These days Muslims all around the world are marking Eid al-Adha, the most important Islamic holiday. Some three million people have made the pilgrimage to Mecca.
Gaddafi believes the holiday offers a great opportunity to bring the three main monotheistic religions closer together. “Everyone has the right to stand atop Mount Arafat and circle the Kaaba,” he told the media.
“The Kaaba is not meant for Arabs alone, but for people of all continents; the mistake was that they granted this privilege only to Mohammad’s descendents, but the Quran does not support this.”
The Libyan leader warned of the dangers of exploiting religion, warning that it could foster terror and destruction.
Half a year ago Gaddafi made similar remarks saying that the Kaaba is the house of God and all the people of the world should encircle it when Prophet Mohammad returns.
"We are the followers of Prophet Mohammad but our position today is wrong because we are preventing them from worshiping God and encircling the Kaaba," he said.
Gaddafi criticized Saddam Hussein's execution saying it was worthless and irrelevant.