Tuesday, July 10, 2012

Mystery Lost

This might be the most infuriating and depressing headline I have ever read.

From FrontPageMag.com: Calls to Destroy Egypt’s Great Pyramids Begin

According to what the article describes as reports coming from the Arabic media, "prominent Muslim clerics have begun to call for the demolition of Egypt’s Great Pyramids—or, in the words of Saudi Sheikh Ali bin Said al-Rabi‘i, those 'symbols of paganism'."

Right. So, if you're like me, your first question should be "ARE YOU FUCKING SERIOUS?!" An valid question, properly followed by a careful query of "Why?" What possible reason could you have for wanting destroy one of the world's greatest archaeological mysteries, forever denying future generations the delight of looking upon these massive mountains from another era.

The "why" of the issue is thankfully provided by the article. Now, admittedly, I know about fuck-all in regards to Muslim history. It is one area where my personal knowledge is sadly lacking, so if anyone out there can confirm or deny anything in this article, or clarify any piece of it for me so I can digest this a little easier, please speak up in the comments.

My understanding of the issue goes like this. A companion of the Muslim Prophet Muhammad, Amr bin al-As and his Arabian tribesmen, conquered Egypt in 641 AD. From there they embarked on a mission of destroying the local heritage, plagued with pagan images and impurities, with a fervor fit to make a Crusader jealous of their zeal. The article even mentions that while many Western scholars disagree, early Muslim writers attribute the fall of the Library of Alexandria to these same hands.

Yet no matter how much momentum they may have gained melting down statues for precious metals and burning ancient manuscripts, it takes a bit more than a pitchfork and a torch to take down the Great Pyramid. For nearly 1400 years they stood, an apparent thorn in the foot of fundamentalists for centuries. And let's be honest, it's not exactly like they can look the other way, the fucking things are gigantic.

Let's all just hope that some voice of reason hears about this damn soon and throws a stake in the spokes of this machine. This story serves as a perfect example of why I will never understand the great majority of humanity. What the fuck gives someone the idea that they have the right to destroy someone else's heritage based on their own perceptions of its pagan nature? How does one cultivate such an utter lack of respect for other cultures? And honestly, you've fucking deal with their presence for 1400 years. No demons have erupted out of the apex of these monoliths. No plague of locusts has come flooding through the pyramids to salt the land with the tears of the afflicted. Why is it so fucking difficult for people to just leave well enough alone, to live and let live? Guess what kids - on a long enough timeline, the survival rate for everyone goes to Zero. Get the goddamn twist out of your panties and learn to let shit slide once in awhile. You'll enjoy The Ride much more. Trust me.



Don't you let that Deal Go Down.

Three Monkeys Say: Maybe they just need another Dead show to come around...38 years is a damn long time

No comments:

Post a Comment