THE very sanctity of the holy mosque in Makkah has been marred by rampant, unbridled commercialisation, overcrowding, pretentious decorations and constant development work. The aura of spirituality around the place has been affected, distractingthe attention of pilgrims.
It would have been better to preserve the mosque and its surrounding areas in their original form as far as possible. All spiritual places have an aura of serenity, quietness, simplicity and absence of adornment. Modern technology has no doubt provided comfort and facilitation to pilgrims, but they go there for spiritual awakening and enlightenment, and not to enjoy the pleasures of modern technology and global commerce.
The glittering minarets, the flaunting decorations and the golden chandeliers create a sense of worldliness and majestic show-off rather than simplicity, austerity and godliness. Every bit of the rather majestic, grand and pretentious environment only reflects the royalty ruling the land, not Islam and spirituality.
