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Prices aren't the only thing that might get chopped

Reader comment on item: Hilton Hotel's "Pilgrimage to Makkah"

Submitted by Archimedes2 (Canada), Feb 15, 2007 at 20:57

Not only Mecca but also Medina are forbidden to non-muslims. Medina is also associated with the Hajj, though this is lesser-known: Muslims are strongly encouraged to include a visit to Mohammed's tomb there after their visit to the Masjid al-Haram. Jojo Joseph, an infidel from India who was working in Saudi just before the annual Hajj, learned this the hard way.

His wife had a baby, and he hopped a taxi to get to the hospital. The taxi driver decided to take the fastest route, which went through the restricted zone in Medina. A religious volunteer checked their ID and poor Jojo was found without a Hajj or Umrah visa, and convicted of being a non-muslim in the sacred zone. He was sentenced to death by beheading. Fortunately for Jojo, the Indian embassy got wind of the affair and took up his case. The Saudi court reluctantly withdrew the death penalty on the basis that his presence in Medina was not his own fault. A close shave. So the trip to the Mecca Hilton could be sold to non-muslims as a sort of extreme health spa vacation: guaranteed 20 pound loss or money back...

Submitting....

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Reader comments (19) on this item

Title Commenter Date Thread
In Hebrew, the source of all languages, . . . [11 words]MordechaiApr 1, 2007 01:1288350
It is all about money [103 words]Egyptian ChristianMar 27, 2007 02:1788041
see Dubai's web site re not allowing Israelis to enter that country [143 words]MurielMar 16, 2007 18:5586558
HHonors [25 words]dgreenbergMar 12, 2007 21:1986088
there is not better reply than cancelling all your future business with hilton [32 words]susanFeb 25, 2007 14:4778843
Purpose? [151 words]Fred SchlomkaFeb 16, 2007 13:2577490
Prices aren't the only thing that might get chopped [194 words]Archimedes2Feb 15, 2007 20:5777400
Jojo's story [12 words]Archimedes2Feb 16, 2007 15:4177400
The fine print [35 words]SanchezFeb 15, 2007 20:1577396
For sanchez and much more [40 words]dhimmi no moreFeb 17, 2007 17:2877396
It's another indicator.. [11 words]JoshuaFeb 18, 2007 20:5677396
Macca or Makkah? [90 words]surjitMar 17, 2007 19:2377396
Macca or Makkah? [251 words]AbdurrahmanAug 24, 2007 00:2677396
4Non-Muslims Can Still Use The Name Mecca, Makkah Is For Muslim Use Only [38 words]AnneMAug 24, 2007 18:1977396
false claims [313 words]surjAug 24, 2007 20:4877396
Opinions expressed [133 words]NAMar 3, 2009 19:1777396
Makkah is meant to be the correct name not mecca [3 words]Muhammad UmarJul 25, 2018 10:2977396
Teaching Arabic to English transliteration to our dear Umar Muhammad from Nigeria [262 words]dhimmi no moreJul 25, 2018 17:3077396
2What is in the name? Mecca or Makkah. [206 words]PrashantJul 27, 2018 08:3077396

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