Friday, May 08, 2009
Saudi authorities contradict U.S. Park Service: mihrabs do NOT have to point exactly at Mecca
A Muslim consultant told the Park Service in 2006 that the Crescent of Embrace memorial to Flight 93 cannot be seen as a mihrab (the Mecca-direction indicator around which every mosque is built), because the giant Islamic-shaped crescent does not point exactly at Mecca:
The necessity for such a rule is obvious. Throughout most of Islam’s 1400 year history, Muslims who were any significant distance from Mecca had no accurate way to determine the direction to Mecca. Thus it became established religious principle that what matters is intent. It is the mind of the believer that needs to face directly towards the Kaaba, and directly towards God. This principle applies in Mecca the same as anywhere else.
All the great mosques of the ancient world point well away from Mecca
Older mosques often point 10, 20, 30 or more degrees away from Mecca. The most famous mihrab in the world, the mihrab of the Great Mosque in Cordoba Spain, points more than 45° off of Mecca:
The Cordoba mihrab points south, while Mecca is east-southeast of Spain.
In contrast, the Crescent of Embrace points a mere 1.8° north of Mecca, ± 0.1°, which is highly accurate by Islamic standards.
The Muslim consultant who lied to the Park Service was a classmate of architect Paul Murdoch
Who told the Park Service that a mihrab has to point exactly at Mecca to be legitimate? It was Nasser Rabbat, a professor of Islamic architecture at MIT and an expert in the history of mosque design. No one knows better than Professor Rabbat that mihrab orientation does NOT have to be exact.
There is only one reason why Rabbat would lie to the Park Service about such a basic fact. He recognizes that the giant Mecca-oriented crescent at the heart of the Flight 93 memorial IS a legitimate mihrab, and he wants this al Qaeda sympathizing plot to succeed.
A look at Rabbat's background shows that he was a classmate of Crescent of Embrace architect Paul Murdoch, both getting masters degrees in architecture from UCLA in 1984 and both doing their masters work on Middle Easter subjects. (Murdoch wrote a “masters project” titled: “A museum for Haifa, Israel.” Rabbat wrote a master thesis on house design in Cairo and Damascus.)
This prior connection between Murdoch and Rabbat raises the possibility that Murdoch himself was able to orchestrate the Park Service investigation into warnings about his own design. By the same token, having the two classmates both show up in the Flight 93 memorial raises the possibility that Rabbat was Murdoch's source of expertise on how to incorporate the full complement of typical mosque features into his Crescent design. (For the dozen typical mosque features, see Crescent of Embrace, chapter 5.)
The Crescent of Embrace also includes an exact Mecca-orientation
While exact orientation on Mecca is not a traditional requirement, modern mosque designers do generally employ now-available techniques for orienting their mihrabs more precisely on Mecca than was previously possible. Murdoch satisfies this modern norm (and provides hidden proof of intent) by including a true thematically-defined crescent that does point exactly at Mecca.
Murdoch's thematic explanation for his crescent design is that the circle was broken on 9/11 by the path of Flight 93. The terrorist-piloted airplane smashes our peaceful circle, turning it into a giant Islamic-shaped crescent (that just happens to point to Mecca). The terrorist-memorializing implications of this theme are hardly less overt than the Islamic symbol shapes themselves. Nothing particularly subtle here folks.
The symbolic breaking of the circle occurs at the upper crescent tip, where the fifty-foot tall, thousand-foot long Entry Portal Wall is parted by the Entry Portal Walkway, which follows the flight path through the wall:
The section of wall to the right of the walkway in this image is symbolically "broken off" by the flight path. Remove this symbolically broken off part, and the remaining crescent structure points EXACTLY at Mecca, ± 0.1°:
What symbolically remains standing in the wake of 9/11: a giant Islamic-shaped crescent pointing EXACTLY at Mecca.
Rabbat knew about this too, since the original report that Rabbat was commenting on detailed both the slightly inexact Mecca-orientation of the full Crescent of Embrace, and the exact-Mecca-orientation that results when the symbolically broken-off parts are removed. Same for the Park Service. As the original recipient of Alec Rawls' report, the Park Service knew about both orientations. They also knew, because it was also in the original report, that a mihrab does NOT have to point exactly at Mecca. Yet they still publicly touted Rabbat’s claim that the crescent can’t be seen as a mihrab because it doesn’t point exactly at Mecca. A veritable web of self-conscious lies by Rabbat AND the Park Service.
The design is called a broken circle now, but the circle is still broken in the same place as before (where the flight path crosses the upper crescent tip). The unbroken part of the circle, what is symbolically left standing in the wake of 9/11, remains completely unchanged. It is still a giant-Islamic shaped crescent, still pointing exactly at Mecca.
Mihrab orientation is either correct or not. It cannot be off by some degrees.Saudi religious authorities recently had to address this question when observers noted that some 200 mosques in Mecca itself do not point directly at the Kaaba (the “Sacred Mosque” that all Muslims are supposed to face for prayer). Meccans who worried that their prayers might not count were assured by the Islamic Affairs Ministry that “it does not affect the prayers.”
The necessity for such a rule is obvious. Throughout most of Islam’s 1400 year history, Muslims who were any significant distance from Mecca had no accurate way to determine the direction to Mecca. Thus it became established religious principle that what matters is intent. It is the mind of the believer that needs to face directly towards the Kaaba, and directly towards God. This principle applies in Mecca the same as anywhere else.
All the great mosques of the ancient world point well away from Mecca
Older mosques often point 10, 20, 30 or more degrees away from Mecca. The most famous mihrab in the world, the mihrab of the Great Mosque in Cordoba Spain, points more than 45° off of Mecca:
The Cordoba mihrab points south, while Mecca is east-southeast of Spain.
In contrast, the Crescent of Embrace points a mere 1.8° north of Mecca, ± 0.1°, which is highly accurate by Islamic standards.
The Muslim consultant who lied to the Park Service was a classmate of architect Paul Murdoch
Who told the Park Service that a mihrab has to point exactly at Mecca to be legitimate? It was Nasser Rabbat, a professor of Islamic architecture at MIT and an expert in the history of mosque design. No one knows better than Professor Rabbat that mihrab orientation does NOT have to be exact.
There is only one reason why Rabbat would lie to the Park Service about such a basic fact. He recognizes that the giant Mecca-oriented crescent at the heart of the Flight 93 memorial IS a legitimate mihrab, and he wants this al Qaeda sympathizing plot to succeed.
A look at Rabbat's background shows that he was a classmate of Crescent of Embrace architect Paul Murdoch, both getting masters degrees in architecture from UCLA in 1984 and both doing their masters work on Middle Easter subjects. (Murdoch wrote a “masters project” titled: “A museum for Haifa, Israel.” Rabbat wrote a master thesis on house design in Cairo and Damascus.)
This prior connection between Murdoch and Rabbat raises the possibility that Murdoch himself was able to orchestrate the Park Service investigation into warnings about his own design. By the same token, having the two classmates both show up in the Flight 93 memorial raises the possibility that Rabbat was Murdoch's source of expertise on how to incorporate the full complement of typical mosque features into his Crescent design. (For the dozen typical mosque features, see Crescent of Embrace, chapter 5.)
The Crescent of Embrace also includes an exact Mecca-orientation
While exact orientation on Mecca is not a traditional requirement, modern mosque designers do generally employ now-available techniques for orienting their mihrabs more precisely on Mecca than was previously possible. Murdoch satisfies this modern norm (and provides hidden proof of intent) by including a true thematically-defined crescent that does point exactly at Mecca.
Murdoch's thematic explanation for his crescent design is that the circle was broken on 9/11 by the path of Flight 93. The terrorist-piloted airplane smashes our peaceful circle, turning it into a giant Islamic-shaped crescent (that just happens to point to Mecca). The terrorist-memorializing implications of this theme are hardly less overt than the Islamic symbol shapes themselves. Nothing particularly subtle here folks.
The symbolic breaking of the circle occurs at the upper crescent tip, where the fifty-foot tall, thousand-foot long Entry Portal Wall is parted by the Entry Portal Walkway, which follows the flight path through the wall:
The section of wall to the right of the walkway in this image is symbolically "broken off" by the flight path. Remove this symbolically broken off part, and the remaining crescent structure points EXACTLY at Mecca, ± 0.1°:
What symbolically remains standing in the wake of 9/11: a giant Islamic-shaped crescent pointing EXACTLY at Mecca.
Rabbat knew about this too, since the original report that Rabbat was commenting on detailed both the slightly inexact Mecca-orientation of the full Crescent of Embrace, and the exact-Mecca-orientation that results when the symbolically broken-off parts are removed. Same for the Park Service. As the original recipient of Alec Rawls' report, the Park Service knew about both orientations. They also knew, because it was also in the original report, that a mihrab does NOT have to point exactly at Mecca. Yet they still publicly touted Rabbat’s claim that the crescent can’t be seen as a mihrab because it doesn’t point exactly at Mecca. A veritable web of self-conscious lies by Rabbat AND the Park Service.
The design is called a broken circle now, but the circle is still broken in the same place as before (where the flight path crosses the upper crescent tip). The unbroken part of the circle, what is symbolically left standing in the wake of 9/11, remains completely unchanged. It is still a giant-Islamic shaped crescent, still pointing exactly at Mecca.
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Tried to send you an email and it came back undeliverable for some reason. The code you send out to the blogbursters didn't work for me and I had to take it down. Problems with photobucket and other issues -
This book seems to confirm that the qibla direction from North America is indeed northeast:
http://www.amazon.com/Port-Storm-Solution-Qibla-America/dp/9957230042
http://www.amazon.com/Port-Storm-Solution-Qibla-America/dp/9957230042
Excerpts from Sunday [May 10] Editorial in the Johnstown Tribune Democrat =>
DESPICABLE ACT - WE OPPOSE ANY ACTION BY THE GOVERNMENT OTHER THAN . . . .
WE WOULD URGE ALL THE LANDOWNERS TO FIGHT THE PLANNED TAKEOVERS VIGOROUSLY IN ANY AVAILABLE LEGAL CHANNEL - UP TO AND INCLUDING THE U.S. SUPREME COURT.
PROPERTY OWNER TIM LAMBERT TOLD THE ASSOCIATED PRESS THAT HE WAS "SHOCKED" AND "DISAPPOINTED" TO LEARN THAT BIG BROTHER WAS COMING AFTER THE 164 ACRES HIS GRANDFATHER PURCHASED SOME 80 YEARS AGO.
RANDALL MUSSER, ANOTHER PROPERTY OWNER, SAID LANDOWNERS WERE PROMISED SEVEN YEARS AGO THAT EMINENT DOMAIN WOULD NOT BE EMPLOYED. . . . . "BUT WHAT'S SAD IS THEY HAD ALL THESE YEARS TO PUT THIS TOGETHER AND THEY HAVEN'T."
SUCH THREAT OF ACTION IS INDICATIVE OF A POWER-HUNGRY GOVERNMENT AGENCY RUN AMOK.
THE PARK SERVICE'S WILLINGNESS TO USE SUCH MEANS IS APPALLING.
WE'D RATHER SEE NO PERMANENT MEMORIAL BUILT THAN HAVE THE GOVERNMENT USE SUCH DEVIOUS MEANS TO MOVE THE PROJECT FORWARD.
THAT'S A SHAME! SO YOU JUST BULLY THE PROPERTY OWNERS TO GET WHAT YOU WANT? THAT'S THE INTENT OF THE PARK SERVICE, APPARENTLY.
WHAT RUBBISH!
A JUDGE WITH A CONSCIENCE AND BACKBONE SHOULD INTERVENE IN THIS MATTER AND TELL THE PARK SERVICE TO BACK OFF.
THIS IS A CLEAR CASE OF GOVERNMENT TRAMPLING ON THE RIGHTS OF CITIZENS TO GET WHAT IT WANTS.
WE CAN'T ALLOW THAT TO HAPPEN - EVEN FOR A PROJECT AS WORTHWHILE AS THE FLIGHT 93 MEMORIAL.
here is the whole editorial, the strongest words I've seen
The Tribune-Democrat Published: May 08, 2009 08:36 am
DESPICABLE ACT BY PARK SERVICE INVOKES EMINENT DOMAIN FOR FLIGHT 93 MEMORIAL
Just when it appeared that controversy was no longer dogging the Flight 93 Memorial project, we learned that the federal government plans to take land from private property owners who have not yet signed sales agreements.
Seven property owners with a combined 500 acres are targeted by the U.S. Park Service, which is attempting to complete acquisitions for a total of 2,200 acres for a permanent crash memorial.
We oppose any action by the government other than negotiating fair prices with these property owners.
And we would urge all the landowners to fight the planned takeovers vigorously in any available legal channel - up to and including the U.S. Supreme Court.
The park service plans to condemn land parcels and secure rights to them through eminent domain, rather than continue with negotiations.
Property owner Tim Lambert told The Associated Press that he was "shocked" and "disappointed" to learn that big brother was coming after the 164 acres his grandfather purchased some 80 years ago.
Lambert said owners of these smaller parcels were never told there was a firm deadline for negotiations.
Randall Musser, another property owner, said landowners were promised seven years ago that eminent domain would not be employed by the government. Musser has 62 acres that the park service is after. "(The park service) apologized about the way it's come together," Musser told the AP, "but what's sad is they had all these years to put this together and they haven't."
Such threat of action is indicative of a power-hungry government agency run amok.
The park service's willingness to use such means is appalling.
United Flight 93 crashed near Shanksville on Sept. 11, 2001 - shortly after terrorists had flown planes into the World Trade Center towers in New York and the Pentagon in Arlington, Va.
The tragic events of that day claimed the lives of 40 passengers and crew aboard Flight 93 - and thousands more innocent lives elsewhere - and turned a vacant Somerset County strip mine site into the resting place of heroes.
Since then, the park service and other groups have been developing plans for a $58 million permanent memorial to the crash victims. And one hurdle - perceived Muslim imagery in the original memorial design - was finally cleared when the park service unveiled a new look on May 2.
However, while we agree that the country should develop a permanent tribute to the bravery and sacrifice of the innocent victims who gave their lives on 9/11, we'd rather see no permanent memorial built than have the government use such devious means to move the project forward.
"Basically, at this point, we have not been able to acquire all the land we need," park service spokesman Phil Sheridan said.
That's a shame! So you just bully the property owners to get what you want? That's the intent of the park service, apparently.
"We always prefer to get that land from a willing seller," Sheridan said. "And sometimes you can just not come to an agreement on certain things."
What rubbish!
A judge with a conscience and backbone should intervene in this matter and tell the park service to back off.
This is a clear case of government trampling on the rights of citizens to get what it wants.
We can't allow that to happen - even for a project as worthwhile as the Flight 93 Memorial.
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DESPICABLE ACT - WE OPPOSE ANY ACTION BY THE GOVERNMENT OTHER THAN . . . .
WE WOULD URGE ALL THE LANDOWNERS TO FIGHT THE PLANNED TAKEOVERS VIGOROUSLY IN ANY AVAILABLE LEGAL CHANNEL - UP TO AND INCLUDING THE U.S. SUPREME COURT.
PROPERTY OWNER TIM LAMBERT TOLD THE ASSOCIATED PRESS THAT HE WAS "SHOCKED" AND "DISAPPOINTED" TO LEARN THAT BIG BROTHER WAS COMING AFTER THE 164 ACRES HIS GRANDFATHER PURCHASED SOME 80 YEARS AGO.
RANDALL MUSSER, ANOTHER PROPERTY OWNER, SAID LANDOWNERS WERE PROMISED SEVEN YEARS AGO THAT EMINENT DOMAIN WOULD NOT BE EMPLOYED. . . . . "BUT WHAT'S SAD IS THEY HAD ALL THESE YEARS TO PUT THIS TOGETHER AND THEY HAVEN'T."
SUCH THREAT OF ACTION IS INDICATIVE OF A POWER-HUNGRY GOVERNMENT AGENCY RUN AMOK.
THE PARK SERVICE'S WILLINGNESS TO USE SUCH MEANS IS APPALLING.
WE'D RATHER SEE NO PERMANENT MEMORIAL BUILT THAN HAVE THE GOVERNMENT USE SUCH DEVIOUS MEANS TO MOVE THE PROJECT FORWARD.
THAT'S A SHAME! SO YOU JUST BULLY THE PROPERTY OWNERS TO GET WHAT YOU WANT? THAT'S THE INTENT OF THE PARK SERVICE, APPARENTLY.
WHAT RUBBISH!
A JUDGE WITH A CONSCIENCE AND BACKBONE SHOULD INTERVENE IN THIS MATTER AND TELL THE PARK SERVICE TO BACK OFF.
THIS IS A CLEAR CASE OF GOVERNMENT TRAMPLING ON THE RIGHTS OF CITIZENS TO GET WHAT IT WANTS.
WE CAN'T ALLOW THAT TO HAPPEN - EVEN FOR A PROJECT AS WORTHWHILE AS THE FLIGHT 93 MEMORIAL.
here is the whole editorial, the strongest words I've seen
The Tribune-Democrat Published: May 08, 2009 08:36 am
DESPICABLE ACT BY PARK SERVICE INVOKES EMINENT DOMAIN FOR FLIGHT 93 MEMORIAL
Just when it appeared that controversy was no longer dogging the Flight 93 Memorial project, we learned that the federal government plans to take land from private property owners who have not yet signed sales agreements.
Seven property owners with a combined 500 acres are targeted by the U.S. Park Service, which is attempting to complete acquisitions for a total of 2,200 acres for a permanent crash memorial.
We oppose any action by the government other than negotiating fair prices with these property owners.
And we would urge all the landowners to fight the planned takeovers vigorously in any available legal channel - up to and including the U.S. Supreme Court.
The park service plans to condemn land parcels and secure rights to them through eminent domain, rather than continue with negotiations.
Property owner Tim Lambert told The Associated Press that he was "shocked" and "disappointed" to learn that big brother was coming after the 164 acres his grandfather purchased some 80 years ago.
Lambert said owners of these smaller parcels were never told there was a firm deadline for negotiations.
Randall Musser, another property owner, said landowners were promised seven years ago that eminent domain would not be employed by the government. Musser has 62 acres that the park service is after. "(The park service) apologized about the way it's come together," Musser told the AP, "but what's sad is they had all these years to put this together and they haven't."
Such threat of action is indicative of a power-hungry government agency run amok.
The park service's willingness to use such means is appalling.
United Flight 93 crashed near Shanksville on Sept. 11, 2001 - shortly after terrorists had flown planes into the World Trade Center towers in New York and the Pentagon in Arlington, Va.
The tragic events of that day claimed the lives of 40 passengers and crew aboard Flight 93 - and thousands more innocent lives elsewhere - and turned a vacant Somerset County strip mine site into the resting place of heroes.
Since then, the park service and other groups have been developing plans for a $58 million permanent memorial to the crash victims. And one hurdle - perceived Muslim imagery in the original memorial design - was finally cleared when the park service unveiled a new look on May 2.
However, while we agree that the country should develop a permanent tribute to the bravery and sacrifice of the innocent victims who gave their lives on 9/11, we'd rather see no permanent memorial built than have the government use such devious means to move the project forward.
"Basically, at this point, we have not been able to acquire all the land we need," park service spokesman Phil Sheridan said.
That's a shame! So you just bully the property owners to get what you want? That's the intent of the park service, apparently.
"We always prefer to get that land from a willing seller," Sheridan said. "And sometimes you can just not come to an agreement on certain things."
What rubbish!
A judge with a conscience and backbone should intervene in this matter and tell the park service to back off.
This is a clear case of government trampling on the rights of citizens to get what it wants.
We can't allow that to happen - even for a project as worthwhile as the Flight 93 Memorial.
# posted by 
: 10:40 AM
: 10:40 AM << Home
