it's just like the same bunch of radical Moslems (Wahabbis/Salafis -- sponsored by Saudia) who destroyed the 1400 year old tombs of the first Caliphs and Mohammed's wives in Mecca. The Saudis were about to destroy Mohammed's tomb as well but were stopped by Moslem outcry from around the world.
to Captain Rhino -- note that the ones doing the destroying are/were radical Sunnis. The Shia's (12'ers like the Shias in Iran and Iraq but also 5ers like the Ismailis and Bohris) and Ibadis will oppose this as will the mystical Sunnis -- the Sufis
The opposition of the Muslim world will have no more effect on the radical Sunnis, Wahabbis, and Salafis, than did the outcry over the destruction of the Buddhas of Bamiyan. They simply view anyone and anything not falling within their very constrained circle of faith to be unworthy of consideration. The fact that others, regardless of faith, regarded the tombs, the ancient manuscripts, or the ancient statues as part of the cultural and artistic heritage of mankind only excites them to commit these acts because they know the pain it will cause. This is unconstrained nihilism being carried out by self-empowered adult men who have no more maturity than teenage boys.
We are already seeing desecrations of religious buildings, graves, and public monuments in Europe by young Muslim men who have fallen under the sway of this thinking. (Not to mention the murders, rapes, etc. arising from the same community.) Can there be any doubt of what would remain if such an ideology were to gain ascendancy in the West?
Only force deters them; only the grave will stop them.