Posted on 10/10/2006 2:52:04 PM PDT by absalom01
Apple's "Mecca Project" Provokes Muslim Reaction
On October 10, 2006, an Islamic website posted a message alerting Muslims to what it claims is a new insult to Islam. According to the message, the cube-shaped building which is being constructed in New York City, on Fifth Avenue between 58th and 59th Streets in midtown Manhattan, is clearly meant to provoke Muslims. The fact that the building resembles the Ka'ba (see picture below), is called "Apple Mecca," is intended to be open 24 hours a day like the Ka'ba, and moreover, contains bars selling alcoholic beverages, constitutes a blatant insult to Islam. The message urges Muslims to spread this alert, in hope that "Muslims will be able to stop the project."
Yes it is. There used to be a TGI Fridays' down there but it closed a few years ago. The building on who's property it sits is the GM building, and is home to FAO Schwarz, Estee Lauder Corp, and the CBS morning Show. (It's a block from my office...I pass it every day)
"I reluctantly provide a link to an unpleasant thread at the SF gate blog from last spring... "
Wow, that is an unpleasant link. Most of those people commenting clearly have no clue. Shoot first - ponder later.
May be listed elsewhere, but here is another link to the store
http://www.apple.com/retail/fifthavenue/gallery/
Yes. It is called a square. Or in the three dimensional sense, a cube. It offends all of islam. Squares are banned.
Lol
Why is its name Apple?
Apple claimed the right to free speech under the First Amendment and again won. This prompted Apple to change the name for the 7100 again to "LAW," known internally as meaning "Lawyers Are Wimps."
From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Notable_litigation_of_Apple_Computer#Libel_dispute_with_Carl_Sagan.
Exactly what is foolish about an all-glass entry to a retail store?
It's a tribute to the goddess-mother, Eve, and her supreme sacrifice of angering the patriarchal man-deity for the sake of bringing the pleasure of sex to the world.
Oh... you're serious?
Okay, so there are some similarities between the the Apple Store entrance under construction and the ka'aba. Major differences:
The people who visit this cube are typically educated and happy.
The culture behind this cube has moved beyond the 15th century.
Nobody has ever destroyed buildings and murdered thousands out of devotion to this cube.
The apple symbolized simplicity and the bite out of the apple in the later versions symbolized the acquisition of knowledge and also so that it wouldn't look like a tomato. The multi-colored apple was to show off Apple II's color display.
Are Borg implants halal?
That's god news. Trademark law is about preventing confusion in the marketplace, and there can be no confusion unless Apple starts directly licensing Beatles songs -- because that's all Apple Corp is known for.
Note the Ford for Senate sign. He has surprising strength in the area.
The actual store is stunning.
Here are pictures of the store. The first image is of the store before the unveiling. Scroll down to see what the actual design looks like.
They probably got the idea of it being Mecca by stories that said stuff like "This new store is going to be Mecca for Apple fans." I don't think Apple itself ever used the term when describing the store.
We wouldn't have much of a culture left if we complied every time they started to feel insulted :-(. I'm afraid they will just have to be as insulted as can be on this one.
Hopefully someone will explain that alcohol was never served at the Genius Bar. Sadly, they discontinued their opening day policy of giving away small bottles of Evian to Genius Bar attendees. I suppose it would have cost millions of dollars a year :-(.
D
That all-glass stair rocks, too.
Nice photos!
The Pope sneezes towards Mecca....the Muslims are offended and riot in the streets.
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