folio

I must say this rather bothered me on my recent pilgrimage to Mecca: the construction of a monstrosity that already overshadows the Kaaba, even as its construction continues. When it is finished in three years’ time it will be the world’s seventh largest building – it can already be seen for miles around on the approach to Islam’s holiest site. Either I’m missing something, or the architects are. Could anyone conceive of a shopping mall being constucted 200 metres from the doors of the Abbey on Iona? Could anyone imagine a skyscaper being built next door to Cantebury Cathedral? There are people in the Muslim world who need their heads looking at if they think Mecca is in need of a landmark like this. Wait until you get inside. You’ve guessed it. At the spiritual heart of Islam, just four hundred feet from the Kaaba you will find all those favorites of the British high street: Boots the Chemist, Marks & Spencer, Next, British Home Stores, Accessorise and Starbucks. Thank you very much. The spirituality of our age is telling.

There is an article about this in The New York Times.