Re: Defacing Mecca
Its seems that everything that doesnt make sense to you is hyperbole.
If your iman is so weak that you cant look at a woman without thinking of Shirk, then the problem isnt with women, its with your Iman. Yet, in Islam we separate men and women at every instance. Women must cover their hair, or wear a complete burqa.
A bar, with all the liquor in the world may be tempting, but the problem isnt with the bar, its with your weak Iman. Yet in Pakistan, we have banned Alcohol! I doubt you would support a law making liguor legal again?
It odd that Muslims insist of separating themselves from Shirk at every opprtunity, yet in this case you say we should embrace it?
Now the Shirk of this Big Ben replica is in the fact that its a distraction from your prayer. Just like women are a distraction, as is alcohol, as are a number of other things that Muslims avoid due to the potential for Shirk. The problem isnt that its a big ben replica, its that its too massive, it dwarves the Kabba, and its really in bad taste. Islam is about being humble, about modesty. Yet this massive building is nothing more then a testament to the self-indulgent ego of the Saudis.
Now im not against big buildings, and on some level I agree that your iman should be stronger then temptation, but this particular project really is way to big, to overwhelming, and uneccesary. It says more of Saudi extravagance then should be permited.