Are non-Muslims allowed to enter Mecca during times of pilgrimage?

BRY2K

No. Few non-Muslims have ever seen the rites and rituals of the Hajj, as non-Muslims are strictly prohibited from entering Mecca and Medina. Non-Muslims are not permitted to enter Mecca by Saudi law. "Many religious scholars say this "discrimination" exists because Mecca was once a city where Muslims - including the prophet Mohammed - were persecuted and driven out. When Mohammed and his followers reclaimed the city, it was declared a sanctuary ... a place where every Muslim should feel safe." In no majority Muslim country in the world today do non-Muslims enjoy full equality of rights with Muslims; at very least they are forbidden to proselytize, while Muslims are not so forbidden. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mecca http://www.religionfacts.com/islam/places/mecca.htm http://www.jihadwatch.org/archives/014394.php May 04 08, 2:09 PM

Baloo55th

No, but Sir Richard Burton managed it in 1853 - here's his account of it: http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/mod/1853Burton.html May 04 08, 2:21 PM

stuthehistoryguy

"In no majority Muslim country in the world today do non-Muslims enjoy full equality of rights with Muslims; at very least they are forbidden to proselytize, while Muslims are not so forbidden." I do not believe this is accurate. I know people who have witnessed in Turkey (Assembly of God), Indonesia (LDS), and Algeria (Roman Catholic). May 04 08, 2:40 PM

Baloo55th

Turkey and Indonesia are secular countries, and both have substantial non-Moslem groups. Algeria is doing its best to be a secular state too. I think BRY2K was referring more to those states where Islamic law is either totally or mainly in force. May 04 08, 2:47 PM

BRY2K

Agreed, Baloo...I should have been clearer. May 04 08, 4:18 PM