The holy city of Mecca has been pictured completely deserted as Muslims celebrate Ramadan in isolation this year. The central courtyard of the Great Mosque of Mecca is open all year round so is often busy, particularly during Hajj, but strict lockdown measures in Saudi Arabia have left it completely empty. The holy month of Read more
Posts Tagged ‘Mecca’
Pilgrimage is at the heart of major religions
Tuesday, September 22nd, 2015
Australian nurse Nelley Youssef is immersed in a sea of millions of white-robed pilgrims doing the tawaf of the Kaaba, the black cuboid structure at the heart of Masjid Al-Haram mosque in Mecca, Saudia Arabia. She takes tiny, shuffling steps as she completes seven anti-clockwise laps that form one of many rituals she completes as Read more
Scholar says term ‘Allah’ predates Islam
Tuesday, October 21st, 2014An Indonesian scholar says Muslims who believe the term “Allah” is exclusive to Islam are “confused”. Ulil Abshar Abdalla said the word predates Islam and is a general Arabic term used to refer to God. Malaysia has declared the word “Allah” should only be used by Muslims, exclusively. Ulil was denied entry into Malaysia earlier Read more
Islam’s pilgrimage to Mecca, Hajj 2014
Friday, October 3rd, 2014
What is Hajj? The annual Hajj pilgrimage is one of the world’s largest gatherings, as hundreds of thousands of people flock to Mecca, Saudi Arabia, to participate in one of Islam’s five pillars of faith. Muslims from all over the world will gather together for five days to pray as one community, celebrating their history Read more
Islam’s pilgrimage to Mecca – the Hajj
Tuesday, October 15th, 2013
What is Hajj? The annual Hajj pilgrimage is one of the world’s largest gatherings, as hundreds of thousands of people flock to Mecca, Saudi Arabia, to participate in one of Islam’s five pillars of faith. Muslims from all over the world will gather together for five days to pray as one community, celebrating their history Read more