Apple's NY Fifth Avenue store is an 'insult to Islam'

[mawilson 2,133]

According to a report on The Middle East Media Research Institute, Apple's

NY Fifth Avenue store has been slammed by "an Islamic website" as a

"new insult to Islam".

The reason? Well, it resembles the Muslims' sacred Ka'ba, situated in the

Masjid al-Haram mosque in Mecca:

The "Islamic website" claims that since the offending structure is known as the

"Apple Mecca", and "contains bars selling alcoholic beverages", it constitutes

"a blatant insult to Islam". The site accordingly calls on Muslims to spread the

word in the hope that "Muslims will be able to stop the project".

Sadly, it's a bit late for that, since the store opened for business back in May.

We do have some good news, though. As far as we're aware it's not called the

"Apple Mecca", it does not serve alcoholic beverages, and neither Jack Straw

nor Salman Rushdie work behind the counter.

Source

[ieldanth 0]

So now we are not allowed to build small rectangular buildings without upsetting some people's oh so delicate sensibilities? Sorry, but these people want to be offended.

[rclouse 0]

I think what happened is when it was being constructed they had black plastic over the whole thing, probably to protect it. Someone uppity saw a picture of it, noticed it was similar to the kaaba, and decided to make a fuss over nothing.

/flickr

[Saddle Bronc 124]

But the steps around it as well as the tall buildings (easily the width of the WALLS of the 'mecca grand mosque') mean only the SHAPE was similar.

This rather resembles the ado a few years ago about the "BC" comic strip concerning slamming an outhouse door--where because the word "SLAM!" was stacked, some "muslim" claimed it was insulting.

Edited October 12, 2006 by CherryXS

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

You can't copyright a cube.

[Saddle Bronc 124]

You can't copyright a cube.

Not quite true (Rubik's cube IS copyrighted/trademarked). But no muslim till now has ever filed a copyright on the ka'ba. :lol:

[UmmSqueakster 54]

Muslim website says muslims aren't offended by Apple Store

also

Muslims profess serious love for Apple store

and this muslim would seriously love a green IPod nano. Anyone, in the sake of interfaith relations?

Edited October 12, 2006 by rahma

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

You can't copyright a cube.

Not quite true (Rubik's cube IS copyrighted/trademarked). But no muslim till now has ever filed a copyright on the ka'ba. :lol:

If we're talking architecture here - I don't believe anyone owns a copyright or patent for a cube shaped building. Which is why this is just another example of knee-jerkery. Its because the store has opened, NOT because it is "blasphemous".

Just another example of someone looking to be offended and pulling something out of the air to draw attention to themselves. If you were to point out the thousands of other buildings that are similarly shaped, the argument becomes meaningless. In other words, its a complete "non-issue".

[Nizzy 1]

Some people are just out looking for ways to get offended. Life is for living for pete's sake!

[Trompe le Monde 1,107]

I think some people like to be offended by people being offended

[Veiled Princess 1]

Perhaps it was because the rumor was that it was not only a black cubed building but also that it was going to be called Apple's Mecca?

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Perhaps it was because the rumor was that it was not only a black cubed building but also that it was going to be called Apple's Mecca?

So what? I might say the Starbucks outside Colombia University is a Mecca for students. Where's the offence? That the word "Mecca" has taken on a wider meaning?

People are really ridiculous when they get up in arms about things like this. What's next? Someone complains about a 5-star restaurant because they don't like the "aesthetic lines of the decor". Its ridiculous.

[pedroh 21]

yea now I'm offended because it looks like the Mexican cube of happiness.. it's plain wrong.. ayy

[Veiled Princess 1]

Perhaps it was because the rumor was that it was not only a black cubed building but also that it was going to be called Apple's Mecca?

So what? I might say the Starbucks outside Colombia University is a Mecca for students. Where's the offence? That the word "Mecca" has taken on a wider meaning?

People are really ridiculous when they get up in arms about things like this. What's next? Someone complains about a 5-star restaurant because they don't like the "aesthetic lines of the decor". Its ridiculous.

Well I don't know... I was just guessing I'm not personally offended.... I really couldn't care less about it... as a matter of fact, if it wasn't posted here I would have probably never heard about it

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

Does it have a meteor that was worshipped by pagans? It sure would be uncanny then.