This film was a look into one of the biggest pilgrimages of all the world's religions: the Hajj. The Hajj is a pilgrimage obligatory on all Muslims at least once in their life, provided they are both healthy enough and financially able. Mecca is a city closed off to non-Muslims so it was a very interesting and rare opportunity to be essentially on the ground-level with some 3 million Muslims as they participated in this historic and spiritual journey.
The film itself follows three Muslims and their journey both to the physical city of Mecca as well as the spiritual journey each person undergoes as they conduct the rites that the Hajj requires. These three individuals, however, were not your "stereotypical" Muslims. One was a white woman from Texas who had converted to Islam, another was a businessman from Indonesia, and the third was a black South African. All of these people had separate, entirely different lives and lifestyles, but were united by their common faith.
While at Hajj, pilgrims are supposed to remain in a constant pensive state known as ihram. For men, this entails wearing two simple white sheets, and for women involves dressing modestly; however, during this time, women are not required to cover their hands or face. Another interesting aspect of the Hajj that is portrayed is how even though there is supposed to be no class distinction or separation, there were still vacation-style packages pilgrims could buy to enhance their stay at Hajj. These packages could include such things as extra or better food, mattresses for staying in the tents, among other "luxuries". To me, it was the commercialization of Hajj that was most fascinating.
It was also interesting watching how the woman, being both tall and blonde, was challenged while she was on the Hajj by other people, both men and women, asking her if she "really is a Muslim" and chastising her based on her looks. It was sad to see how stereotypes exist even within a religion as diverse and far-reaching as Islam. It was also interesting that she had to have a male relative give her written permission to go to Saudi Arabia to participate in Hajj; the male she eventually received the OK from was her son. Being in a state of ihram, however, she endured the ridicule and stares and went on to complete the Hajj which had a profound impact on her life. The business man from Indonesia presumably grew up Muslim and seemed to go on it as just another duty. He did not seem particularly religious at the beginning of the film, but by the end a noticeable change had occurred. The black South African man was a Muslim radio-host who wanted to experience the religious camaraderie being on the Hajj would bring. Being from South Africa, a land with a long history of racial tensions, he was excited by the prospect of not being seen for the color of his skin, but rather seen as a fellow Muslim, part of a body or worldwide religious family. It was disappointing to find out, however, that he was often still seen only as a "black African" first, and a Muslim second. In fact, at one point in the film he actually switches prayer tents to pray with Muslims from Nigeria (I think it was Nigeria), because of some unsaid racial issue at the South African tent.
The film was a very fascinating look at an event that has taken place for over 1400 years, and although it is a spiritual journey to find, connect, and be with God, it still has many all-too-human qualities within it. I recommend this film to everyone, whether they know anything about Islam or not, as it is hard to view such a massive, spiritual gathering of people from all around the world and not feel moved.
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