(Did you know the place in Mecca where all Muslims must go is the place where Abraham was asked to kill his son?)Where in the world did you get this from? Since I don't "know it" educate me.
My understanding and readings are that it happened on
Mount Moria where the Temple was to be built later.
I'm really looking forward to this!
Here's what I was told by an Iranian Muslim -- what's located in the center at Mecca is the alter on which the sacrifice was to be made. Alters can be moved? I didn't ask a lot of questions. At the time (pre 9/11) I only had a passing interest in the story, so I wouldn't bet the farm on all of it ... but I do know the building in the center of Mecca is connected to Abraham. My concern is cultures have myths they live by -- myths that get incorporated in ways that aren't challenged. And near absolute authority is one of those... Each Imam has the power to sentence a person to death. This doesn't exist in modern religions. When UBL wanted permission to nuke the US, he didn't have to get "permission" beyond the equivalent of a parish priest. Frightening. It implies worse.
Too many ideas have gone unchallenged in the middle east - and within their xenophobic cultures, it's fine, well, fine until they come in contact with others. Then it's deadly. Lots of puzzle pieces to be put together - but this I know -- understanding the enemy opens up one more level we can fight them on...