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Mecca, currently located in Saudi Arabia, does not match the topography or climate described in the Qur’an about the legendary city responsible for launching the second largest religion in the world. Its arid climate and distance from the main trade routes known to exist in the time of the Prophet, simply do not fit the new scientific data, Gibson says. The city of Petra in Jordan, however, seems to be the ideal location based on satellite imaging and terrain mapping of landmarks described in the sacred text.
While the documentary is bound to cause some discomfort among Islamic scholars and Muslim believers, it is worthy to note that Gibson is not at all antagonistic towards Islam or is trying to undermine its sacred scriptures. Quite the contrary. His hope is to bring to the attention of the Islamic world an issue which is of the upmost importance to the faith.