I have just returned from an Umrah trip to the Holy City of Mecca.
During our initial arrival in Saudi Arabia, we had broken our fast in the car (around 6:10 pm). As soon as I entered the vicinity of Mecca, a serene peace of mind enveloped me. This is not an uncommon feeling for a Muslim. And it would last for days while we were in the city, fasting, praying and reading the Holy Koran.
After checking into our hotel, we swiftly ventured into al-Masjidu'l-Ḥarām and performed the Umrah. The crowds literally standing shoulder to shoulder but the sentiment of performing the Umraa and completing it was splendid. No matter how many times one performs the Umraa, the sensation of fulfillment upon completing it is immense.
I have enclosed the following pictures of the trip (they were taken with the Treo 650 camera so please excuse the quality)
Mecca Bound
A Street In Mecca
A Glimpse Of The Holy Mosque
The Past Meets The Future
Waiting For The Distribution Of Food And Drink
Thousands Of People Waiting For Free Dates And Drink From The Saudi Authorities
One Of The Entrances To al-Masjidu'l-Ḥarām
My Favorite Snapshot. It Possesses An Ethereal, Spiritual Quality.
At Any Of These Restaurants One Can Order Literally Hundreds Of Meals To Be Distributed To The Needy (The Prices Are 3 Or 5 Riyals Per Person. You Can Feed 100 People For Between 24KD ($65) and 40KD ($135).
Squabbling Over Food Distribution
Distributing Food For The Needy
Breaking The Fast With Water And Dates On The Roof Of The al-Masjidu'l-Ḥarām
The Maghrib Prayer On The Roof
Breaking The Fast
Comments (12)
Salam,
Taqabalah Allah.
this is the best blog topic I have seen in ages.
Thanks alot.
Peace
Posted by PALFORCE | October 7, 2006 9:03 PM
Posted on October 7, 2006 21:03
Beautiful post. I can see your silhouette from the window shots.
Posted by Don Veto | October 7, 2006 9:37 PM
Posted on October 7, 2006 21:37
Allah! 3umra maqboula..
Ya ba5tik, never been there, ma 3indi ma7ram ewadeeni :'(
Posted by Sarah | October 7, 2006 11:08 PM
Posted on October 7, 2006 23:08
taqabbal Allah 6a3tik :)
Posted by Fawaz | October 8, 2006 2:30 AM
Posted on October 8, 2006 02:30
Thank you Palforce, Don Veto, Sarah and Fawaz for your kind words and sentiments.
Palforce, Welcome to the asylum.
Don Veto, I hope the silhoutte isn't too large, you must have X-ray vision.
Fawaz, thanks for your comments and recent input as well.
And Sarah, hopefully your future husband will be your ma7ram and accompany you to Umrah.
Posted by amer | October 8, 2006 11:17 AM
Posted on October 8, 2006 11:17
Wow, 7amdellah 3al salama... I know that feeling of peace.. I wish I could go soon again
Posted by chikapappi | October 8, 2006 12:00 PM
Posted on October 8, 2006 12:00
Amazing!
Posted by Ola | October 8, 2006 4:33 PM
Posted on October 8, 2006 16:33
Thanks Chika, I hope you can go soon as well.
Ola, welcome to the Blog.
Posted by amer | October 8, 2006 5:39 PM
Posted on October 8, 2006 17:39
Masha Allah. May Allah the Almighty accept all your Ibaadaat and reward you abundantly both in this world and in the hereafter. If you have similar pictures for Madina Shareef please forward them to me so that I can use them when I am conducting Hajj & Umrah lessons in my locality. Jazakamullah & Wassalaam
Posted by Dr Abdul Rashid Ahmed | October 10, 2006 8:59 AM
Posted on October 10, 2006 08:59
taqabala allah 6a3tik... lovely post and pics :)
Posted by DiiGMaa | October 10, 2006 12:29 PM
Posted on October 10, 2006 12:29
Amer those were awesome pictures. Welcome back.
Posted by Dubai Sunshine | October 10, 2006 1:09 PM
Posted on October 10, 2006 13:09
What a gorgeous post of a gorgeous place...
Ta8abal Allah 6a3tik
Posted by Bostonian | October 18, 2006 12:02 AM
Posted on October 18, 2006 00:02