When one hears the name Agra, the Taj Mahal immediately comes to mind. Be it the Eiffel Tower in Paris, the Colosseum in Rome, and so on. These are the renowned monuments we identify the destinations with. Many other places have created replicas, maybe out of a strong love for these landmark structures or because of their popularity. A similar incident from Kashmir has surfaced, where a man attempted to replicate the sacred structure of the Kaaba, with the claims suggesting he may be mentally unstable.
It’s deeply concerning that replicating a monument is seen as one thing, but trying to recreate a structure of profound religious significance is nothing short of disrespectful, moreover unaccepted. How can those who assisted and encouraged him be so ignorant about their own religion?
Soon after the video of a man, alongside a structure resembling the Holy structure of Makkah went viral, creating a public resentment. Abdul Razak Lone, a resident of Waripora Kunzar, Tangmarg claimed to be a Sufi saint similar to Sheikh Nooruddin Wali (RA). Abdul asked people to visit the site if they were unable to travel to Saudi Arabia for the Hajj or Umrah.
The event has sparked significant outrage on social media, with religious scholars criticizing it as misleading and anti-Islamic.
According to Grand Mufti Nasir-ul-Islam, such acts contravene Muslim precepts and may lead to societal conflict.
“There is no scope for such acts in Shariah, while the man may require medical assistance, his deviance from faith cannot be condoned,” he said.
Locals reacted with concern, claiming the man had exhibited peculiar behavior for some time, but the construction of the Kaaba-like edifice pushed the subject to the forefront.
Following severe complaints from religious experts and clerics, Kunzer police in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district, on Tuesday, have detained eight persons, along the man who was taken into custody earlier, for constructing a structure imitating the holy Kaaba in Waripora village, Tangmarg. Officials stated he will be evaluated psychiatrically before facing any further legal action.
Police Arrested All Those Who Made Fake Replica of Kabba Including Carpenter.@BaramullaPolice pic.twitter.com/5kW1pzqHc0
— Kashmir Crown (@kashmircrownews) February 11, 2025
