Yeah it would be "something" alright.
An defunct old testament ritual being performed as another tactic in fruitless battle between two religions misguidedly trapped in the old covenant.
Meanwhile certain scriputrally/spiritually challenged evangelicals will view this disaster and say "isn't that just lovely".
Noah's flood wasn't pleasant either, but perhaps you regard that as figurative and allegorical along with the millennial kingdom and acharit ha yamim.
"Take the mote from your own eye.."
Wow! In two sentences you trashed the beliefs of three religious groups, while absolving your own, of course.
I imagine given another sentence you could have added Hindus and Buddhists to the waste heap.
Are you a vegetarian? I only ask because of your seeming disgust with animal sacrifice. Does it bother you that the community often partook in consuming the sacrificed animal? Portions were earmarked for Cohanim (Priests), and for Levites who were supported in this fashion. Of course none of this holds a candle to human sacrifice or pain, if that's your thing.
Let me add that prayer preceded animal sacrifice, was supplanted by sacrifice only for those who could sojourn to the Temple, and remained the only means of worshipping once the Temple was destroyed.
Abraham instituted morning prayer, Yitchak afternoon prayer, and Yaakov evening prayer.
Finally, why is longing for denied access to one's holiest religious site a "fruitless battle?"
I think the "battle" here is a common one that takes place all over the world but is distressing to see on a conservative forum -- your equivalence of Jews and Muslims, and your condescension.