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REL101I Brief #4 April 17, 2018 Word Count:

The National Geographic film, Inside Mecca, follows three Muslims during their pilgrimage to Mecca for Hajj. This pilgrimage is required by the Islamic religion to be completed one time during their life when they have actively chosen Islam as their religion (“Inside Mecca”). Only Muslims are allowed to step foot in Mecca and take part of the Hajj, and when this film was created it was the first time cameras were allowed to film in Mecca (“Inside Mecca”). One of the main reasons that Mecca is a holy place is because Abraham came Mecca to visit Haagan and Ishmael after abandoning them in the desert, during one of these visits God commanded Abraham to build the Kaaba (“Inside Mecca”). Over time people began to worship idols at the Kaaba and did not respect its integrity (“Inside Mecca”). Eventually Mohammad resorted the Kaaba and took away the idols. The film followed three people, Fidelma O’Leary, Khalil Mandhlazi, and Ismail Mahbob, that traveled to Mecca to take part in Hajj (“Inside Mecca”). Hajj lasts for five days, and is centered around the the axis mundi of Islam called Kaaba (“Inside Mecca”). During these five days Muslims take part in ceremonies that honor Hagar and Ishmael’s time in the dessert, as well as Abraham’s temptations by the devil to not sacrifice Ishmael (“Inside Mecca”). In the first day of the Hajj Muslims participate in tawaf and circle the kaaba seven times. They also run through the hills seven times, just as Hagar did when she was looking for water until the angel Gabriel showed them where to find an endless supply

of water. A tent city, which is called Mina, is also created where the Muslims seek shelter. The second day is quiet and full of contemplation at Mt. Arafat, where Muhammad preached his last sermon. At the end of the day they collect pebbles to stone the devil with. On the third day they participate in Jamarat, commemorating the stoning of the devil by Abraham. They also sacrifice an animal to represent the sacrifice (or almost sacrifice) of Ishmael. On the fourth day they stone 3 pillars to represent that Abraham was tempted three times by the devil and stoned him. On the last day, they go around the Kaaba seven times again and then take the journey to Medina, the burial place of Muhammad. The Hajj is supposed to promote gender, racial, and socio-economic equality. Equality was upheld by only allowing men to wear two plain white pieces of cloth, called iham, and sandals. However, women could wear any articles of clothing they want, but are obligated to cover their hair and cannot wear a niqab, burka, chador or anything else that covers their face. Hajj is also the only place that Islamic men and women can pray together in all of the ceremonies. The tent city in Mina also attempts to endorse equality, the tents are organized by nationality of number of people allowed to participate through a lottery system. The lottery system is in place because more people want to attend the Hajj than can be accommodated. The women that participate in Hajj must travel in groups with a letter from their mosque as well as a letter from a male in their family if they are over 45 years old, if they are not over 45 they must travel with a male guardian (“Inside Mecca”). The Hajj is overall somewhat successful in promoting equality. People are able to buy luxuries such as VIP tents that have air conditioning and catered food if they can afford it. People with higher incomes such as Ishmael are able to participate in reflection and contemplation on the second day of Hajj in an air conditioned tent while Khalil and many others reflected outside in the heat or in an uncomfortable hot tent

(“Inside Mecca”). In the video, equality of all people is emphasized, but Fidelma and Khalil are often ostracized and criticized for not looking like the typical Muslim (“Inside Mecca”).They are asked where they come from and if they are actually Muslim. They both must practice Ihram, meaning that they must be patient and avoid losing their temper (“Inside Mecca”). Hajj is a finitude, confirming, and mystical type of religious experience (Kessler, Studying Religion, 142). When Fidelma first saw the Kaaba in person she began to shake, cry, and described it as an overwhelming experience because she prayed toward this point for years and was finally able to be there and see it in person (“Inside Mecca”). This could be described as a sense of awe and wonder. During Hajj, Muslims deepen their connection with God and their Muslim community and are able to leave with a clean slate (“Inside Mecca”). People say that when they leave Hajj they are never the same. This is shown to others by cutting or shaving their hair (“Inside Mecca”). During each day of Hajj, Muslims confirm their religious beliefs and become more aware of the divine and God. They are expected and willing to share their experiences and spread the word of God following Hajj. The functions of these religious experience are social and religious (Kessler, Studying Religion, 142). It is a religious function because Muslims are created an even stronger bond with God and gain a new perspective and appreciation for their religion. Hajj is also a social function because Muslims are meeting and connecting to other Muslims they otherwise would not have interacted with (Kessler, Studying Religion, 142). The rituals practiced at Hajj could be considered salvation and ideological rituals (Kessler, Studying Religion). At Hajj Muslim’s identities are changed, they are able to have a clean slate and repent and plead with God for forgiveness. They renew their connection with God by performing sacred actions. To commemorate and remember their roots, Muslims walk around

the Kaaba seven times representing their devotion to one God (“Inside Mecca”). Hajj is an experience that Muslims must complete but also want to participate in. This is the foundation of an ideological ritual because it is part of the five pillars of Islam. Hajj only counts if a Muslim is able to actively accept Islam into their life as an adult (“Inside Mecca”). People that go to Hajj are forever a part of a community that has seen the Kaaba and been to Mecca in order to fully understand what it means to be a Muslim (“Inside Mecca”). The functions of these religious experiences are religious, social, and psychological. The purpose of Hajj is to connect with the divine and find a personal connection to the religion and to other Muslims (“Inside Mecca”). The social function of the religious experience is to create bonds between Islamic people (“Inside Mecca”). The reason that people are supposed to dress alike and be equal is so that everyone understands that they are equal in the eyes of God. Muslims are able to interact with people they would have otherwise not met or bonded with. By reflecting and praying in Mt. Arafat they are able to find a renewed sense of purpose within oneself and within the world (“Inside Mecca”).

Works cited Kessler, Gary E. Studying Religion: An Introduction Through Cases. 3rd edition. New York: McGraw-Hill Higher Education, 2008.

Mehdi, Anisa. National Geographic Inside Mecca 2003.

(16 April 2018)....