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Muslim scientists and clerics have called for the adoption of Mecca time to replace GMT, arguing that the Saudi city is the true centre of the Earth.

Mecca is the direction all Muslims face when they perform their daily prayers.

The call was issued at a conference held in the Gulf state of Qatar under the title: Mecca, the Centre of the Earth, Theory and Practice.

One geologist argued that unlike other longitudes, Mecca's was in perfect alignment to magnetic north.

He said the English had imposed GMT on the rest of the world by force when Britain was a big colonial power, and it was about time that changed.

Mecca watch

A prominent cleric, Sheikh Youssef al-Qaradawy, said modern science had at last provided evidence that Mecca was the true centre of the Earth; proof, he said, of the greatness of the Muslim "qibla" - the Arabic word for the direction Muslims turn to when they pray.

The meeting also reviewed what has been described as a Mecca watch, the brainchild of a French Muslim.

The watch is said to rotate anti-clockwise and is supposed to help Muslims determine the direction of Mecca from any point on Earth.

The meeting in Qatar is part of a popular trend in some Muslim societies of seeking to find Koranic precedents for modern science.

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Originally posted by M. Spector:
Who says Islam is incompatible with science?

Here they've been able to prove that Mecca is the centre of the Earth, where Western scientists have failed. This is indeed a testament to the scientific power of Islam.

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The meeting in Qatar is part of a popular trend in some Muslim societies of seeking to find Koranic precedents for modern science.

It is called "Ijaz al-Koran", which roughly translates as the "miraculous nature of the holy text".

The underlying belief is that scientific truths were also revealed in the Muslim holy book, and it is the work of scholars to unearth and publicise the textual evidence.

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"Winnipeg time" would be an excellent choice, although I would be willing to go with "Gimli time" just to appease the hobbit and dwarf fans, and to honour Manitoba's Icelandic heritage.

Longitudinal Centre of Canada

[ 24 April 2008: Message edited by: N.Beltov ]

The marker is a little off, according to a local use of GPS, so maybe the following would be a better choice ...

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Self proclaimed Center of the Universe is located in center of the intersection of Bank Street and Sixth Street in Wallace, Idaho.

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...But the movement is not without its critics, who say that the notion that modern science was revealed in the Koran confuses spiritual truth, which is constant, and empirical truth, which depends on the state of science at any given point in time.

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[ 24 April 2008: Message edited by: martin dufresne ]

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Originally posted by martin dufresne:
[quoting the BBC] But the movement is not without its critics, who say that the notion that modern science was revealed in the Koran confuses spiritual truth, which is constant, and empirical truth, which depends on the state of science at any given point in time.

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As’ad AbuKhalil: I would like to say, right at the outset, where I stand. First, I’m very much in favor, and I relish the opportunity to mock every and other religion. What I think is very bothersome to many Arabs and Muslims is exactly what the other guest does, which is selective condemnation and mocking of one religion over others. I mean, I think if you mock all religion, that is consistent, free thinking, in support for the enlightenment, as well as secularism, but what comes out of many in the West is selective secularism, the notion that you can mock one religion, but all others have to be treated with reverence and sacredness. And this is why this entire defense, in the name of freedom of speech, doesn’t sell very much in the Arab world.

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[ 24 April 2008: Message edited by: martin dufresne ]

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Originally posted by martin dufresne:
I don't know if he is, but I am not. Benedict XVI just got the royal treatment from North American media and pooliticians during a week. I didn't hear much "mocking" in the mainstream media, either leveled at him or, God forbid!, Christianity. As for Muslim crusaders invading Christianist countries and shooting up civilians to liberate them from Xtian obscurantism, I have yet to see that happen.

[ 24 April 2008: Message edited by: martin dufresne ]

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Yes, I was astonished at the coverage of the Benedict XVI visit! It was bizarre! Nonetheless, Christianity is frequently "mocked" in commercials, comedy shows, movies, books, internet sites, etc. And so is Islam. I am not saying that it is mocked more frequently or more offensively. My point is only that it is not true that Christianity is not mocked.

Moreover, you must know that at various points in history, Islamic armies have invaded Christian countries. Of course, that doesn't justify the invasion of Iraq. It has nothing to do with it. Are you implying that this was done for religious reasons? Religion has been used to rationalize and justify it but the reasons for the invasion and occupation are economic and political. America invaded out of perceived self interest, not out some kind of concern for the salvation of Iraqis!

Anyway, that is irrelevant. My sole point was that I suspect Angry Arab probably underestimates the extent to which Christianity is "mocked" in the West. That's all.

[ 24 April 2008: Message edited by: RosaL ]

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RosaL: I'm just wondering if the Angry Arab is aware of the extent to which Christianity is "mocked" in the West.

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The Angry Arab is a lecturer or professor who teaches over here in North America. And, judging by his remarks, he relishes mocking religions.

I think he was just incensed by Manji's shallow shilling for FOX-TV and went a little overboard in his attacks on her in the debate. He might have prefaced his remarks, by not only noting his own willingness to mock religions but, by taking account of the different experiences of religion between a young lesbian undergrad like Manji and an older male professor like himself. I've got to admit that I was in agreement with his main points, however.

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Originally posted by N.Beltov:

The Angry Arab is a lecturer or professor who teaches over here in North America. And, judging by his remarks, he relishes mocking religions.

I think he was just incensed by Manji's shallow shilling for FOX-TV and went a little overboard in his attacks on her in the debate. He might have prefaced his remarks, by not only noting his own willingness to mock religions but, by taking account of the different experiences of religion between a young lesbian undergrad like Manji and an older male professor like himself. I've got to admit that I was in agreement with his main points, however.

The visit of the Pope would have been a perfect time for religious mockery in the MSM. Where is it? The visit of the Dalai Lama would have also been a perfect time for religious mockery. Where is it?

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Irshad Manji (who is 40 this year) probably did provoke him! I wish she had taken some of the critical positions she does without going over to "the Fox side". She's lost any credibility she might have had as an internal critic of Islam.

I was repelled by CNNs fawning coverage of Benedict XVths visit but I don't think I've ever seen a major network actually mock a major religion while covering one of its events!

I'm quite surprised that you think Christianity is generally treated with respect (even reverence) in the Western media. (I could have written Martin's response for him but yours surprises me.) I wonder if maybe you have to be a somewhat "traditional" (if "Liberationist") Christian to perceive Christianity as pervasively "mocked". I'm not one of those people who complains about or protests this. (I'd like to get rid of the notion that this is a Christian society, so, in a sense, the mocking is a positive.) But I do notice it and, though I don't protest, to have what is sacred to you treated in this way is painful, as practicing Muslims will also attest.

A minor example: The car ad. A long-haired, bearded man comes in, in a white suit and gold platform shoes, surrounded by a halo of light. He inquires about the "period of grace". The payment plan is described to him. "Why, that's glorious" he says, as the music swells and a dove flutters over his head. This is grossly offensive. It's a very minor example but I mention it because I've seen it several times this week.

A final note: I've been reading the transcript and The Angry Arab's initial statement (which you quoted), before he was irked beyond measure by Irshad Manji, is nuanced:

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what comes out of many in the West is selective secularism, the notion that you can mock one religion, but all others have to be treated with reverence and sacredness.

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I agree with that! This is true of "many" in the West - not the Danes, I think, who have been mocking Christianity for some time - but certainly there are "many" and some of these wield power in Washington.

Moreover, much of what he had to say was about Western sensitivities to anything that could conceivably be construed as anti-semitism as opposed to the treatment of Muslims and Islam in the media. His points are well taken there as well.

In short, I don't know that I disagree with the guy and he has a good blog.

[ 24 April 2008: Message edited by: RosaL ]

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I could have written Martin's response for him (...)

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