Prophet Image at U.S. Supreme Court Shows Taboos Aren’t Eternal
This article is for subscribers only.
Among ancient lawmakers including Moses, Solomon and Charlemagne featured in a marble frieze on the Supreme Court building in Washington D.C. stands the Prophet Muhammad, dressed in long robes and carrying a sword.
His inclusion caused a controversy in 1997, six decades after the panel was carved, when Muslim groups called for the likeness to be sanded down, arguing the portrayal was sacrilegious and defined their faith as one of violence. In response, a top Islamic law scholar instead declared the sculpture an honor bestowed by non-Muslims.