Inside Mecca

The documentary film called "Inside Mecca" is a vivid example of the most valuable aspects of Islam such as the hajj. In the film, three main characters play a key role in demonstrating some concepts about Islam and Muslims. Three Muslims are from different places in the world, but all of them have a strong desire to make a pilgrimage to Mecca. The first character is professor of neuroscience, Fidelma O'Leary, the next character is Khalil Mandhlzai from South Africa, and the last character is a businessman Ismail Mahbob from Malaysia. In the film, the main characters help to understand what factors trigger to convert the person into Islam, what kind of today's social problems could be solved by practicing Islam, and to what extent the pilgrimage is important to Muslim society. The uniqueness of this documentary film is the effective combination of stories of characters in their life and the narrator's commentary on each new insight during the film.

First, people from different nationalities do not feel any discrimination in Islam. The film shows the point where equality among all Muslims could be reached. The point is reached by keeping equality. For example, all Muslims in the hajj wear almost identical dresses which means that no one can be proud of their own expensive dresses. In the film, the narrator describes those people in the following way: "the poor and rich, all wear the same dress". In addition, tents are present for people to take a rest and sleep after making a pilgrimage the whole day. From the film, it seems that all tents are the same which demonstrates the equality of all people in a holy place. However, VIP tents are specially organized for a group of people who want to pay extra money for comfort. This example points out the socioeconomic inequality among people exists anyway. In one of such tents, the character from South Africa, Khalil saw the racial discrimination toward his side because of color difference.

Also, Fidelma from America faced a common problem in which the stereotype regarding this problem spread out. The stereotype is based on the place she is from and nationality. For instance, some people asked her "Is she a Muslim?". As she was not from the country where the majority of the population is Muslim, people from the crowd interested. As other Muslims forgot that religion, Islam is for everyone. From two examples we see the discrimination in a form of the trial from God, in this case, both showed their patience and tolerance. A massive crowd causes the problem with the movement of people in performing some religious rituals. As I have noted before, three characters are from different nations and cultures. The film demonstrates successfully that what kind of feelings people receive during the hajj. Scenes where Busy markets, crying children, people of different ages, charities, and the great atmosphere within the Muslim community shown influence on the audience emotionally. During the pilgrimage, you can face people who are crying while making dua, reciting Q'uran, or asking for forgiveness for sins.

The most important aspect of this documentary film is the explanation of some concepts and places by the narrator's speech. I found out that some materials from the lecture "Abrahamic Origins" which impressed me. For example, the narrator emphasized the stories of Abraham stating that he was the father of monotheism. According to Lecture "Abrahamic Origins", Abraham was the father of monotheistic religions - Islam, Judaism, and Christianity. Additionally, the lecturer narrated one story in which Abraham needed to sacrifice his own son by the will of God, however, God commands Jibreel angel did not make permission for this sacrifice. In the film, the story gained new insights such as the origin of the throwing three stones ritual.

In conclusion, I strongly recommend watching this film for all Muslims and for people who are interested in Islam. In the film, the annual pilgrimage, hajj demonstrates the importance of this spiritual trip to Mecca in terms of spirituality. A hajj challenges Muslims not only with religious rituals, but a massive crowd, sleep discomfort, and discrimination. The Muslim's duty is more than to perform the pilgrimage, also strengthen his character of Muslims through patience and tolerance. On the other hand, three characters are from different places of the world that do not correlate with Arabs and it means that the film shows the feelings and problems of foreign visitors to Mecca. Even they faced problems, they showed how they will battle with problems by demonstrating the strength of Iman in Muslim people. At the end of the film, Ismail cried when he was making dua which might touch the heart of people watching this film. The film was descriptive and informative, however emotional moments and the narrator's explanations may influence the notions about Islam and pilgrimage.