# Will Moussaoui get a pointer to Mecca? **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [May 6, 2006, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-moussaoui-get-a-pointer-to-mecca/355692 "2006-05-06T19:52:55Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2006, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-moussaoui-get-a-pointer-to-mecca/355692/1 "2006-05-06T19:52:55Z")
This scumbag is probably going to spend the rest of his life somewhere **very** secure. Probably locked up 23 hours per day. I don’t have any objection to that. But will they provide him with a pointer to Mecca? On the one hand he’ll need it so he can pray; on the other, would it not be considered cruel and unusual to have a permanent reminder of his crime? ---
**Author:** ![Otto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Otto)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2006, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-moussaoui-get-a-pointer-to-mecca/355692/2 "2006-05-06T19:54:18Z")
Um, wouldn’t being in prison every day for the rest of his life be a “permanent reminder of his crime”? Was this really supposed to be in the Pit? Because the rant, she is missing. ---
**Author:** ![Moirai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/96bed5/32.png) [@Moirai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moirai)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2006, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-moussaoui-get-a-pointer-to-mecca/355692/3 "2006-05-06T19:56:17Z")
Yes, they will tell him in which direction to pray. He may also have a window, which might allow him to figure out the cardinal points of the compass. ---
**Author:** ![rayh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e79b87/32.png) [@rayh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rayh)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2006, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-moussaoui-get-a-pointer-to-mecca/355692/4 "2006-05-06T19:56:21Z")
How is a pointer to Mecca a “permanent reminder of his crime”? ---
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2006, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-moussaoui-get-a-pointer-to-mecca/355692/5 "2006-05-06T20:35:44Z")
At Guantanamo Bay each of the cells has a _qibla_, or indicator of the direction of Mecca, painted in it. [(Sez here.)](http://www.thelyceum.net/politics/delta.html) I don’t see why Moussaoui’s cell wouldn’t be similarly equipped. And I concur with the apparently unanimous (except for the OP, of course) incomprehension about why a _qibla_ would possibly be considered cruel or unusual punishment. If a fanatical extremist Christian terrorist blows up an abortion clinic and gets sent away for it, would it be cruel or unusual to allow him to have a Bible? ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2006, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-moussaoui-get-a-pointer-to-mecca/355692/6 "2006-05-06T20:37:41Z")
> [@Kimstu](#): > > At Guantanamo Bay each of the cells has a _qibla_, or indicator of the direction of Mecca, painted in it. [(Sez here.)](http://www.thelyceum.net/politics/delta.html) I don’t see why Moussaoui’s cell wouldn’t be similarly equipped. I suspect he’d have to ask for it, but if he does, I’m certain he’ll get it (as he should). ---
**Author:** ![Angua](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8baadc/32.png) [@Angua](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Angua)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2006, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-moussaoui-get-a-pointer-to-mecca/355692/7 "2006-05-06T20:37:42Z")
> [@rayh](#): > > How is a pointer to Mecca a “permanent reminder of his crime”? Quite. The command for Muslims to pray facing Mecca is a requirement for **all** Muslims, not just the extremist bastards. The circumstances under which he will be held are well [described](http://www.guardian.co.uk/international/story/0,,1767882,00.html) in various places. It would appear that at least some accommodation will be made to enable him to practise his religion, but obviously, geographical information will be made nigh upon impossible for him to obtain. If no pointer, even if its an arrow painted onto the wall, is provided, then its not really imposing some sort of horrible deprivation. As you might expect, what to do when you don’t know what direction Mecca is in has been considered in Islamic law, albeit under different circumstances. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2006, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-moussaoui-get-a-pointer-to-mecca/355692/8 "2006-05-06T20:44:16Z")
He will reportedly not be allowed contact with Ramzi Yousef - that would be a reminder of his crime, and probably not a good one, either. ---
**Author:** ![Revtim](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/revtim/32/1042_2.png) [@Revtim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revtim)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2006, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-moussaoui-get-a-pointer-to-mecca/355692/9 "2006-05-06T22:36:09Z")
In general, if a Muslim doesn’t know which way Mecca is, and has no hope of knowing for sure, what next? Like, for example, if he or she is lost in wilderness and dying. Or jailed in a less accommodating country. Are they to abstain from prayer? Do they pray anyway, and it’s not a big deal? I’m talking about the average Muslim here. Is there a commonly held belief in the Muslim community about this type of situation? ---
**Author:** ![SteveG1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bb73d2/32.png) [@SteveG1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SteveG1)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2006, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-moussaoui-get-a-pointer-to-mecca/355692/10 "2006-05-06T22:51:56Z")
I see no reason not to let him know which direction is Mecca. Imprisonment is his punishment. To add other “features” would violate the cruel and unusual clause - specifically the unusual part. ---
**Author:** ![Wolfian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/7ea924/32.png) [@Wolfian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wolfian)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2006, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-moussaoui-get-a-pointer-to-mecca/355692/11 "2006-05-06T23:16:09Z")
> [@SteveG1](#): > > I see no reason not to let him know which direction is Mecca. Imprisonment is his punishment. To add other “features” would violate the cruel and unusual clause - specifically the unusual part. You serious? ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2006, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-moussaoui-get-a-pointer-to-mecca/355692/12 "2006-05-06T23:19:01Z")
I doubt he’s kidding, and I think he’s probably right. ---
**Author:** ![Leaper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/4bbf92/32.png) [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2006, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-moussaoui-get-a-pointer-to-mecca/355692/13 "2006-05-06T23:29:58Z")
No, cruel and unusual would be to put a compass design in the floor that spins in a random direction and speed every night at midnight. Or to move him every night while he’s asleep to a random cell that looks exactly the same, but has the features pointing in a different direction. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2006, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-moussaoui-get-a-pointer-to-mecca/355692/14 "2006-05-06T23:34:35Z")
No, that would be _hilarious_ and unusual. Stopping him from practicing his religion would be cruel. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2006, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-moussaoui-get-a-pointer-to-mecca/355692/15 "2006-05-06T23:36:19Z")
No, that would be _hilarious_ and unusual. Stopping him from practicing his religion would be cruel. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2006, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-moussaoui-get-a-pointer-to-mecca/355692/16 "2006-05-06T23:35:15Z")
No, that would be _hilarious_ and unusual. Stopping him from practicing his religion would be cruel. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2006, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-moussaoui-get-a-pointer-to-mecca/355692/17 "2006-05-06T23:41:05Z")
Sonofabitch! ---
**Author:** ![rayh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e79b87/32.png) [@rayh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rayh)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2006, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-moussaoui-get-a-pointer-to-mecca/355692/18 "2006-05-07T00:05:09Z")
Making him read the same post 3 times is cruel. ---
**Author:** ![EddyTeddyFreddy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eddyteddyfreddy/32/18796_2.png) [@EddyTeddyFreddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EddyTeddyFreddy)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2006, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-moussaoui-get-a-pointer-to-mecca/355692/19 "2006-05-07T00:13:53Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > Sonofabitch! No, it’s a 1920’s style “death ray.” ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2006, 12:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-moussaoui-get-a-pointer-to-mecca/355692/20 "2006-05-07T00:17:34Z")
No, three times was about right. That _would_ be hilarious. 😃 [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-moussaoui-get-a-pointer-to-mecca/355692.md?page=2)