My beautiful wife Sarah wrote the following :
Wishing I was there again. All those white dots you see, those are people, 3 million people from around the globe - each with their own languages, customs and cultures- harmoniously unified in prayer. Can you imagine getting 3 million people visiting your city all to do the same thing, at the same time five times every day? Yet, it happens every day during the annual Hajj pilgrimage.
I was blessed enough to be one of those millions in 2008. I stood next to my brothers and sisters from around the world to glorify God and seek his Mercy. I have experienced nothing more powerful. Imagine being in such a huge crowd, yet when you are bowing in prostration to God, the only thing you hear is the chirping of the birds above.
You may have known about Hajj and Mecca, but did you know this blessed place is also mentioned in the bible?
"Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee; in whose heart are the ways of them. Who passing through the valley of Baca make it a well; the rain also filleth the pools. (From the NIV Bible, Psalms 84:5-6)"
Baca (also spelled Bakka) is thought to be an older name for Mecca, as it is described as the location of the first mosque, which Islam teaches to be the Kaaba, and a home to Abraham peace and blessings be upon Him, who, according to the Qur'an, built the Kaba with his son Ishmael(pbuH).
Hope to be one of those dots in the crowd again soon Insha Allah - God willing.
My heart is there, with all my brothers and sisters performing pilgrimage .
Wishing I was there again. All those white dots you see, those are people, 3 million people from around the globe - each with their own languages, customs and cultures- harmoniously unified in prayer. Can you imagine getting 3 million people visiting your city all to do the same thing, at the same time five times every day? Yet, it happens every day during the annual Hajj pilgrimage.
I was blessed enough to be one of those millions in 2008. I stood next to my brothers and sisters from around the world to glorify God and seek his Mercy. I have experienced nothing more powerful. Imagine being in such a huge crowd, yet when you are bowing in prostration to God, the only thing you hear is the chirping of the birds above.
You may have known about Hajj and Mecca, but did you know this blessed place is also mentioned in the bible?
"Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee; in whose heart are the ways of them. Who passing through the valley of Baca make it a well; the rain also filleth the pools. (From the NIV Bible, Psalms 84:5-6)"
Baca (also spelled Bakka) is thought to be an older name for Mecca, as it is described as the location of the first mosque, which Islam teaches to be the Kaaba, and a home to Abraham peace and blessings be upon Him, who, according to the Qur'an, built the Kaba with his son Ishmael(pbuH).
Hope to be one of those dots in the crowd again soon Insha Allah - God willing.
My heart is there, with all my brothers and sisters performing pilgrimage .