Recently, The Independent reported that a leading Saudi academic proposed that Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) grave should be destroyed and his remains be shifted to an anonymous location. The proposal arises from the mentality that any sort of reverence and love to the Prophet is shirk, Arabic for idolatry, which is a sin in Islam, or at the very least un-Islamic. Most Islamic sects, however, disagree and believe that the love of the Prophet is an essential part of the Islamic religion and it is perfectly acceptable to express love and affection towards him, be it by visiting his graves or singing his praises.

The attitude expressed in the proposal is not a new phenomenon. Almost 90 years ago, King Ibn Saud of Saudi Arabia ordered the demolition of the mausoleums of Jannat-al-Baqi, Islam’s most historic cemetery. The cemetery and other important Islamic sites have been the victim of desecration and destruction for centuries. Those who advocate such acts believe that visiting the mausoleums of some of Islam’s most revered and important personalities is idolatrous.

The destruction of holy sites is offensive to millions of Muslims who consider Saudi Arabia as the center of the Islamic world. These sites are important not only to Islamic history but to the world, given that the events that unfolded from them have defined the global landscape. To see these sites be decimated because of the beliefs of a single sect within Islam is saddening.

Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) grave is not just a religious site. It’s also an important cultural one. Medina, where he is buried, welcomed him and allowed him to rise to prominence, emerging as a center of the early stages of Islamic civilization. It led to a rich, powerful culture that spread quickly throughout the world. It is a disservice to Islam, its adherents and to those who have been affected by its unfolding as a global phenomenon.

The legacy of Muhammad (PBUH) goes beyond his grave. His legacy lies in the sweets Muslims eat on Eid and the love Muslims show to others because Allah made humanity into tribes so that they could know one another. The destruction of his grave will be one of the most tragic incidents in recent Islamic history. However, it will not stop people from singing songs about Muhammad or trying to interpret his message in a more mystical manner, such as the Islamic sect of Sufism. It will not purify religion and it will not bring Muslims closer to Muhammad’s teachings. It will only alienate Muslims further from Saudi Arabia.

This issue is not just about Islam or the Prophet. It is also about the importance of cultural sites and how they are important to a region’s history. The blatant disregard and destruction of these sites is even worse when the cultural sites represent a historic legacy, a transcontinental religion that and the culture that surrounds it. These sites might be handed down to the Muslims of the world but they are the heritage of humanity. And hence, it is our collective responsibility to protect and maintain our heritage.