Saudi Arabia

For Muslims, a pilgrimage to Mecca called the Hajj is required as one of the Five Pillars of the faith. In recent years, about two to three million have gathered for the major pilgrimage, during the Muslim month of Dhu al-Hijjah, and many more perform the minor pilgrimage or Umrah, which may be performed at any time of year.

A friend of mine, her name is Lisa is in Saudi Arabia visiting her sister Jeni. Jeni has been married to Mohammed for twenty years. I am unsure where they met and all the details. Lisa is a Christian. Islam of course is the country's religion. i was thinking how different Saudi Arabia is compared to us. They will not allow any religious temple to be built there, only mosques that represent Islam. The King said there is freedom of religion if they practice in their own homes. Interesting, huh? Anyway here's some info on Mecca.

The focal point of Mecca is the Ka'bah, the "House of God" believed by Muslims to have been rebuilt by Abraham and his son Ishmael; it is covered in a gold-embroidered black fabric (kiswah). The pilgrims circle the Ka'bah seven times and may also try to touch or kiss its cornerstone, the Black Stone. Pilgrims then drink from the well of Zamzam. The water of Zamzam is believed to have special properties and health benefits. Few pilgrims return from the Hajj without a large plastic bottle of the Zamzam water.

During the Hajj the pilgrims travel to Mina, a small village, where Iblis (the Devil), symbolised by stone columns, is ritually stoned. They then proceed to the Hill of Arafat, a site for prayers, where the prophet Muhammad is believed to have delivered The Farewell Sermon.

The importance of Mecca for Muslims is inestimable. All Muslims, wherever they are on the earth, are required to pray five times a day in the direction of the Ka'bah in Mecca (located at 21°25′24″N, 39°49′24″E). This direction of prayer is known as the qiblah. Muslims regard al-Masjid al-Haram (or 'The Sacred Mosque') as the holiest place on Earth.