The Kaaba

Paper Summary:

This paper looks at the Kaaba in Mecca, Saudi Arabia and discusses the physical attributes as well as the religious and historical significance of the structure. The paper also briefly discusses the artistic and architectural significance of the building and it's role in the broader context of the Grand Mosque.

From the Paper:

"The Kaaba, or "cube" in Arabic, is an ancient pre-Islamic granite temple in the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia. Located inside the Grand Mosque, it is the holiest site in Islamic religion. Although it is holy, it is not worshiped as an entity itself any more than a church or synagogue, but is considered a focal point for Islamic prayer and worship. When Muslims face Mecca for prayer, it is towards the Kaaba that they are actually facing. According to Islamic tradition, the first Kaaba was built by Adam and is supposedly a replica of the House of God in heaven directly above. It is traditionally believed that the Kaaba was rebuilt by Abraham and his son Ishmael, from whom Mohammad is believed to have descended, however the relationship between the Kaaba and Abraham has been refuted by modern scholars (Hekmat 21). "

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