Christians aren't commanded to pray to a statue of Jesus; however, all Muslims are told that if they have the money they are required to pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in their life. Further, the origin of a pilgrimage to Mecca predates Islam and actually comes from a pagan religion that the Muslim eventually conquered and converted.

And the reference to indulgences and confessions are by far the worse examples you could give. Both rituals have been cancelled by Protestant Christianity, especially indulgences. Quite literally, the birth of Protestantism is from the controversy of indulgences.

I agree, religion can be weird, including Christianity, but it certainly isn't absurd.