It is hard to
laud too much the accomplishment of Mecca: The Sacred
City by Ziauddin
Sardar.
Part memoir, mostly a well-written, accessible history, Sardar has written
a book of great scoped and accessibility.
He explores the history of Islam’s most sacred city from its pre-Islamic
roots to its contemporary place in Saudi Arabia. In the process, he does not flinch from
showing both the sublime and the ugly side of this important city.
Like all “holy” cities, there is a considerable gap between the Mecca of
the religious imagination and the actual city.
Sardar’s work really shows how large this gap is, and how harmful it is
to Islam.
Finally, this book answers the call of many people of “where are the
Muslim liberals?” The answer is right
here, in Sardar and his book. Read it and
enjoy this splendid accomplishment.
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