Monday, July 6, 2009

Makkah Al Mukarramah

Completing my travel journal and capturing significant moments of the Umrah trip have been a laborious task than I had earlier imagined. It would have been a lot easier (and faster too) if I did a pass through write up of the entire trip in one or two postings. But I do want to capture the significant moments, for my later reminiscing and more so for my children’s (and my readers out there too) read and understanding of how beautiful our religion is and it’s only through our inner submission and appreciation to our Creator, we are able to increase our knowledge. And in the same time drives us closer to God, and blesses us with happiness, success, and contentment. InshaAllah.

Thus, if my postings trickle their way out, please bear with me. I’ll try my best to have them completed, that’s a promise.

If my days in Madinah were enlightened by the beauty, ambience and serenity of ibadahs at Masjidil Nabawi, Makkah al Mukaramah presented solemn moments that led to my better internalization of the religion. I could only say this about our nine days in Makkah, “Thank you God, thank you for your guidance, protection and blessings upon not only us, but to the rest of the jemaahs in our group too.”



Streets of Makkah

Makkah, a modern city of 1.2 million people, lies hidden in the mountains of Saudi Arabia 50 miles from the Red Sea. Masjidil Haram, where the Kaabah stands in significance - the focal point of Islamic unity, is an incredible place where swarms of people organize seamlessly into neat rows, and bow and prostrate in unison. To walk around the block in Makkah is like walking around the world. As I stepped out of the hotel, I was with the groups of Indonesians. After solats I’d walk side by side with jemaahs from Turkiye, me to my hotel, them to their awaiting busses. Queuing next door at the international telephone centres, were the Bangladeshis and Pakistanis, waiting patiently in line to speak to loved ones back home.



Makkah, how noble it is. No arguments, no violence. Everyone is drawn together by the call of an idea, by the oneness of God.

10 comments:

Kak Teh said...

kay, how familiar everything looked. Everything is flooding back to me as if it was only yesterday when I was there. Thanks for sharing.

kay_leeda said...

Dear Kak Teh,

Makkah will always be embraced in our hearts. At present, Makkah is undergoing massive reconstruction. Many buildings have been torn down to make way for more modern facilities. Nonetheless, the feeling of being close to Him, is forever there.

My pleasure, maam :)

ummi365 said...

I miss makkah and madinah...

AuntieYan said...

Salam kay,

Auntie ni dari dulu dok kumpul duit nak ke Mekkah, tak sampai sampai.... :-(

Insyaallah satu hari Allah akan makbulkan juga.

Kama At-Tarawis said...

Am sharing kak teh's sentiment - how familiar the sights... hati bagai digaru nak pi lagi..

Chahya said...

Reading your posts hati terpanggil2 nak pergi.........!

kay_leeda said...

Ummi,

Joms gi lagi :) There is never enough one would get from both Madinah & Makkah kan.

InshaAllah, banyakkan doa..rindu bakal terubat dan dapat ke sana lagi.

kay_leeda said...

Auntie Yan,

InshaAllah Qabul...kita kumpul-kumpul dana. Selalu nya kalau untuk tujuan yang baik akan dipercepatkan perkenannya :)

kay_leeda said...

Dear Kak Puteri,

InshaAllah...inshaAllah..bakal kita semua ke sana lagi. Best kan rebut-rebut cari tempat nak solat tuh, dicelah-celah mak Arab :)

kay_leeda said...

Chahaya,

Yes dear..you will get there one day. Marilah kita sama-sama berdoa iyer :)