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Following the sale of a 800-year-old key thought to be of the Kaaba for $18 million at Sotheby’s in London last month, Keeper of the Kaaba, Saleh Al-Shaybi, whose ancestors have safeguarded the key to the holy house for centuries, has called on wealthy Muslims the world over to help return the key to its rightful place. Shaybi, who would not elaborate whether the key is genuine or not, said, “It might have been sneaked out in olden times.” Saudi Historian, Hani Fairouzi wondered how the key could have been stolen and said its theft is no ordinary criminal act, but amounted to robbing the people as a whole. “It is saddening to learn that a priceless piece of legacy has been smuggled out from its rightful place. With all my admiration and regard for Saleh Al-Shaybi, I would like to point out that the keepers of the holy house are responsible for its keys as well,” he said.
Fairouzi said the Organization of Islamic Conference, the Muslim World League and all other Islamic associations should jointly work to return the key to Makkah. “UNESCO should take steps to stop the theft of such culturally and religiously significant items,” he added.
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