Muslims Worship the Kaabah

These days negative concepts and perceptions from all regions on Islam is too severe. Yet, even we, muslims  (who are readily born as one) too, have these problems of answering such questions due to lack of knowledge when it comes to understanding the whole act towards everything we are taught to do in worshipping the All Mighty. Now, here's a question seldom asked by non-muslims. And for those in this religion who wonder as well.

"when islam is against idol worship, why do the muslims worship, and bow down to the Kaaba in the their prayer?"

After you go here, once you arrive back in your country, praying, looking at the sajadah where there's an image of the kaabah, you'd be "oh, I've been looking at the real Kaabah 9 hours ago". Luckily, I could snap this when I got the chance. (february 2013)

answer:

Kaaba is the Qibla i.e the direction Muslims face during their prayers. It is important to note that though  Muslims face the Kaaba during their prayers, they do not worship the Kaabah. Muslims worship and bow to none but Allah.
It is mentioned in Surah Baqarah:

     "we see the turning of thy face (for guidance) to the heavens: now shall We turn thee to a Qiblah that shall please thee. Turn then thy face in the direction of the Sacred Mosque: wherever ye are, turn your faces in that direction.[Al-Quran 2:144] "

1. Islam believes in fostering unity. 
   For instance, if muslims want to offer salaah (prayer), it is possible that some may wish to face north, while some wish to face south. in order to unite muslims in their worship of the One True God, Muslims, wherever they may be, are asked to face in only one direction. The Kaabah.

2. Kaaba is at the Centre of the World Map.
    The Muslims were the first people to draw the map of the world. They drew the map with the south facing upwards and north facing downwards. The Kaaba was at the centre, Later, western cartographers drew the map upside down with the north facing upwards and the south facing downwards. Yet, alhamdulillah, the Kaaba is still at the centre of the world map.

3. Tawaaf around the Kaaba for indicating one God.
   When the Muslims go to Masjidil Haran in Makkah, they perform tawaaf or circumambulation round the Kaaba. This act symbolizes the belief and worship of One God, since just as every circle has one centre, so there is only one Allah SWT to worship.

4. People stood on Kaaba and gave the azan (call to prayer). At the time of the Prophet, people even stood on the Kaaba and did the similar thing, One may ask those who allege that Muslims worship the Kaabah -which idol worshipper stands on the idol he worships?


Now, those are the reasons and explanations on the current issue relating to Kaaba. :)
source: Most Common Questions Asked by Non Muslims -Dr. Zakir Naik.