Here in America we sometimes come across popular phrases or other things that refer to other cultures. For example, every American football fan knows what a 'Hail Mary' pass is. The situation is desperate, you need a touchdown. So you throw the ball up and pray.
This catholic reference reflects the beloved figures and institutions in America, a primarily Protestant but diverse country, that are Catholic and are beloved of many Protestants all across America. In this case, the Catholic University of Notre Dame and its beloved American football program.
This reference reflects diversity in America. Other cultural references reflect ancient roots.
To this day in America when you want to call someplace a great center of something, we call it a Mecca of the thing it is known for. Like for example, New York City is a Mecca of modern jazz.
The rising young western Europe of the High Middle Ages got so many things from Islamic civilization. Most of our science, the science we built upon to create our own tradition of science, was Islamic science. Europe was so advanced in science because we learned it from Islam. Poetry. Medieval chivalric poetry takes inspiration from Arabic chivalric poetry in Islamic Spain. Many architectural techniques were brought in from Islamic Spain.
These roots are reflected when we call a place a Mecca of something in modern America. Even if we don't realize that we are referring to the great sacred city of Islam, those roots are so deep that we know what we mean when we call someplace a Mecca of something. It means a great center of something, like Mecca as a center of Islam.
Here's to those deep roots in Islam in the west- the many things that Europe and America got from Islamic civilization.
God loves you! Allahu Akbar!
Sincerely,
David S. Annderson