Verse 928 bans mushriks (that is those who set up partners besides God, which according to the Quran includes Sunnis and Shiites too) from coming near the Masjid al-Haram (Restricted Place of Prostration), which is commonly known as Kaba. I think this is justified since the Masjid was originally built to invoke God alone; it is not a museum or zoo. I do not know why people use this verse to justify their answer. According to my knowledge, if we read the verse in context then it clearly speaks only about those Mushriks who broke the treaty with Muslims. If we read carefully then it says only the sacred mosque. Not the entire city Makkah and Madina. What is surprising is that the various forms of answers to this question. Let me share a opinion of a Scholar (I did not vote him to be the scholar though) Islam Q and A Praise be to Allaah. Firstly It is not permissible allow the kuffaar to take up residence in the Arabian Peninsula. The scholars differed at to the definition of the boundaries of the Arabian Peninsula, but they did not differ as to the fact that Madeenah is part of it. Ibn Qudaamah said It is not permissible for any of them (the kuffaar) to live in the Hijaaz. This is the view of Maalik and al-Shaafa?i, but Maalik said I think that they should be expelled from all the Arab lands, because the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said ?Two religions cannot coexist in the Arabian Peninsula.? Abu Dawood narrated with his isnaad from ?Umar that he heard the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) say ?I will certainly expel the Jews and the Christians from the Arabian Peninsula,, and I will not leave anyone there but Muslims.? Al-Tirmidhi said this is a saheeh hasan hadeeth. And it was narrated that Ibn ?Abbaas said The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) left behind three instructions. He said Expel the mushrikeen from the Arabian Peninsula, honour the delegations the way that I do, and he kept quiet about the third. Narrated by Abu Dawood. Al-Mughni, 9/285, 286. Secondly It is permissible for kuffaar to enter Madeenah for the purposes of trade, without staying there. They should be given enough time (to complete their business) then they should be told to leave. Ibn Qudaamah (may Allaah have mercy on him) said It is permissible for them to enter the Hijaaz for the purpose of trade, because the Christians used to trade with Madeenah at the time of ?Umar (may Allaah be pleased with him). An old Christian man came to him in Madeenah and said ?I am an old Christian man and your agent has taken the tithe from me twice.? ?Umar said ?I am an old monotheist (haneef) man,? and ?Umar wrote to the agent and said ?Only take the tithe once in a year, and do not allow them to stay for more than three days.? This is what was narrated from ?Umar (may Allaah be pleased with him) and they should leave after that. Al-Qaadi said Four days is the limit after which a traveller must offer prayers in full. Al-Mughni, 9/286. Thirdly What we have mentioned about Madeenah and its sanctuary does not apply to the sanctuary of Makkah. The kuffaar are forbidden to enter it under any circumstances. It says in al-Mawsoo?ah al-Fiqhiyyah (3/130, 131) The majority of scholars ? including Muhammad ibn al-Hasan among the Hanafis ? are of the view that it is not permissible for kuffaar to enter the sanctuary of Makkah at all, The view of the Hanafis is that that is permissible if there is a treaty or they have permission. With regard to the sanctuary of Madeenah, it is not forbidden for them to enter to bring a message, for trade or to bring some goods. A kaafir may not enter other parts of the Arab lands without permission or a treaty. The fuqaha? have discussed this matter in detail.Ends. And Allaah knows best. http//www.islam-qa.com/en/ref/47736/non%20muslims%20not%20allowed%20makkah Another version "O you who believe(in All?h's Oneness and His Messenger Muhammad &#1605! Verily, the Mushrikun(polytheists, pagans, idolaters, disbelievers in the Oneness of All?h, and in the Message of Muhammad &#1605 are Najasun (impure). So let them not come near Al-Masjiadal-Har?m (at Makkah) after this year; and if you fear poverty, All?h will enrich you if He wills, out of His Bounty. Surely, All?h is All-Knowing, All-Wise." -- Qur?an, 928 http//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mecca Oh God what is truth actually? I am just confused. However, this restriction that is related to a building has been extended to the whole city. Well, while they were at it they decided to fabricate another Restricted Place of Prostration in Yathrib (they changed even the name of the city to Medina) and then they added the entire city to the restriction. I did not know this. Can you elaborate, please? If you would like to study a Quran that does not consider hearsay collections and sectarian teachings as secondary sources besides the Quran, I recommend you the Quran a Reformist Translation. Its electronic version is available at www.quranix.com for free. Ok I will read. Thank you for sharing.