Mecca, the Kaaba, and the Pilgrims

 

Non-Muslims are now permitted to visit Medina (مدينة‎). This was not possible until recently. However, it remains impossible for non-Muslims to visit Mecca  or Makkah ( مكة). Therefore, we want to discuss Makkah, the Kaaba ( الكعبة), and the pilgrims. These are topics that inevitably arise during a trip through Saudi Arabia.

It wasn't even the pilgrimage month of Dhu al-Hijjah [Dhu al-Hijjah ( ذُو ٱلْحِجَّة) ] yet. Only pilgrimages performed on specific days during this month count as Hajj. Nevertheless, believers still make the pilgrimage to Mecca, as it is considered a meritorious act. The first groups I saw were in Medina at the Prophet's Mosque (المسجد النبوي) and elsewhere in the city [1]. The Prophet's Mosque is considered the second holiest site in Islam. It is also the Prophet's tomb. But that's another story.

Kaaba literally means "the cube." The Kaaba is covered with the Kiswa (كسوة), which is regularly renewed. You can watch the Kaaba being circumambulated by pilgrims on a Saudi Arabian television channel. I found this very meditative, especially because verses from the Quran are recited during the process. I've included a picture here, but there's more, as this channel can also be viewed online as a live stream: "Al Quran Al Kareem channel offers a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the teachings and recitations of the Holy Quran in real-time." [2]

In the Jeddah Park (Cenomi) shopping mall in Jeddah, you can visit several museums on the top floor. In one wing, you can see textiles that were used to cover the Kaaba and a number of curtains used to dress the Kaaba's door in bygone eras [3]. A separate museum focuses on the Kaaba. There you can see pictures of the Kaaba, some of them drawings by foreign travelers, tiles, and postcards. A rich collection. And then there's also a model of Mecca with the Kaaba in the center, which I photographed.

Would I want to visit Mecca? Absolutely! Muslims make up about 25% of the world's population (Christians about 30%), and the number of Muslims but also the number of agnostics is growing faster than Christians. It certainly makes sense to learn about this religion. However, I wouldn't travel during the pilgrimage month.

Links and Annotations:
[1] I have consulted various Wikipedia articles:
https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prophetenmoschee
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kiswah
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kaaba
https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mekka
[2] Saudi Al Quran Al Kareem TV Channel Live
https://makkahlive.net/tvquran.aspx
[3] https://www.iarts.sa/en/hall-6

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