a multi-zillion dollar gain………but alas, they are so poor! May Allah turn their hearts towards goodness. Ameen
May Allah guide us all. Ameen
Jazaak Allah for sharing your wisdom and insight. May Allah accept your Umrah and duaaen. Ameen. Please do pray that i can also get an opportunity to do Haj, inshaAllah, soon.
seema
Comment by sf — October 31, 2007 @ 4:28 am
Assalamu alaikum Dear Sister Seema, Ameen thumma Ameen to you Du’a, and Insha’Allah you will soon be crying Labaik!!! Ameen. I often advice people to write to their local Hajj committee and/or Saudi Embassy as there are various schemes available in different countries, and dependent on certain circumstances where you can be given a Hajj package. I also feel that writing letters to newspapers, etc outlining the difficulties, especially the financial one, imposed on the Ummah regarding entry to our Sacred Lands is effective, Insha’Allah, along with ardent, tearful Du’a in the dark of the night….I was reading today that 700,000 applied for Hajj visas in Turkey this year…for 70,000 places!!!
Wassalamu alaikum
almiskeenah
Comment by almiskeenah — October 31, 2007 @ 9:30 pm