Interesting facts about Non-Muslims visiting Mecca

Submitted by Debanjan Banerjee (India), May 17, 2009 at 03:54

Dr. Pipes ,
In relation to non-Muslims prevented from visiting Mecca , I believe there is a special chapter in the Quran which forbids non-Muslims into Mecca.

Having said that I believe certain Western intellectuals have visited Mecca i.e. Richard Burton who wrote the "Perfumed Garden" (english translation of "Arabian Nights"). As well as a French group of commandos also visited Mecca in the early 1980-s on a special request of the Saudi Monarch.

Dr. Pipes , can you kindly tell why the above mentioned Westerners(i.e. Non-Muslims) were allowed to visit Mecca by the authorities ?

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