Apple Fifth Avenue store offensive to Muslims?
Posted by Dennis Sellers 
Oct 11, 2006 at 4:45pm
On October 10, 2006, an Islamic web site posted a message alerting Muslims to what it claims is a new insult to Islam: the Apple Fifth Avenue Store in New York City.
According to the message, the cube-shaped building which is being constructed in New York City, on Fifth Avenue between 58th and 59th Streets in midtown Manhattan, is clearly meant to provoke Muslims. The fact that the building resembles the Ka’ba, is called “Apple Mecca,” is intended to be open 24 hours a day like the Ka’ba, and moreover, contains bars selling alcoholic beverages, constitutes a blatant insult to Islam, notes the Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI). The message urges Muslims to spread this alert, in hope that “Muslims will be able to stop the project.”
The Ka’ba is the most holy structure in Islam situated in Mecca, and, is according to Islam, the centre of the world. The area around the Ka’ba is considered sacred, and inside the area where the truce of God reigns. It’s base is 10.5×12 meters, and it’s 15 meters high. The Ka’ba stands on a marble base which is 25 cm high. Each of the corners are pointing in the four directions of the compass. The Ka’ba is built of grey stones from the hills around Mecca.
The Apple store—located at 767 Fifth Avenue between 58th and 59th Streets, neighbouring Central Park, FAO Schwarz and Bergdorf Goodman—offers more than 100 Macs and nearly 200 iPods. It has the largest staff of any Apple Store—nearly 300 highly trained Mac Specialists, Mac Geniuses and Creatives who offer free tips and tricks on photography, movies and music. The new store—which is perhaps best known for its 32-foot glass cube—sports a combined 45-foot Genius Bar, iPod Bar and The Studio where customers can get face-to-face support, free advice and work on creative projects at any hour of the day or night.
Of course, there’s some confusion. The Apple store is open 24 hours a day, but doesn’t serve alcohol. As for the “Apple Mecca” title, I’ve never heard it referred to as such. You can find a photo of the Ka’ba at the MEMRI web site and compare it with this photo of the Apple store to see what you think.
By the way, as ZDNet points out, MEMRI isn’t suggesting that the Apple store is offensive, they merely cite “an Islamic Web site.” MEMRI explores the Middle East through the region’s media and is designed to bridge the language gap which exists between the West and the Middle East, “providing timely translations of Arabic, Persian, and Turkish media, as well as original analysis of political, ideological, intellectual, social, cultural, and religious trends in the Middle East.”
Rob Davidson Says:
So no architect can design a building in the shape of a cube because muslims will be insulted. For those Muslims who think this is ridiculous I thank them for their intelligence. For those who are upset, maybe you should start to realize than spending every minute of your life searching for any possible reason to get your Burka in a knot is no life at all.
On the other hand, maybe they have a point. The land surrounding an Apple store may indeed be sacred.
Posted on October 11, 2006
Unbeliveable Says:
If muslims are offended by this sort of thing they should leave America and go live in a muslim country. We can do without these kind of acusations by people with an agenda.
Posted on October 11, 2006
Deocliciano Okssipin Vieira Says:
Sounding Muslims is really misleading as those ignorant who uses muslim belief to start confusion. How can we generalize this?
I think this should not be ignored by Apple at all, there is plenty of ignorant people out there even those college educated ones. They should respond quick to dispel any doubt.
Even as surrealistic it looks.
Posted on October 11, 2006
Un-Freakin' Believable Says:
You’ve got to be kidding me. If you don’t like it, get the hell out of AMERICA. If you don’t like us or our culture, get the heck out. And stay out. We don’t want you here if you can’t live in a free and open society.
Posted on October 11, 2006
RevMark Says:
Right on Un-Freakin’.
I wish Christians would get up in arms everytime the media, liberals, Hollywood, Muslim, etc, attack, mock, or insult our faith. But then again we would be just like them. Intolerant, biggoted, and yes, I’ll say it, terroristic in nature.
Posted on October 11, 2006
He Who Is Free Of Sin Says:
Please - Islam is hardly the only violent religion out there. Christianity has gallons of blood on its hands over the centuries: heretics burned at the stake? Brutal inquisitions and purges? Thankfully the western world had the Renaissance and Enlightenment periods and (mostly) outgrew that nonsense. One day this will happen in the Muslim world as well, if we don’t all kill each other first.
Posted on October 11, 2006
SlyRobber Says:
I think I sort of agree with most of the above. Islam has a lot of growing up to do as do our Cristofasists with their “literal Bible” i.e. Shellfish an abomination, slavery ok, etc. etc. Yet I also think that a Muslim that is so uncomfortable as to being constantly in a state of being offended should consider moving to a more comfortable environment i.e. a middle eastern country or Indonesia or some more Islam-friendly area of the world. If they are able to adapt and integrate in our Eurocentric society then by all means they should be welcome to become a valued member of our society.
Just my opinion.
Posted on October 11, 2006
JD Says:
My are we feeling tolerant today!
Posted on October 11, 2006
RayCon Says:
Fanatic:
Someone who won’t change his mind and can’t change the subject.
Posted on October 11, 2006
Bob Says:
Well, first off, 5th Avenue has always been nicknamed “Mecca” by Apple FANS since the cube’s announcement...not by Apple itself. If anything, it was meant as a compliment to both Apple and Islam because it means that the Apple faithful see such an Apple landmark as “sacred.” To equate it to Islam is to mean that they also consider Mecca sacred. I don’t think anyone should be upset over a cube made of glass....pahleeeez. The statement was obviously from someone who doesn’t know exactly what a Genius BAR is either.
I do, also want to say that there are many other faiths besides Christian in AMERICA as it was put earlier. This is NOT a strictly Christian country and we shouldn’t be so quick to throw citizens under the bus because they aren’t Christian.
...and lay off this leftist media BS. The media is as left as the right wing companies that own them.
So....Muslims, stop being upset over a glass cube and Christians stop being so angry at others. Now go to your rooms without supper and let’s get back to talking about computers.
Posted on October 11, 2006
Read the last line of the 2nd paragraph and the la Says:
As usual, what make the foolish man quick to jump on these sort of things?
Not only that the article says ZDNEt only citing MEMRI’s post but MEMRI website also just quoting (and translating) a foreign post from a Middle-East website, which clearly was posting a message about something that was unfinished (just look at the picture and being secretive as it is Apple) was being assumed for something that it is clearly not. Seem to me most people who posted here also have some translation problem themselves not to mention comprehension of the WHOLE story just like the people who posted the original message.
Posted on October 12, 2006
generalisation Says:
Brendan Says:
New story: [MUSLIMS] an embarrassment to religion. And I have religious beliefs myself. I just think [THEY] have gone too far, and [THEY] need to grow up. Look at Bob Dylan, he went on an iTunes ad, and he called his new album “Modern Times”.
Do not generalise the statement..its [YOU] people who need to grow up..
Posted on October 12, 2006
Brendan Says:
Excuse me Mr. or Mrs. Generalisation!
Don’t point me out it oyu don’t have to the courage to use your real name. Besides that, I’m just responding to what the general response has been. I’m am aware that there are normal Muslims out there, and a lot of them, but this is redicilous. This is an oversensitive, unrealistic, and non-cultured response to nothing. Complete overreaction, and completely non-justified. I’m just hope any Muslims out there that read my comment can see the obvious truth here too.
Posted on October 12, 2006
MacManic Says:
This is all very sad.
Posted on October 12, 2006
gagravaar Says:
I’ve said this before on this subject, and I’ll say it again:
Is the Louvre offensive to Egyptians? Of course it isn’t.
http://www.louvre.fr/llv/commun/home_flash.jsp?bmLocale=en
People of all 14th century faiths would do well to modernise a little and realise we live in a global society.
You’ve only got one chance at this life, why waste it talking in your head to a god that doesn’t exist?
Posted on October 12, 2006
Abdullah Says:
I am a Muslim and I feel there needs more clarity on this situation. Firstly muslims do not worship the ka’aba. Infact all craven images are forbidden. Because ‘what ever you think or imagine’, is NOT God. And Muslims say ‘There are no gods but Allah the creator and sustainer of the worlds’.Islam is the religion without images, not even the star and cresent moon you see on flags. These were imperialist suggestions to the people. alas. The kha’aba is only a device for directing people together period. Now there are pagan religions who place signifiance with the qube, as well as pyramids and obilisks. But not Muslims who are educated. So muslims who understand do not care what shape is used but are concerned that this will confuse some and in Islam idol worship is ‘THE’ worst sin you can do to yourself.
Posted on October 27, 2006
Peter Kirn Says:
Come on, people. Islam is the second-largest religion on the planet, and you’re judging based on—one crazy announcement? I’d be a little disturbed by what you’d assume about Christianity based on the same enlightened approach. These comments are bigoted reactions, and I’m sure you can do better. The claims of this website are also clearly out of line; they’re questionable both in terms of what they claim about religion and Apple’s architectural tastes. But your reaction is equally absurd.
Let’s act like adults here. This is a non-issue.
Posted on October 27, 2006
Nasar Says:
Muslims pray and bow before Almighty Allah Alone, the creator and sustainer of all, and not the Ka’aba itself. Just cubical shape of a building should not be an issue. I think the shop wanted to attract media by such structure and they succeeded in it. Many of the above wouldn’t have given remarks about Muslims, only if they knew some basic facts about Islam. e.g. http://www.islamicfinder.org/faq/list.php?lang=english
Posted on November 08, 2006
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Dennis Sellers
Dennis has been a newspaper editor/reporter (seven years) and teacher (seven years). He has over 4,000 magazine, newspaper and online articles to his credit. He has also covered the Mac and tech industries for over a decade for such online publications as MacCentral, MacMinute and now MacsimumNews.
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Brendan Says:
New story: Muslims an embarrassment to religion. And I have religious beliefs myself. I just think they have gone too far, and they need to grow up. Look at Bob Dylan, he went on an iTunes ad, and he called his new album “Modern Times”.
Posted on October 11, 2006