The Hajj Documentary 11/05

After watching the documentary, I felt as if I really didn’t know much about the Hajj. Prior to the film, I thought anyone could visit and seepartake in this experience but now I know its strictly those who are muslim. Which is something unique followers of Allah can share. As well as, I thought they could visit whenever they want, but now knowing it is a very spiritual and holy ground that people should keep it that way. Stated in the film was “the place should remain unique not grow familiar.” I really like this phrase because it does make going all the way to Mecca life changing, and not just like any other ordinary day or place to visit. This documentary also reminded me of a film I watched in one of my classes last year. The plot was held in Islam; it was about how a mother lost her husband and it was just her and her daughter. However, they needed money so the mother shaved her daughters head to make her look like a boy. It was working out fairly great until she was walking home one day and a man spotted her and asked what she was doing. Sounded strange at first but all the other boys in the village were taken to go learn rituals and educated on when it would be their time to visit the Hajj. But as in the documentary, everyone was in cloths and washed themselves for purity. And you can think how this could end badly when another boy sees a girl there. Anyways, not going to spoil anything else or the ending. But it was a very interesting film and heartbreaking at times, but this documentary sparked some connections with this film. Furthermore, I would love to learn more about this journey and when someone would know they are ready to visit Mecca and can succeed in the five day journey. Since I thought people just went there whenever and walked around a “cube” till they got tired and just talked with people. Whereas, it is much more than just walking around a block, for example, throwing pebbles at a pillar that replicates the devil, this action is to fight away temptations and replicate the place where satan attempted the prophet Abraham and drove him away with stones. Altogether, this was a very informational documentary, I would be interested in seeing another documentary to learn more about the Hajj.