April 15, 2006 11:27 AM PDT We had really hoped to confirm recent blog reports that a massive Apple Computer store going up in midtown Manhattan, aka "Apple Mecca," will be the company's first retail outlet open 24 hours a day.
But, alas, an Apple spokesman said the company isn't ready to confirm, deny or make any official announcements about the store, so we can only offer our observations, and point to what others have written The store--which will reportedly be 25,000 square feet--is lo***ed in the underground retail plaza of the General Motors Building on Fifth Avenue between 58th and 59th streets, according to a February Think Secret report. Our photographer confirmed Friday that construction is well underway on a cube-shaped above-ground entrance to the building.
By all accounts, the store is supposed to open sometime in late May, and might also be the first store to feature an iPod Bar.
We were particularly impressed with the San Francisco Chronicle Culture Blog's observation that the "Mecca's" above-ground entrance "bears an uncanny resemblance to the big black Ka'bah (AKA: The House O' Abraham) to whence all Islamic pilgrims take their grueling mandatory hajj."
Makes sense, the blog adds, "because it shall be open 24 hours a day, seven days a week and hence shall be the place New Yorkers shall take a holy pilgrimage whenever they crave a new iPod Nano at 4:00 am or when they desperately need to have the Mac geeks at the Genius Bar instruct them on how to purge all the gay teen chat transcripts and German fetish porn from their iBooks before their Senate confirmation hearings."
For what it's worth, we did find Apple job postings for the Midtown store, and no mention of 24-7 work.
I find it really disrespectful when people do this. There's a company called 'Mecca Bingo', which I am surprised hasn't been sued to pieces yet, as far as I know, things like bingo are forbidden to us. I think we should sue all these companies that abuse our religion for advertising purposes.
...and just who would be the suing party? The government of Saudi Arabia I presume?
Muslim organsations should do it. Have you ever noticed that when people do this to other goups, there's always an uproar, but when this happens to us, we're too lazy to do anything.
If that happens things will probably get rather violent, like the cartoon controversy. If violent things like that occur, it will just reinforce the false idea that we are all free-speech-hating murderers. That's much worse than the corperate abuse that started the whole thing.
We should get peaceful Islamic organisations to come and speak against this, and if the don't stop, they should sue them. That way, no one will get hurt, except from people's savings.
Alphadude, Mecca is not just the name of a place, it's the name of the most important place on Earth for us. It should not be used to fill people's pockets. I have a problem with people using a place of religious significance to us being used to promote haram activities like gambling or music.
Chill out... what exactly is the problem with this? This kind of peasant mentality is just going to reinforce the notion that people in the west have built about muslims being backward and barbaric.
Why are we supposed to care about the opinions of the West?
Salam
Technically, the Holy city is spelt like Makkah. That's how it is pronounced as well..But companies lyk Mecca Bingo r trying to represent their estabilishment similar to the gathering of pilgrimages in Makkah..
Wasalam
*Al-Hasan al-Basri was once asked: "Why is it that we cannot uphold prayers at night?" He answered: "You are shackled in your own sins".*
I agree this shouldn't really be a focus of any criticism. It's word that is quite secular in the English language. I'm more worried about then British soliders in Iraq murdering then British nannies in a community centre playing bingo.
Chill out... what exactly is the problem with this? This kind of peasant mentality is just going to reinforce the notion that people in the west have built about muslims being backward and barbaric
Is this the western civilization?!!
is it democracy to harm others ?
I retract my earlier comments. I thought it was only a name. They are emulating the actual Ka'bah and I do find that quite disrespectful.
1Have you (O Muhammad (Peace be upon him)) not seen how your Lord dealt with the Owners of the Elephant? (The elephant army which came from Yemen under the command of Abrahah Al-Ashram intending to destroy the Kabah at Makkah). 2Did He not make their plot go astray? 3And sent against them birds, in flocks, 4Striking them with stones of Sijjeel. 5And made them like an empty field of stalks (of which the corn has been eaten up by cattle).
We had really hoped to confirm recent blog reports that a massive Apple Computer store going up in midtown Manhattan, aka "Apple Mecca," will be the company's first retail outlet open 24 hours a day.
But, alas, an Apple spokesman said the company isn't ready to confirm, deny or make any official announcements about the store, so we can only offer our observations, and point to what others have written.
The store--which will reportedly be 25,000 square feet--is located in the underground retail plaza of the General Motors Building on Fifth Avenue between 58th and 59th streets, according to a February Think Secret report. Our photographer confirmed Friday that construction is well underway on a cube-shaped above-ground entrance to the building.
By all accounts, the store is supposed to open sometime in late May, and might also be the first store to feature an iPod Bar.
Makes sense, the blog adds, "because it shall be open 24 hours a day, seven days a week and hence shall be the place New Yorkers shall take a holy pilgrimage whenever they crave a new iPod Nano at 4:00 am or when they desperately need to have the Mac geeks at the Genius Bar instruct them on how to purge all the gay teen chat transcripts and German fetish porn from their iBooks before their Senate confirmation hearings."
For what it's worth, we did find Apple job postings for the Midtown store, and no mention of 24-7 work.
reminds me of Abraha, and what he later planned to do!
1 Seest thou not how thy Lord dealt with the Companions of the Elephant?
2 Did He not make their treacherous plan go astray?
3 And He sent against them Flights of Birds,
4 Striking them with stones of baked clay.
5 Then did He make them like an empty field of stalks and straw, (of which the corn) has been eaten up.
i can so imagine it opening. people dancing singing and getting hammered. its starts raining, then some more and they are all swallowed up. every single person who will be there.
may Allah curse them and send down His punishment on them!
Our Lord! Verily, we have heard the call of one calling to Faith: 'Believe in your Lord,' and we have believed.
Our Lord! Forgive us our sins and expiate from us our evil deeds, and make us die (in the state of righteousness) along with Al-Abrar
I really doubt there will be that much trouble. For instance, here in the UK there's 'Mecca Bingo'. Nobody makes a fuss about it though, because if they did, even shouting too loudly might set those old dears' hearts a flutter.
I do agree that the word 'Mecca' has become cheapened by its common and generic usage.
the reason why she is upset is because the name Makkah is that of our holy city,,,and now that people are using it evrywhere just for leisure or to make fun of islam or whatever, it is offensive in a way....dont you think
Hey there! Looks like you're enjoying the discussion, but you're not signed up for an account.
When you create an account, we remember exactly what you've read, so you always come right back where you left off. You also get notifications, here and via email, whenever new posts are made. And you can like posts and share your thoughts. Sign Up
NY Apple 'Mecca' rumored to be open 24-7
Hide
Looks like you're enjoying the discussion, but you're not signed up for an account.
Posting Permissions
Updated 24/7
Bookmarks