CNN has an article up on adventurer Christiaan Snouck Hurgronje who back in 1885 took pictures and sound recordings of Mecca. Thats 125 years ago! The photos and sound clips are currently being exhibited in Dubai until December 6th so if you’re there or planning to visit Dubai soon this is a great exhibition to check out. For now though you can check out some pictures and a sound clipping on the CNN website [Here]
Update: The Buz Fairy posted a video made up of pictures taken back in 1953. You can check those out by clicking [Here]
15 replies on “Mecca 1885”
I suppose back then Christians were not banned from entering Mecca like they are now… we truly live in dark times!
speaking of Mecca, did you know the new cover for the Kaaba cost 5.3 million dollars this year.
do they change it every year?
yes
20 million sr
more like a meal for some of these guys
it isn’t considered expensive cause it’s made out of pure silk and gold
what do they do with the old covers?
Regarding allowing Christians – the photographer in question actually converted to Islam.
Regarding the old covers, it is distributed among the pilgrims. There is actually a factory dedicated in Saudi that manufactures the cloth.
Making of ‘Kiswa’ a.k.a the cloth covering the Kaab’a.
https://www.islamicboard.com/general/17603-making-ghilaf-e-kaaba-its-beautiful.html
Fascinating!
Here’s more info on about the cover or “Kiswaa” including what they do with the old one from Wiki:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kiswah
Not sure about how accurate this information is in wiki, but it’s a start.
“what do they do with the old covers?”
they divide it up into small pieces and give them away as presents.
thanks for the great post.. the recording is quite moving.
1400 years and islam has not changed..sub7an allah.
zaydoun- dark times 3ashan christians are not allowed in? its a law governed by islam..one should respect it. plus, its a place of worship not a tourist attraction..
Mark,
If you dont mind Could you please change the name to “Makkah” instead of “Mecca”.
I have been thought that Makkah is more appropiate for Name.
marhaba mark
the correct name is makkah , makkah please not that name
Amazing images (cnn)!