Aibu not to know the birthplace of the Prophet Mohammed?

[Quodlibet]

Just that really. I was unaware until today.

"they pray towards mecca becuase Ka'bah is there"

And it's sheer coincidence, of course, that Islam's most holy shrine is in the place Mohammed was born.

"Yes Vladimir, that'll be it. Nothing to do with me being an atheist, a secularist and a feminist then."

I am all of those things. I am also a Labout supporter. I do not feel it detracts from my principles to know about the history of the Conservative party

That is a ridiculous analogy. The government of the UK has swung from being led by a Conservative pm or a Labour pm (Corbyn for the moment has made the latter unlikely for the foreseeable future)

Of course one should know about these parties , although frankly their present and future is more important than their past.

I sincerely hope and expect that the tenets of Islam have no effect on my life.

I am not sure why not being religious prevents you from having basic general knowledge. If you decide to ignore all religious elements of history, geography and current affairs, there won't be much left.

But why be "proud" about your ignorance?

I am happy to admit when I don't know something. There is of course a balance between ignorance and genuinely just not knowing something.

If we're going to keep referring to Justin Bieber on this then for example, my niece lives and breathes his music. I couldn't name you a single one of his songs despite the fact that whenever I'm driving with her she'll commander the music port and we'll spend most of the journey listening to his music. Does that make me ignorant? Perhaps - I'm just not interested in pop music, however, I am not "proud" of not knowing.

This is why I said it comes from a misguided sense of something else - be it terror or something else but to be actually proud of being ignorant is woeful.

And it's sheer coincidence, of course, that Islam's most holy shrine is in the place Mohammed was born.

No hackmum it's not a coincidence, but the fact is that Mecca's importance predates Muhammad saws, he restored it's importance, and added to it, but did not create it.

This thread is hilarious! What are all these people so proud of not knowing or caring doing on this thread?

well done op, I think you got what you wanted right? another thread to slag off muslims

I know about Mecca and happily chat with Muslim colleagues about their pilgrimages etc. I didn't know it was his birthplace though.

Yes me too. One colleague in particular loves telling me things. The stories from the q'ran (I've spelt that wrong haven't I?) and their meanings, about praying, where his family live and the troubles. I love to hear it and am like a sponge and he loves to share. Conversations can go on for quite a while

well done op, I think you got what you wanted right? another thread to slag off muslims

I bloody hope not. Let's try and keep it an informative one.

Well. If the OP wanted a depressing picture of the dumbed down, anti intellectual, narrow minded society we seem to be morphing into, them she got what she wanted............

At least I am able to grasp the difference between reality and fantasy

Can't know everything. I googled, and found it was the same place where I would have guessed if I had to guess in a pub quiz (Mecca) but it's not exactly something that is at the forefront of my mind.

You'd be unreasonably to boycott Cadbury's Easter eggs because they're halal like some fuckwits are (hint: no meat or alcohol in them anyway, so of course they are halal) but this is harly BU.

Muslims don't pray facing Mecca: they face the ka'abah which is believed to contain a stone from the time of Adam and Eve - the stone represents humanity (and human sin). They face towards it as a reminder of their humanity.

Satishouse Well done you! Your medal is in the post.

Astoria7974 The kaaba is in Mecca so it isnt incorrect to say we face Mecca to pray. The black stone is very important to us but also not why we face Mecca to pray.

BertrandRussell

Well. If the OP wanted a depressing picture of the dumbed down, anti intellectual, narrow minded society we seem to be morphing into, them she got what she wanted......

I'm really rather bored with the virtue signalling going on here. And the straw man arguments you have been making comparing knowing about how the political system of the country works, which affects every single one of us everyday, with knowing about the belief systems of a faith I do not share and never will share.

No person of faith , whatever faith, is entitled to expect anything from me other than I respect their right to follow that faith - provided they do so in a peaceful manner in accordance with the secular laws of the UK.

No person, whether of faith or otherwise; will get respect from me if they are pushing homophobic or sexist opinions.

@muhajaba - oh really? I was taught that the ka'aba (and in particular the stone) is the only reason why muslims face Mecca to pray. If it was thrown again to another city then Muslims would face that city instead &Mecca's importance as the birthplace of Mohammed does not supercede it's relevance as the site of the ka'aba to many Muslim sects. But I suppose that's the issue with all religion it's all open to interpretation.

Never mind where Muhammad was born, where did he keep his flying horse?
Does anyone know where Satan (peace be upon him) was born?

I didn't know the birthplace of Mohammed and now I do, and I am pleased to know because it is knowledge and that is good.

Facts are facts aren't they, I know all sorts of random things and important historical things it makes conversation interesting. Some people are weird.

Can you all talk at length about Zeus or Odin or Guru Nanak? Or has it not entered your consciousness to care? Well that's the way I feel.

Well, yes, actually. Certainly about Zeus (ancient studies), somewhat about Odin (had a futhark class etc in primary school) and definitely about Guru Nanak (world religion class)....

Does this mean I care? Well, notnecessarily, I suppose.

I don't think not knowing is in any way an issue. But being proud of not knowing is a bit weird.

Are you proud that you(for example...) can't speak German or Chinese (or Arab or whatever language you don't speak?)? Am I proud that my English skills are bit iffy? not particularly, no...

Does anyone know where Satan (peace be upon him) was born?

Depends on who you're ask...

Astoria7974 What you were taught isn't true...if for some reason the kaaba (as in the building) were to be moved we would not change the direction in which we pray. More than once in history the black stone has been removed, that didn't make a difference either. Although the stone and the building are extremely important, what's really important is the site they are on, we believe that site is the first site of worship in the world and that the black stone fell from heaven to mark the spot for Adam. This isn't really open to interpretation and I've never heard of any differences in opinion amongst the different sects.

I don't think not knowing is in any way an issue. But being proud of not knowing is a bit weird

Are you proud that you(for example...) can't speak German or Chinese (or Arab or whatever language you don't speak?)? Am I proud that my English skills are bit iffy? not particularly, no...

You are missing the point. It's not a question of being proud of not knowing; it's the fact that whether or not I know (and I actually did know) is completely irrelevant to me but it's being proposed it's wrong to think it's completely irrelevant.

I don't as it happens know anything about say the rules of Association Football or the Marxist-Hegelian dialectic. No football fan or Marxist has ever demanded I do.

I do however have considerable knowledge of the works of Charles Dickens and Graeco-Roman mythology. I don't expect others to share my enthusiasm for either.


Agree with lass

I would probably have guessed mecca but thats about it

I dont consider myself to be ignorant just because i dont know that fact

I'm not sure that it is the most useful general knowledge fact about Islam/Muslims tbh, especially if you have no interest in religions.

I would expect most people to know the meaning of the expressions 'if the mountain won't come....' and that 'a mecca' would be a place people were drawn to in everyday language.

In current global political circumstances prob far more useful to know that Sahih Bukhari is only recognised by some sects and that Aisha is a controversial figure.