TEHRAN, YJC. It has been a while since the House of Saud (also known as Al Saud) has started bulldozing some historical Islamic monuments on the pretext of expanding the Masjid al-Haram campus.
House of Saud's knocking down the Ottoman monuments has caused harsh dispute between them and groups who demand the preservation of historical heritage.
This part of the Grand Mosque which dates back to the 17th century the House of Saud says it wants to raze down to make room for more people praying there.
Irfan al-Olwa, Director of Islamic Heritage Institution has accused Saudi authorities of "Cultural Distruction” and said "A large part of Mecca is being damaged for the expansion operations.”
On the other hand Muhammad Jom'a, Manager of the contracting group for the expansion project has said that the reason for the project is to provide more space to the Mosque so that it would no become crowded when the hajjis make pilgrimage there.
CNN once tried to reach the Ministry of Islamic Affairs of Saudi Arabia and some other Saudi authorities, including the Emir of the Mecca district, the city Mayor, and Saudi Arabia's Embassy in London, but no one of them agreed to speak with the news channel.
The Salafi Egyptian group Ansar al-Sunnah al-Muhammadiyah has supported the expansion project. The group's Secretary Ahmed Yousof has said "We don't worship places or people. A Muslim utters what is in the Quran and tradition and there is no place more sacred than the Kabba. Therefore is the House of Saud has decided to expand the Mosque, it means that they care more about Islam and the Muslim than those monuments.”
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