A new landmark is suddenly appearing in the heart of Sydney CBD on Martin Place – so what is it?

A new monument was temporarily installed in the heart of Sydney’s CBD, with many people walking past without realizing its significance to many Australians.

The monument, located at the eastern end of Martin Place, near Macquarie Street, is a replica of the Holy Kaaba, an important symbol in Islam that plays a central role in Muslim worship.

The replica, which has since been removed, contained passages from the Quran in gold letters and was protected by a metal fence.

The Kaaba, also known as al-Ka’ba al-Musharrafa, is considered the holiest site in Islam. It is a stone structure located in the center of the Grand Mosque, the Masjid al-Haram, in Mecca, Saudi Arabia.

Every year, millions of Muslims make the pilgrimage to the Kaaba during the Hajj, a week-long event that takes place in the 12th and final month of the Islamic calendar.

Muslims also turn to the Kaaba in Mecca when they pray.

A Sydney City Council spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia it was the third year the replica had been installed as part of a cultural celebration.

“Sydney is a global, multicultural city that celebrates our diverse communities,” a spokesperson for the City of Sydney said.

A replica of the Holy Kaaba – a stone building at the center of the Grand Mosque in Mecca, considered Islam’s holiest site – was erected on Martin Place.

“This is the third year we have approved the installation of this temporary religious monument on Martin Place.”

‘This event is a cultural celebration organized by a registered charity and involves a musical performance attended by families.’

The City of Sydney explained that Martin Place has hosted a series of religious events, including Christmas in the City, the annual Walk with Christ Eucharistic Procession and Hanukkah in the city.

Many Australians praised the council for placing the monument on Martin Place as it showed Australia was a multicultural country with freedom of expression.

“I’m not a fan of pandering to any religion,” one person wrote. “That said, I’m a fan of freedom and anything that can bring people together.

“As a society, we need to show others within our society that what they believe and practice (within the laws and framework of our agreed and accepted constitution) is okay and encouraged.”

A second person added: ‘I know Australia is a Christian society and governed by Christian laws, but we also value the right of others to celebrate their religion in peace.’

However, some opposed the monument.

Senator Mark Latham, a member of the New South Wales Legislative Council, urged the Sydney City Council to “maintain a separation between church and state.”

“I think it’s just plain wrong to have it here, we should have a separation of church and state. This is a public space managed by the council,” Mr Latham shared Michael Smith News.

The replica, which has since been removed, was erected as part of a cultural celebration

‘I’ve been walking up and down Martin Place a lot, all I’ve seen here is this Muslim replica. you don’t see a replica of a Christian church, a Jewish synagogue, a Buddhist temple or anything like that.’

“The symbols and memorials in Martin Place… these are all points of national unity and national focus. Instead of just one religion.’

Mr Latham claimed the monument would ’embolden’ a subset of Muslims who used Islam as a point of division, especially in the form of ‘illegal protests’.

“It’s better for Australia to stay out of that and not have these kinds of Islamic symbols in the middle of Martin Place,” Latham said.