Why are non-Muslims excluded from holy Muslim sites?

Question

Non-Muslims aren't premitted into the Dome of the Rock and can't even enter the city of Mecca. What's the point of this?

Other religions welcome others to their holy places. Why does Islam seek to exclude others? What kind of message does that send non-Muslims?

Dingo: Interesting, I hadn't known that about Mormonism. I don't get why they'd do that either. I thought the point of religion was to include, not exclude.

Aziz: Come on now, many people live in the city of Mecca. You know they're not worshipping 24/7.

Answer 1

Because Makkah, Medina and the Dome of the Rock are places of worship, not tourism.

There is only one purpose of visiting those places and that is worship. If you are not there to worship, you have no purpose there.

Your Visa into these places is to declare: There is no God but the One God and Muhammed is His Last Messeneger

Answer 2

So what? Christians won't allow others entering the Vatican.
What's so important to non-Muslims to go to Muslims holy site in Mecca.
The main reason Non-Muslims not permitted there because entering to the site requires cleanliness, there is a matter of cleansing the body, even for Mulims too.!

Answer 3

It depends on which Holy sites you are talking about.
Visitors are OK at the Dome of the Rock.

I'm a Christian and have been to the Temple Mount in Jerusalem twice. Non-Muslims can go there, but don't take your Bible out !

Answer 4

There are other religions who have such guidelines. The Mormons don't even allow other Mormons into the temple unless they have completed a temple study course and have been interviewed by the bishop and found to be following the doctrine of the church.

I suppose some things are just so sacred that you don't want people coming in just to gawk at them. It might seem unfair, but I can understand their point of view.

Answer 5

fair enough.non Muslims are not excluded from all holy places.the messenger of Allah [saw]prohibited the non-Muslim in the Arabian peninsula. during that time jerusalem was also considered [as-sham] a part of the peninsula. He said no two religions should be found there.meaning they are not to be established there.visiting is allowed.mecca is off limits.by decree of Allah.[...after this year of theirs do not let them enter it for they are unclean..].there are similar verses also about who has the right to enter and maintain the houses of Allah.you ask why Islam seeks to exclude others.i think you have caught on.we do not wish to be like the christian.we do not wish to be like the Jew.Islam has come to separate not to join the world in hands and sing kumbaya.you are excluded because you are considered a people without understanding.a people void of knowledge.you have the proof of Allah's dominion yet out of arrogance and pride you cant humble yourself to follow a religion that was given to an Arab.and i am not afraid to speak the truth,since you are not afraid to tell a lie.Allah is displeased with those who reject his message.you have rejected it.it was given to the Muslims and we took it with open arms.now you want us to be like you.uh uh,never.the message we send to non Muslims is the message that they get.we are Muslims.we are not like you.so if your lookin for a religion that accepts all and sundry stick to what you got .leave true monotheism to the real men and women.

Answer 6

Yeah it's weird because many other mosques around the world DO allow non Muslims to enter and look around. I remember going to one in Kuala Lumpur no problem. I'd like to visit Mecca and see the Haj, but I don't want to have to convert for the right to do it.

Answer 7

Mormons do not allow non-mormons into their temples.

it's not just Muslims, but a lot of religions

Answer 8

They don't want us to find out that there are idols in the Kabba aka the giant black piece of rock in Mecca.

Answer 9

What CJunk said!

Answer 10

Read and study your Bible - do not worry about the Muslims - they will only guide you incorrectly.