The Meccan Rebellion: The Story of Juhayman al-'Utaybi
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"In November 1979, Juhayman al-Utaybi and his fellow rebels took over the Grand Mosque in Mecca, the holiest sanctuary in Islam, beginning what would become one of the most spectacular events in the modern history of Saudi Arabia.
By the end of the siege, the Grand Mosque was drenched in blood and its rebel leader and his co-conspirators were shortly beheaded for their crime. Three decades later, the name of the rebel leader is taboo in Saudi Arabia and his writings are banned; much about this event is still misunderstood.
As the initial days of the siege elapsed, many Muslims believed that it was a US-led assault on Islam, and even now, many in the Muslim world believe that the Iranians were responsible for the sacrilege."
- Book overview on Kitaabun.com
I bought The Meccan Rebellion without expectations. This is meant to be a factual or at least an historical account. There should be little sensationalism and more first-witness accounts. And there are, to some extent.
Without deeply analysing the content, I will say that authors have done well within their capability to give readers a researched account of what happened when the Grand Mosque (Masjid al-Haram) in Makkah, was seized. There is still some speculation going on and several ideas are proposed for what could have actually factually have led to the events.
We read about the beginnings of modern-day "terrorist" organisations originating from the Middle East up to Pakistan, the theological conflicts of ring-leaders and how the Islam that is followed is easily reformed for political agendas.
A good book, it's had great reviews, useful for historical data and various perspectives.
My rating: 3/5. I can live without another book on politics.
Buy this book on Kitaabun.com, The Meccan Rebellion.
More like this:
- Ibn Qayyim's 3 Kinds of Hearts, Illustrated
- Must Read Books: The Muslim's Essential Library
- Fatima Bint Muhammad, The Spiritual Heroine of Islam
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