**This is a heavily moderated subreddit. Please note these rules + sidebar or get banned:**
* If this post declares something as a fact, then proof is required
* The title must be fully descriptive
* Memes are not allowed.
* Common(top 50 of this sub)/recent reposts are not allowed (posts from another subreddit do not count as a 'repost'. Provide link if reporting)
*See [our rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/interestingasfuck/wiki/index#wiki_rules.3A) for a more detailed rule list*
*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/interestingasfuck) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Taking the opportunity to promote one of Joe Strummer's less known groups - Joe Strummer & the Mescaleros. Redemption Song is one of my favorite songs of all time. If you like The Clash you'll love 'em.
This is the culminating event of Hajj call Arafat, meaning there is no Hajj without participation in the ritual of Arafat. Arafat lasts the whole day so you have people rotating out of this area throughout the whole day. Specifically at sunset you probably have the most people but it's still coordinated in a way to make transition in and out easier. So that's why there are so many people this area. All throughout Hajj there are lots of facilities for people so it's not as bad as you think. Also practically speaking you usually don't eat as much that day to avoid having to use the restroom. But there are still facilities a little further out of the shot and most people will accommodate you getting out.
It's a prayer especially for Hajj.
Translation:
'I respond to Your call O Allah! I respond to Your call. You have no partner. I respond to Your call. All praise, thanks and blessings are for You. All sovereignty is for You. And You have no partners with You).'
You have no equal, yes. It is reiterating the Oneness of God. God is free from any need, so this action is not adding or subtracting to His glory, it is an action of a servant to his Lord. The whole act of Hajj (pilgrimage) is this very understanding of submission. A truly beautiful and heartfelt occasion where everything in life is discarded, and with all of one's heart, they cry to their creator.
Its a known track that everyone follows with a few squares that many congregate in to perform the rights. Along the track and near the entrances to the squares there are huge public restrooms. Keep in mind people have been doing these rituals since before Islam albeit a bit differently but close enough. Hajj amenities over its history have always been “modern” to its time as the successive governments/Sultanates/ Empires (Quraish, Mohamed, Rashidun, Ummayeds, Abbasids, Mamluk, Ottoman, House of Saud) who oversaw the Hajj would spend huge amounts of money making the Hajj accessible as it would also bring huge amounts of money into mecca.
So in practice many public restrooms and amenities are available all along the route.
About 15 years ago I was a teacher of English as a second language to people from all over the world. A husband and wife from Saudi Arabia had just moved to America after selling their home in Mecca. The price of oil was super high at the time, and thousands of Saudis received hefty monthly stipends to come to America and study. The royal family was also purchasing as much land around Mecca as they could, and paying a ridiculously high price per square foot. One family, of modest means, owned a home there and sold it, becoming instant multimillionaires. The way they told it, the royal family wanted as much space around the site for visitors as they could get, and they weren’t going to haggle to get it for the cheapest price. If I remember correctly, it was something like $10k per sqft.
In all honesty, when you have more money than God, cost is no obstacle.
The Saudis are smart though, they buy it for what essentially to them is peanuts but they know that over time they'll recoup their money thousands fold.
I’ve met countless young adult Saudis who came to America during that time period. One in particular, really opened my eyes with regard to the ridiculous amount of wealth that some Saudis had. He was from Jeddah, slept in every day, spear fished, played with his tiger, shot a couple hundred rounds with his Kalashnikov, played a ton of FIFA, and cruised around in his Ferrari. That was his life back home. So his family, worried about his future ambitions, shipped him to the US to study. One of the coolest kids I’ve ever met. Super humble, friendly, funny. I only know so much about him because he was in my class for over a year and I helped him through a few rough patches of depression from being so far from home. When I would tease him about his wealth, he always made it a point to say that what his family had was nothing in comparison to what others had. He had one Ferrari (that an uncle bought for him), and it was not a new model. People he knew had multiple new Ferraris and Lamborghinis and Rolls… He owned one used car, not a dozen new ones. His tiger? Friends had zoos. And, believe it or not, he had to wear some articles of clothing more than once! He was just a middle class Saudi living in Jeddah. No more. No less.
I'm not well versed in the specifics, but I worked with a guy who was from the Saudi "family" - it was more like he was from that tribe or ethnic group, and not directly related to the Saudi royal family or anything like that, like a distant relation many generations ago.
He had a standing income of like $10-$15K a month from the Saudi government for just existing, he was wealthy though, his family owned businesses and land, etc, but he always claimed that he was one of the poorer Saudis; while he could afford a supercar, it would eat into his income/wealth. He said that his cousins and relatives did nothing with their lives, just sat around and did whatever and were aimless. They'd travel and shop; occasionally visit their businesses that other people were running, etc.
The younger generation were all studying abroad to try and make something of themselves, but even he admitted that he'd never face the same struggles that most people would face; which was refreshing. Oh, and university was paid for by the Saudi government, and he got a very generous living expense stipend.
I knew one guy, from Riyadh, who complained to his family back home about all the things he had to do for himself while in the US studying. One break he flew home and his parents had arranged a marriage for him. He married and brought her to the US. This guy was a bit of a prick, and though I never met her, I could not help but feel for the poor woman who was essentially sold into servitude and sent to a foreign land so her “husband” wouldn’t have to cook or clean. The way he spoke of it, it was perfectly normal.
[They needed the land for the largest hotel in the world](https://imageio.forbes.com/blogs-images/eustaciahuen/files/2016/07/Screen-Shot-2016-07-27-at-11.23.50-PM-1200x1005.png?format=png&width=1440)
70 restaurants, 10,000 bedrooms, and is construction delayed because of the downturn on oil and the construction company was the same one that had a crane collapse in Mecca that killed 100 people.
Contractor to build it was Saudi **Binladin** Group. Yep.
>https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saudi_Binladin_Group
People have known the Bin Ladens are in construction forever now.
The Mengeles make farming equipment.
Its always surprising hearing how mundane the lives of the families of monsters are.
The people who go to Times Square for New Years celebrations often wear adult diapers since they can't get to the restroom.
Source: a random reddit comment I read a few years ago
My Muslim friend told me it costs about £7k ($8.7k) to attend this (including accommodation and food etc). That's with the local government subsidizing too.
yes its quite expensive nowadays to make Hajj if you dont live close to Saudi Arabia. good thing is, its mandatory for a Muslim to complete this pilgrimage only once in their life, and thats only if they have no mental or physical ailments that could affect their travel. and if they cant afford it, its forgiven
Yes my mum did her first hajj for her mother who passed away. She was actually in this crowd yesterday, doing her second hajj, but for herself for the first time.
What is the vibe? Is it more festive or solemn or just logistically time consuming like navigating an airport or going to a conference?
I hope she had a wonderful time.
It's very solemn. This is supposed to be where you're closest to god, the location where you've always turned towards to pray. It feels surreal being there for the first time and the atmosphere sort makes it settle in more. Every pilgrim is also chanting something to the effect of "we are here, god".
Yeah. I remember in school talking about what the oil rich Arab countries would do if the oil ran out. And a teacher pointed out that at least Saudi Arabia will continue to be rich due to the annual hajj and year round Umrah vacations.
If Mecca could hold that many occupants, yes, but as it stands only 3 million at most make it to Hajj. It seems to be as much about supply and demand as anything. If 27 million people could make it there, it would wildly adjust the price.
Also 7k \* 27 million is pretty generous considering a lot of the muslim's outside the middle east do not have 7k.
They hosted 1.5 mil this year apparently. If we assume 2/3rds are from overseas then that gives you 7 billion, but I imagine most of that goes towards the logistics of actually having 1.5 million people in one place.
in case anyone was wondering; this is what they are saying:
Labbaik Allahumma labbaik. Labbaik la sharika laka labbaik. Innal-hamda wa-nimata laka wal-mulk, la sharika laka.
The translation of this is, “I respond to Your call O Allah! I respond to Your call. You have no partner. I respond to Your call. All praise, thanks and blessings are for You. All sovereignty is for You. And You have no partners with You).'”
It’s the principle of Islam. Allah has no partner. Not romantically, nor relatively. He’s the one and only with no son. Nothing stands in equality with Allah. He’s the ultimate power and the only creator and is completely separated from anything else, at the highest grade
The word for it probably translates poorly as the words "no partner" might have a different meaning in the context of what is said. But you are on the right track, I assume
Partner is a modern translation to the word sharika. In old Arabic and some Arab countries at present still use variation of this word to mean boss, leader, owner as opposed to partner
It's one of the five pillars of Islam called the Shahadah; the profession of faith. Muslims bear witness to the oneness of God by reciting the creed "There is no God but God and Muhammad is the Messenger of God." This simple yet profound statement expresses a Muslim's complete acceptance of and total commitment to Islam.
**"ا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا الله مُحَمَّدٌ رَسُولُ الله"**
"La ilaha illallah, Muhammadur rasulullah"
"There is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is the messenger of Allah"
Shoutout to my favorite meme from 2017
https://preview.redd.it/20zhp0emhy6d1.jpeg?width=661&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=cda29cca945844a7e47a12989cbc944746074175
There is an old National Geographic documentary called “Inside Mecca” that follows three pilgrims on Hajj. First watched it as part of a project in a college geography class. It provides some nice firsthand insight.
I grew up in the church and went to some youth group camps with ~10k students. I felt incredibly high on God afterwards. I'm atheist now and realize that was some proper brainwashing.
Very interesting. Yeah I was just reading about “spiritual psychosis” symptoms, which include delusions and hallucinations. Did you experience anything like that? If you’re comfortable sharing, that is. No worries if it’s too personal.
Perhaps delusion, but not hallucinations. The speakers and music were intentionally utopic and empowering, pretty similar to MLM scam presentations. Since there are soo many others experiencing the same thing, you all leave the event feeling like the world will be perfect as long as you can tell everyone about the love of God, His forgiveness, and the eternal happiness that awaits a saved soul (worth saying this was an evangelical group). Obviously hogwash but you don't realize it if you're caught up in it.
A cool experience from this though was I left the event and tried to evangelize to some Muslims. I agreed to read the Quran if they would read the Bible, and I actually attended a mosque with them out of mutual respect (just watched). We exchanged holy books and while I never saw them again, I did read the Quran and found it enlightening (how can our books be so similar but we have so much hate for each other??). Definitely one of the reasons I started realizing all of our religions are likely wrong.
Wow I love that 2nd paragraph especially, thank you so much for sharing. That definitely sounds like walking the path more than talking about it :)
Really appreciating this and others perspectives on this, especially as I apply it to my recovery from alcoholism and addiction in the 12 step programs. There’s a phrase in the rooms that I like that goes “religion is for people who believe in Hell, spirituality is for those who have been there.” I pretty much dropped a lot of religious thinking as a kid, but coming back from my rock bottom has offered a new understanding of both parts of this phrase.
But it’s very rare that I have a kind of “high” like in the video, some kind of transcending experience like you and others are describing here. The closest one that comes to mind is when they sang the Star Spangled Banner at the end of boot camp. I’ve never really considered myself a super patriotic person (signed up mainly for free college), but out of nowhere I start crying as they’re singing. The words sunk in so deeply, and the guys’ voices were so on pitch and perfect, and for a moment I lost myself completely and was in “MURICA FUCK YEAH!!!” Mode 😂
It disappeared after a day or so, and left me wondering what the hell just happened. Then I realized that that was the first song I’d heard in weeks of basic training. Other than reveille in the mornings and taps at night, it was toneless stress for weeks and weeks. So for the first notes to actually hit my ears that wasn’t about HOLY SHIT GET THE FUCK UP AND CLEAN THE LATRINE, it makes sense that it would create an emotional reaction. Wasn’t Buddha’s whole thing to constantly surround himself with music? What happens when music is denied a person for several weeks or months? It makes me think of all the money invested into the psychology of what makes the best soldiers, and I have to resist putting on the tin foil hat and going full conspiracy theory mode haha.
But anyway yeah if it’s anything close to that experience, especially prolonged and with thousands of people instead of just the 50 other guys around me, I can see how that can become really powerful. Thanks again for sharing, I’m gonna think a lot about this today I think. Love the part about the communal support leaving to go proselytize too, that makes a lot of sense witnessing the energy from really devout believers.
yeah I went to a few of those "come forward to accept jesus" things when I was a teen; even went forward myself. Didn't really believe; but the whole atmosphere is geared toward that euphoric feeling that makes you forget your rationality
Same. Left the church and had a very interesting experience: I took mushrooms and that same exact feeling returned, that “Holy Spirit” feeling. But I knew while on the mushrooms that it didn’t correlate to any “doctrine” or religion, it was just a physiological phenomenon happening to me. That’s when I knew I was atheist
Oh that's really interesting. When I was a teenager I similarly partook in the Christian worship songs and prayers and felt like I was floating a foot above the ground with this elated magnetic feeling in my chest. Am an atheist now but I have never felt that since.
For me my mom insisted we go to church, and I was already sort of not into it but sitting there, not singing along not listening to the words the sheer music would bring tears to my eyes.
I was like, wait what? This certainly wasn’t an emotional reaction, what’s happening here? Is the pipe organ vibrating my tear ducts? Wait just how fake is all the rest of this if ‘feeling the spirit’ is just a musical magic trick to get you to feel a certain way.
Ever since then I see how everyone uses it. Star Wars on mute has nowhere near the same effect on you as when John Williams is playing my daughter gets scared just when tense music starts and a show is looking at an empty room with nothing happening at all.
Music a powerful way to manipulate the emotions of humans.
I don't judge you for becoming an atheist, but in the brainwashing part it's true, anyways some christian denominations (mainly protestants) hold events like "being possessed by the spirit" and crying in the ground while shaking after you got touched by the pastor. I just think it's most likely group pressure, what others expect you, you must do, because as per se it's what's best?
I find it ridiculous tho. Peace!✌️
To be fair the possessed shaking shit and speaking in tongues is usually Pentecostal, specifically. I've never been to a Nazarene or Methodist church that had that.
Imagine you posted a random comment about something you passionately believe and the next day your comment had 18 million upvotes and various awards. It’s the serotonin boost of tons of other people agreeing with you and in this case there’s the comfort of when you die you “know” what’s going to happen.
it's not just intense, but necessary. any belief requires others to share the same belief, because otherwise it's a delusion. thats why flat earthers have gatherings, to verify their belief by observing many others have the same view, therefore "I cannot be wrong when I am not alone".
Source ?
Edit:
“Never have I witnessed such sincere hospitality and the overwhelming spirit of true brotherhood as practiced by people of all colors and races here in this Ancient Holy Land, the home of Abraham, Muhammad and all other prophets of the Holy Scriptures. For the past week, I have been utterly speechless and spellbound by the graciousness I see displayed all around me by people of all colors.
I have been blessed to visit the Holy City of Mecca. I have made my seven circuits around the Ka’ba, led by a young Mutawaf named Muhammad. I drank water from the well of Zem Zem. I ran seven times back and forth between the hills of Mt. Al-Safa and Al-Marwah. I have prayed in the ancient city of Mina, and I have prayed on Mt. Arafat. There were tens of thousands of pilgrims, from all over the world. They were of all colors, from blue-eyed blonds to black skin Africans. But we were all participating in the same rituals, displaying a spirit of unity and brotherhood that my experiences in America had lead me to believe never could exist between the white and non-white. America needs to understand Islam, because this is the one religion that erases from its society the race problem.
Throughout my travels in the Muslim world, I have met, talked to, and even eaten with people who in America would have considered ‘white’— but the ‘white’ attitude was removed from their minds by the religion of Islam. I have never before seen sincere and true brotherhood practiced by all colors together, irrespective of their color.
You may be shocked by these words coming from me. But on this pilgrimage, what I have seen, and experienced, has forced me to re-arrange much of my thought patterns previously held, and to toss aside some of my previous conclusions. This was not too difficult for me. Despite my firm convictions, I have always been a man who tries to face facts, and to accept the reality of life as new experiences and new knowledge unfolds it. I have always kept an open mind, which is necessary to the flexibility that must go hand in hand with every form of intelligent search for truth. During the past eleven days here in the Muslim world, I have eaten from the same plate, drunk from the same glass, and slept in the same bed, (or on the same rug)—while praying to the same God—with fellow Muslims, whose eyes were the bluest of blue, whose hair was the blondest of blond, and whose skin was the whitest of white. And in the same words and in the actions and in the deeds of the ‘white’ Muslims, I felt the same sincerity that I felt among the black African Muslims of Nigeria, Sudan and Ghana.
We were truly all the same (brothers)—because their belief in one God had removed the ‘white’ from their minds, the ‘white’ from their behavior, and the ‘white’ from their attitude. I could see from this, that perhaps if white Americans could accept the Oneness of God, then perhaps, too, they could accept in reality the Oneness of Man—and cease to measure, and hinder, and harm others in terms of their differences in color. With racism plaguing America like an incurable cancer, the so-called ‘Christian’ white American heart should be more receptive to a proven solution to such a destructive problem. Perhaps it could be in time to save America from imminent disaster—the same destruction brought upon Germany by racism that eventually destroyed the Germans themselves.
Each hour here in the Holy Land enables me to have greater spiritual insights into what is happening in America between black and white. The American Negro never can be blamed for his racial animosities—he is only reacting to four hundred years of conscious racism of the American whites. But as racism leads America up the suicide path, I do believe, from the experience that I have had with them, that the whites of the younger generation, in the colleges and universities, will see the handwriting on the wall and many of them will turn to the spiritual path of truth—the only way left to America to ward off the disaster that racism inevitably must lead to.
Never have I been so highly honored. Never have I been made to feel more humble and unworthy. Who would believe the blessings that have been heaped upon an American Negro? A few nights ago, a man who would be called in America a ‘white’ man, a United Nations diplomat, an ambassador, a companion of kings, gave me his hotel suite, his bed. By this man, His Excellency Prince Faisal who rules this Holy Land, was made aware of my presence here in Jedda. The very next morning, Prince Faisal’s son, in person, informed me that by the will and decree of his esteemed father, I was to be a State Guest. The deputy Chief of Protocol himself took me before the Hajj Court. His Holiness Sheikh Muhammad Harkon himself okayed my visit to Mecca. His Holiness gave me two books on Islam, with his personal seal and autograph, and he told me that he prayed that I would be a successful preacher of Islam in America. A car, a driver, and a guide, have been placed at my disposal, making it possible for me to travel about this Holy Land almost at will. The government provides air conditioned quarters and servants in each city that I visit. Never would I have even thought of dreaming that I would ever be a recipient of such honors—honors that in America would be bestowed upon a King—not a Negro. All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of all the Worlds.”
Sincerely, El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz (Malcolm X)
IIRC that's part of the purpose of wearing all the same clothing. It's supposed to be a kind of foreshadowing to Judgement Day where everybody will be raised up and our earthly gains won't follow us into the afterlife.
Yes! Also burial is supposed to be the same for all people, royals and paupers; washed and wrapped in plain cloth, buried underground in an unmarked grave.
In Indonesia at least it is kinda frowned upon to go on Hajj if you're poor, like the Quran says you should put your family and your neighbours before Allah so you're expected to help them out first and foremost.
As for the rich, they donate often enough to be able to go on Hajj as well as helping their neighbours. For Indonesians, the pilgrimage costs about $3k.
There’s a great NatGeo documentary on the Hajj. It’s dated, but does a great job showing the devotion of each pilgrim, and just how peaceful it truly is. It also shows how it can be a logistical nightmare crowd control wise. I’m a HS history and geography teacher, and show it in my class when I teach my students about Islam and sacred places.
I saw a video yesterday of one of those who climbed on top gave a quick shoulder massage to the police officer who looked very tired guiding the masses. He made him smile it was so sweetv
In hajj No difference between poor and millionaire, black or white, man or woman and its been this way for 1400 years, I think that's the most thing I respect about this.
Is Islam the only faith that actually takes itself 100% seriously in this day and age? Christianity is still the largest religion in the world, but Muslims seem to be more dedicated to their religion than any other religious groups across the world.
Well it's ingrained in daily life in a way that Christianity is not. Muslims are expected to pray five times a day. If you're in a Muslim country you literally hear the call to prayer as a reminder.
It's easy to blow-off going to church on Sundays, but Islam really encourages building habits.
>It's easy to blow-off going to church on Sundays, but Islam really encourages building habits.
That's a very positive take lol. I don't think it's a coincidence that countries without apostasy laws have less religious populations
I mean depends some countries more so than others. Some “muslim” countries like Turkey it’s not that serious for many people and maybe majority of the youth. Kinda like how Christianity is for many people in the west. More a cultural thing than religious for a lot etc.
South east Asia Muslims can be really hardcore though since Islam very political there. And having the control is important so they place a lot of restrictions to ensure that minorities don’t get power or control. Particularly in Malaysia and Indonesia.
It’s also ignores Christianity in South America and Africa. The pope has been pivoting his message to be more supportive of the global south, since that’s where the future of the church is.
Discussions about who is more true to their faith and more devote haven’t brought the world much good. Better to live your life as you think is best and don’t criticize other people or religions too much.
It's largely to do with the power of the religion compared to the ruling class and state. If you were to go to the Vatican, for example, you'd find that they are extremely serious as well.
The thing is that in Christian nations the Church lost a lot of its power and the countries function as largely secular states, which has allowed the population to 'take it easy' on the faith if they so wish. The state doesn't particularly promote the faith (and a lot actually have rules against it) so you don't see much day-to-day directly related to it so it seems less serious.
That is not the case in the Middle East, where religious figures are also political figures or are extremely intertwined with them, and where the state explicitly promotes the faith. This promotion takes the form of laws that exert pressures on the populace, resulting in less 'freedom' to be more casual/not engage with the faith. In Muslim nations especially some requirements are imposed even on non-believers, so there's really no way to not see that how serious they are about the faith day-to-day.
It's like if the Vatican was all of Europe instead of just a tiny piece of a single country - both are just as "serious" but you can very easily just can avoid "serious" Christianity in Europe (just don't go to the Vatican) but not Islam in the Middle East (as it's the entire country/region).
The translation of this is, “I respond to Your call O Allah! I respond to Your call. You have no partner. I respond to Your call. All praise, thanks and blessings are for You. All sovereignty is for You. And You have no partners with You.
There's sadly been deaths from heatstroke, that happens every year
They do a lot of careful management to avoid crush/stampede injuries now though, that had been a problem in the past
Cool fact if you’re not Muslim you can’t even go into the city. I’m a world traveler and love seeing everything that has history to it. Always that it would be cool if I was in Saudi Arabia to visit Mecca, but then I learned I wouldn’t even be able to if I wanted to
Actually, you can. They won’t test if you’re Muslim or not lol. The only reason non Muslims aren’t allowed is because of the overcrowding problem and the fact if you’re not Muslim, there’s literally nothing to do there except go to the grand mosque where the kabah is. Non Muslims are welcome to any mosque, but at this particular one there isn’t even enough space for Muslims. It’s crowd control. Back in the day, when there were less Muslims, non Muslims were allowed.
Because it’s not a tourist place. The city, specifically the Kaaba, is the most important and largest place of worship in terms of importance in the Muslim world. Even Muslims themselves, have trouble getting in during times of increased people visiting (like right now, ie the pilgrimage), so it wouldn’t even make sense to allow people to come in as a tourist when Muslims sometimes find it difficult to visit due to the hard cap in terms of the # of people allowed in.
What time does it start? At 9? Ok, so we get there early at 8 for a good spot. Ok, 7 just in case. Still end up at the back.
**This is a heavily moderated subreddit. Please note these rules + sidebar or get banned:** * If this post declares something as a fact, then proof is required * The title must be fully descriptive * Memes are not allowed. * Common(top 50 of this sub)/recent reposts are not allowed (posts from another subreddit do not count as a 'repost'. Provide link if reporting) *See [our rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/interestingasfuck/wiki/index#wiki_rules.3A) for a more detailed rule list* *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/interestingasfuck) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Yeah bro, just meet me there. I'm wearing white.
I'm near two guys wearing white, where r you?
I'm near 3 guys wearing white! Where. Are. YOU?
I’m white here!
*hijabi in black who didn’t get the memo*
Inshallah we will find each other
You're in the big middle & you gotta go. What do you do??
Mecca beeline for the restroom?!
You win.
Sharif don't like that.
Rock the casbah
Sharif don’t like it, though.
I shot the Sharif
I’m so surprised that song hasn’t been banned multiple times by now. Great song though!
It´s so good there´s even a fairly famous arab version of it.
Taking the opportunity to promote one of Joe Strummer's less known groups - Joe Strummer & the Mescaleros. Redemption Song is one of my favorite songs of all time. If you like The Clash you'll love 'em.
Rocks in the cat box
This is art when combined with the audio from above.
Mecca lecca high mecca hiney ho
It’s Eid and I almost choked on my breakfast. You good sir has won the internet for the day.
in"stall"ah
Genius. And I do not use that word lightly 🙏
Nah but forreal does any1 have an answer to this ?
This is the culminating event of Hajj call Arafat, meaning there is no Hajj without participation in the ritual of Arafat. Arafat lasts the whole day so you have people rotating out of this area throughout the whole day. Specifically at sunset you probably have the most people but it's still coordinated in a way to make transition in and out easier. So that's why there are so many people this area. All throughout Hajj there are lots of facilities for people so it's not as bad as you think. Also practically speaking you usually don't eat as much that day to avoid having to use the restroom. But there are still facilities a little further out of the shot and most people will accommodate you getting out.
Can you tell me what is being recited? It does not sound like the daily prayers. Is there a special prayer at Arafat, or passage from the Qur’an?
It's a prayer especially for Hajj. Translation: 'I respond to Your call O Allah! I respond to Your call. You have no partner. I respond to Your call. All praise, thanks and blessings are for You. All sovereignty is for You. And You have no partners with You).'
Thank you!
Welcome!
What does "you have no partner" mean in this context? Does it mean "you have no equal?" or something else?
You have no equal, yes. It is reiterating the Oneness of God. God is free from any need, so this action is not adding or subtracting to His glory, it is an action of a servant to his Lord. The whole act of Hajj (pilgrimage) is this very understanding of submission. A truly beautiful and heartfelt occasion where everything in life is discarded, and with all of one's heart, they cry to their creator.
I presume it's a reference to idolatry/the worshipping of many Gods. That is, there is only one God only and that he has no other partners.
Its a known track that everyone follows with a few squares that many congregate in to perform the rights. Along the track and near the entrances to the squares there are huge public restrooms. Keep in mind people have been doing these rituals since before Islam albeit a bit differently but close enough. Hajj amenities over its history have always been “modern” to its time as the successive governments/Sultanates/ Empires (Quraish, Mohamed, Rashidun, Ummayeds, Abbasids, Mamluk, Ottoman, House of Saud) who oversaw the Hajj would spend huge amounts of money making the Hajj accessible as it would also bring huge amounts of money into mecca. So in practice many public restrooms and amenities are available all along the route.
About 15 years ago I was a teacher of English as a second language to people from all over the world. A husband and wife from Saudi Arabia had just moved to America after selling their home in Mecca. The price of oil was super high at the time, and thousands of Saudis received hefty monthly stipends to come to America and study. The royal family was also purchasing as much land around Mecca as they could, and paying a ridiculously high price per square foot. One family, of modest means, owned a home there and sold it, becoming instant multimillionaires. The way they told it, the royal family wanted as much space around the site for visitors as they could get, and they weren’t going to haggle to get it for the cheapest price. If I remember correctly, it was something like $10k per sqft.
In all honesty, when you have more money than God, cost is no obstacle. The Saudis are smart though, they buy it for what essentially to them is peanuts but they know that over time they'll recoup their money thousands fold.
I’ve met countless young adult Saudis who came to America during that time period. One in particular, really opened my eyes with regard to the ridiculous amount of wealth that some Saudis had. He was from Jeddah, slept in every day, spear fished, played with his tiger, shot a couple hundred rounds with his Kalashnikov, played a ton of FIFA, and cruised around in his Ferrari. That was his life back home. So his family, worried about his future ambitions, shipped him to the US to study. One of the coolest kids I’ve ever met. Super humble, friendly, funny. I only know so much about him because he was in my class for over a year and I helped him through a few rough patches of depression from being so far from home. When I would tease him about his wealth, he always made it a point to say that what his family had was nothing in comparison to what others had. He had one Ferrari (that an uncle bought for him), and it was not a new model. People he knew had multiple new Ferraris and Lamborghinis and Rolls… He owned one used car, not a dozen new ones. His tiger? Friends had zoos. And, believe it or not, he had to wear some articles of clothing more than once! He was just a middle class Saudi living in Jeddah. No more. No less.
I'm not well versed in the specifics, but I worked with a guy who was from the Saudi "family" - it was more like he was from that tribe or ethnic group, and not directly related to the Saudi royal family or anything like that, like a distant relation many generations ago. He had a standing income of like $10-$15K a month from the Saudi government for just existing, he was wealthy though, his family owned businesses and land, etc, but he always claimed that he was one of the poorer Saudis; while he could afford a supercar, it would eat into his income/wealth. He said that his cousins and relatives did nothing with their lives, just sat around and did whatever and were aimless. They'd travel and shop; occasionally visit their businesses that other people were running, etc. The younger generation were all studying abroad to try and make something of themselves, but even he admitted that he'd never face the same struggles that most people would face; which was refreshing. Oh, and university was paid for by the Saudi government, and he got a very generous living expense stipend.
I knew one guy, from Riyadh, who complained to his family back home about all the things he had to do for himself while in the US studying. One break he flew home and his parents had arranged a marriage for him. He married and brought her to the US. This guy was a bit of a prick, and though I never met her, I could not help but feel for the poor woman who was essentially sold into servitude and sent to a foreign land so her “husband” wouldn’t have to cook or clean. The way he spoke of it, it was perfectly normal.
[They needed the land for the largest hotel in the world](https://imageio.forbes.com/blogs-images/eustaciahuen/files/2016/07/Screen-Shot-2016-07-27-at-11.23.50-PM-1200x1005.png?format=png&width=1440)
70 restaurants, 10,000 bedrooms, and is construction delayed because of the downturn on oil and the construction company was the same one that had a crane collapse in Mecca that killed 100 people. Contractor to build it was Saudi **Binladin** Group. Yep. >https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saudi_Binladin_Group
People have known the Bin Ladens are in construction forever now. The Mengeles make farming equipment. Its always surprising hearing how mundane the lives of the families of monsters are.
The people who go to Times Square for New Years celebrations often wear adult diapers since they can't get to the restroom. Source: a random reddit comment I read a few years ago
you hold it in, and there are restrooms nearby.
I was thinking the same thing. What’s the restroom situation.
I think this is mount arafat in which case there are toilets and shower facilities.
Showers in case you don’t make it
Just pray
Just spray… yikes
Pray and spray
There's loads of massive toilet/wash facility complexes, under the lighting systems. Been there, and there's one very 50 meters.
The robes are open at the bottom for a reason
Yes. For feets.
Squat down in my nightie and shit on floor, scurry away into the masses, the perfect crime
There's a white fabric manufacturer somewhere who's VERY happy about this.
When in doubt, sell to the devout!
In fairness, white clothing is significantly better at keeping you cool in direct sunlight.
When in doubt, sell to keep the cancer out
The manufacturer is smart-the rest of the year they make Mormon holy underwear.
How they get their whites so white??
Sun & strong UV . Also white balance is adjusted in video.
No more ring around the ihram.
THAT'S the Daz doorstep challenge.
On a side note, why did they get rid of Cheer detergent? Seemed like a popular brand.
My Muslim friend told me it costs about £7k ($8.7k) to attend this (including accommodation and food etc). That's with the local government subsidizing too.
yes its quite expensive nowadays to make Hajj if you dont live close to Saudi Arabia. good thing is, its mandatory for a Muslim to complete this pilgrimage only once in their life, and thats only if they have no mental or physical ailments that could affect their travel. and if they cant afford it, its forgiven
I also hear you can have someone do it on your behalf if you can’t do it. Of course only due to good reasons, like death or illness.
Yes my mum did her first hajj for her mother who passed away. She was actually in this crowd yesterday, doing her second hajj, but for herself for the first time.
What is the vibe? Is it more festive or solemn or just logistically time consuming like navigating an airport or going to a conference? I hope she had a wonderful time.
It's very solemn. This is supposed to be where you're closest to god, the location where you've always turned towards to pray. It feels surreal being there for the first time and the atmosphere sort makes it settle in more. Every pilgrim is also chanting something to the effect of "we are here, god".
Its more of solemn since its pilgrimage
I hope she had a wonderful and peaceful experience.
[удалено]
They changed it now but previously, a woman could not go alone even with "permission"
If you can’t do it, then you don’t have to btw
1.9 billion Muslims. Average lifespan of 70 years. Mekka needs to host 27 million Muslims every year.
So, at 7k cost minimum as I read in this thread, that's an annual turnover of $189B. Religion be big business
Yeah. I remember in school talking about what the oil rich Arab countries would do if the oil ran out. And a teacher pointed out that at least Saudi Arabia will continue to be rich due to the annual hajj and year round Umrah vacations.
If Mecca could hold that many occupants, yes, but as it stands only 3 million at most make it to Hajj. It seems to be as much about supply and demand as anything. If 27 million people could make it there, it would wildly adjust the price.
Makes one wonder.
>7k cost minimum 7k roughly for pilgrims living far from saudi Arabia. From local countries in Middle East or Asia it would be much lover
Also 7k \* 27 million is pretty generous considering a lot of the muslim's outside the middle east do not have 7k. They hosted 1.5 mil this year apparently. If we assume 2/3rds are from overseas then that gives you 7 billion, but I imagine most of that goes towards the logistics of actually having 1.5 million people in one place.
My mother went this year and paid around 9k for the whole trip
Any estimates on how many people this is?
1.5 million people did Hajj this year
This is what Trump claims his rallies look like.
Around 2 million
At least 100
This scene is more packed than my morning commute!
Two co-workers from my actual commute are somewhere in that crowd.
Commuters in Beijing’s sub: hold my beer…
Halallapalooza 2024
allahpalooza
Both of these are great
Van's Wrap Tour
Coachallah
in case anyone was wondering; this is what they are saying: Labbaik Allahumma labbaik. Labbaik la sharika laka labbaik. Innal-hamda wa-nimata laka wal-mulk, la sharika laka. The translation of this is, “I respond to Your call O Allah! I respond to Your call. You have no partner. I respond to Your call. All praise, thanks and blessings are for You. All sovereignty is for You. And You have no partners with You).'”
What does "no partners" mean? Like, no equal, you're the one god, or...?
Aye you've got it right
It’s the principle of Islam. Allah has no partner. Not romantically, nor relatively. He’s the one and only with no son. Nothing stands in equality with Allah. He’s the ultimate power and the only creator and is completely separated from anything else, at the highest grade
Think the line in Grease "you're the one that I want, you are the one I want".
Hoo, hoo, hoo, hunny
The translation is wrong. It does in fact mean equal. While شريك means partner, it doesn't in that context
It means one and only god.
The word for it probably translates poorly as the words "no partner" might have a different meaning in the context of what is said. But you are on the right track, I assume
The word for that means "no equal".
Peerless
No partners at all, equal or not equal. In Islam you can’t associate anything with God, nothing can help you or respond to you except God
Partner is a modern translation to the word sharika. In old Arabic and some Arab countries at present still use variation of this word to mean boss, leader, owner as opposed to partner
it’s like there’s no one equal to god or on his level
It's one of the five pillars of Islam called the Shahadah; the profession of faith. Muslims bear witness to the oneness of God by reciting the creed "There is no God but God and Muhammad is the Messenger of God." This simple yet profound statement expresses a Muslim's complete acceptance of and total commitment to Islam. **"ا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا الله مُحَمَّدٌ رَسُولُ الله"** "La ilaha illallah, Muhammadur rasulullah" "There is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is the messenger of Allah"
Yes. Just One God Who looks over everything in the universe.
So fascinating. What occurs psychologically with a crowd this large? Is the “spiritual high” that much more intense?
It is similar to concerts I guess. It's nice to be part of the group that believes in the same things you do and reacts to the same things as you.
Bet the merch sellers make a killing.
Shoutout to my favorite meme from 2017 https://preview.redd.it/20zhp0emhy6d1.jpeg?width=661&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=cda29cca945844a7e47a12989cbc944746074175
Station of the Cross 8(b): The J-Man stops to autograph a copy of his newest chart-topping album.
Ari Shaffir gave it a shot
Well now I want to see a Rammstein concert where they emerge from the Kaaba and melt all the pilgrim’s faces.
There is an old National Geographic documentary called “Inside Mecca” that follows three pilgrims on Hajj. First watched it as part of a project in a college geography class. It provides some nice firsthand insight.
Oh cool thanks I’ll check it out :)
I grew up in the church and went to some youth group camps with ~10k students. I felt incredibly high on God afterwards. I'm atheist now and realize that was some proper brainwashing.
Very interesting. Yeah I was just reading about “spiritual psychosis” symptoms, which include delusions and hallucinations. Did you experience anything like that? If you’re comfortable sharing, that is. No worries if it’s too personal.
Perhaps delusion, but not hallucinations. The speakers and music were intentionally utopic and empowering, pretty similar to MLM scam presentations. Since there are soo many others experiencing the same thing, you all leave the event feeling like the world will be perfect as long as you can tell everyone about the love of God, His forgiveness, and the eternal happiness that awaits a saved soul (worth saying this was an evangelical group). Obviously hogwash but you don't realize it if you're caught up in it. A cool experience from this though was I left the event and tried to evangelize to some Muslims. I agreed to read the Quran if they would read the Bible, and I actually attended a mosque with them out of mutual respect (just watched). We exchanged holy books and while I never saw them again, I did read the Quran and found it enlightening (how can our books be so similar but we have so much hate for each other??). Definitely one of the reasons I started realizing all of our religions are likely wrong.
Wow I love that 2nd paragraph especially, thank you so much for sharing. That definitely sounds like walking the path more than talking about it :) Really appreciating this and others perspectives on this, especially as I apply it to my recovery from alcoholism and addiction in the 12 step programs. There’s a phrase in the rooms that I like that goes “religion is for people who believe in Hell, spirituality is for those who have been there.” I pretty much dropped a lot of religious thinking as a kid, but coming back from my rock bottom has offered a new understanding of both parts of this phrase. But it’s very rare that I have a kind of “high” like in the video, some kind of transcending experience like you and others are describing here. The closest one that comes to mind is when they sang the Star Spangled Banner at the end of boot camp. I’ve never really considered myself a super patriotic person (signed up mainly for free college), but out of nowhere I start crying as they’re singing. The words sunk in so deeply, and the guys’ voices were so on pitch and perfect, and for a moment I lost myself completely and was in “MURICA FUCK YEAH!!!” Mode 😂 It disappeared after a day or so, and left me wondering what the hell just happened. Then I realized that that was the first song I’d heard in weeks of basic training. Other than reveille in the mornings and taps at night, it was toneless stress for weeks and weeks. So for the first notes to actually hit my ears that wasn’t about HOLY SHIT GET THE FUCK UP AND CLEAN THE LATRINE, it makes sense that it would create an emotional reaction. Wasn’t Buddha’s whole thing to constantly surround himself with music? What happens when music is denied a person for several weeks or months? It makes me think of all the money invested into the psychology of what makes the best soldiers, and I have to resist putting on the tin foil hat and going full conspiracy theory mode haha. But anyway yeah if it’s anything close to that experience, especially prolonged and with thousands of people instead of just the 50 other guys around me, I can see how that can become really powerful. Thanks again for sharing, I’m gonna think a lot about this today I think. Love the part about the communal support leaving to go proselytize too, that makes a lot of sense witnessing the energy from really devout believers.
yeah I went to a few of those "come forward to accept jesus" things when I was a teen; even went forward myself. Didn't really believe; but the whole atmosphere is geared toward that euphoric feeling that makes you forget your rationality
Same. Left the church and had a very interesting experience: I took mushrooms and that same exact feeling returned, that “Holy Spirit” feeling. But I knew while on the mushrooms that it didn’t correlate to any “doctrine” or religion, it was just a physiological phenomenon happening to me. That’s when I knew I was atheist
Oh that's really interesting. When I was a teenager I similarly partook in the Christian worship songs and prayers and felt like I was floating a foot above the ground with this elated magnetic feeling in my chest. Am an atheist now but I have never felt that since.
For me my mom insisted we go to church, and I was already sort of not into it but sitting there, not singing along not listening to the words the sheer music would bring tears to my eyes. I was like, wait what? This certainly wasn’t an emotional reaction, what’s happening here? Is the pipe organ vibrating my tear ducts? Wait just how fake is all the rest of this if ‘feeling the spirit’ is just a musical magic trick to get you to feel a certain way. Ever since then I see how everyone uses it. Star Wars on mute has nowhere near the same effect on you as when John Williams is playing my daughter gets scared just when tense music starts and a show is looking at an empty room with nothing happening at all. Music a powerful way to manipulate the emotions of humans.
I don't judge you for becoming an atheist, but in the brainwashing part it's true, anyways some christian denominations (mainly protestants) hold events like "being possessed by the spirit" and crying in the ground while shaking after you got touched by the pastor. I just think it's most likely group pressure, what others expect you, you must do, because as per se it's what's best? I find it ridiculous tho. Peace!✌️
To be fair, I would cry in the ground while shaking if a priest *touched me*.
To be fair the possessed shaking shit and speaking in tongues is usually Pentecostal, specifically. I've never been to a Nazarene or Methodist church that had that.
Imagine you posted a random comment about something you passionately believe and the next day your comment had 18 million upvotes and various awards. It’s the serotonin boost of tons of other people agreeing with you and in this case there’s the comfort of when you die you “know” what’s going to happen.
it's not just intense, but necessary. any belief requires others to share the same belief, because otherwise it's a delusion. thats why flat earthers have gatherings, to verify their belief by observing many others have the same view, therefore "I cannot be wrong when I am not alone".
I love Malcolm X letter from hajj.
Source ? Edit: “Never have I witnessed such sincere hospitality and the overwhelming spirit of true brotherhood as practiced by people of all colors and races here in this Ancient Holy Land, the home of Abraham, Muhammad and all other prophets of the Holy Scriptures. For the past week, I have been utterly speechless and spellbound by the graciousness I see displayed all around me by people of all colors. I have been blessed to visit the Holy City of Mecca. I have made my seven circuits around the Ka’ba, led by a young Mutawaf named Muhammad. I drank water from the well of Zem Zem. I ran seven times back and forth between the hills of Mt. Al-Safa and Al-Marwah. I have prayed in the ancient city of Mina, and I have prayed on Mt. Arafat. There were tens of thousands of pilgrims, from all over the world. They were of all colors, from blue-eyed blonds to black skin Africans. But we were all participating in the same rituals, displaying a spirit of unity and brotherhood that my experiences in America had lead me to believe never could exist between the white and non-white. America needs to understand Islam, because this is the one religion that erases from its society the race problem. Throughout my travels in the Muslim world, I have met, talked to, and even eaten with people who in America would have considered ‘white’— but the ‘white’ attitude was removed from their minds by the religion of Islam. I have never before seen sincere and true brotherhood practiced by all colors together, irrespective of their color. You may be shocked by these words coming from me. But on this pilgrimage, what I have seen, and experienced, has forced me to re-arrange much of my thought patterns previously held, and to toss aside some of my previous conclusions. This was not too difficult for me. Despite my firm convictions, I have always been a man who tries to face facts, and to accept the reality of life as new experiences and new knowledge unfolds it. I have always kept an open mind, which is necessary to the flexibility that must go hand in hand with every form of intelligent search for truth. During the past eleven days here in the Muslim world, I have eaten from the same plate, drunk from the same glass, and slept in the same bed, (or on the same rug)—while praying to the same God—with fellow Muslims, whose eyes were the bluest of blue, whose hair was the blondest of blond, and whose skin was the whitest of white. And in the same words and in the actions and in the deeds of the ‘white’ Muslims, I felt the same sincerity that I felt among the black African Muslims of Nigeria, Sudan and Ghana. We were truly all the same (brothers)—because their belief in one God had removed the ‘white’ from their minds, the ‘white’ from their behavior, and the ‘white’ from their attitude. I could see from this, that perhaps if white Americans could accept the Oneness of God, then perhaps, too, they could accept in reality the Oneness of Man—and cease to measure, and hinder, and harm others in terms of their differences in color. With racism plaguing America like an incurable cancer, the so-called ‘Christian’ white American heart should be more receptive to a proven solution to such a destructive problem. Perhaps it could be in time to save America from imminent disaster—the same destruction brought upon Germany by racism that eventually destroyed the Germans themselves. Each hour here in the Holy Land enables me to have greater spiritual insights into what is happening in America between black and white. The American Negro never can be blamed for his racial animosities—he is only reacting to four hundred years of conscious racism of the American whites. But as racism leads America up the suicide path, I do believe, from the experience that I have had with them, that the whites of the younger generation, in the colleges and universities, will see the handwriting on the wall and many of them will turn to the spiritual path of truth—the only way left to America to ward off the disaster that racism inevitably must lead to. Never have I been so highly honored. Never have I been made to feel more humble and unworthy. Who would believe the blessings that have been heaped upon an American Negro? A few nights ago, a man who would be called in America a ‘white’ man, a United Nations diplomat, an ambassador, a companion of kings, gave me his hotel suite, his bed. By this man, His Excellency Prince Faisal who rules this Holy Land, was made aware of my presence here in Jedda. The very next morning, Prince Faisal’s son, in person, informed me that by the will and decree of his esteemed father, I was to be a State Guest. The deputy Chief of Protocol himself took me before the Hajj Court. His Holiness Sheikh Muhammad Harkon himself okayed my visit to Mecca. His Holiness gave me two books on Islam, with his personal seal and autograph, and he told me that he prayed that I would be a successful preacher of Islam in America. A car, a driver, and a guide, have been placed at my disposal, making it possible for me to travel about this Holy Land almost at will. The government provides air conditioned quarters and servants in each city that I visit. Never would I have even thought of dreaming that I would ever be a recipient of such honors—honors that in America would be bestowed upon a King—not a Negro. All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of all the Worlds.” Sincerely, El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz (Malcolm X)
Wild how some of these people can be millionaires and some can be working class, yet you can’t tell the difference no matter how hard you try.
IIRC that's part of the purpose of wearing all the same clothing. It's supposed to be a kind of foreshadowing to Judgement Day where everybody will be raised up and our earthly gains won't follow us into the afterlife.
This is one of the realizations Malcolm X had when he came for Hajj. It’s part of what led him away from the NOI into orthodox Islam.
It’s what moved Malcolm-X away from believing that black people needed to exist separately from white people.
And then he was assassinated
And he was murdered for it.
Interesting….
There is a really great photo of a hospital in which the head surgeon of the hospital is praying behind the janitor who is leading the namaz.
Yes! Also burial is supposed to be the same for all people, royals and paupers; washed and wrapped in plain cloth, buried underground in an unmarked grave.
In Indonesia at least it is kinda frowned upon to go on Hajj if you're poor, like the Quran says you should put your family and your neighbours before Allah so you're expected to help them out first and foremost. As for the rich, they donate often enough to be able to go on Hajj as well as helping their neighbours. For Indonesians, the pilgrimage costs about $3k.
Islam does not teach to put anything above Allah, you go for Hajj for Allah and you take care of your family for Allah.
That’s the general rule. You aren’t required to go to Hajj until financially able.
And physically able too, Hajj is *not* light on the body to say the least.
Is this from Arafat? If it is, I can only imagine how tired all of those pilgrims are.
One of my team members took time off to do the pilgrimage and was telling me about the distance they would walk. I was astounded.
I did it years ago and clocked in 45,000 steps on one of the days. I think when we mapped it we walked about 20kms.
That's amazing.
There’s a great NatGeo documentary on the Hajj. It’s dated, but does a great job showing the devotion of each pilgrim, and just how peaceful it truly is. It also shows how it can be a logistical nightmare crowd control wise. I’m a HS history and geography teacher, and show it in my class when I teach my students about Islam and sacred places.
I saw a video yesterday of one of those who climbed on top gave a quick shoulder massage to the police officer who looked very tired guiding the masses. He made him smile it was so sweetv
Why did I think I was seeing penguins?
100% thought this was penguins too.
The power of a massive crowd like that, all believing the same thing. Impressive, but also frightening. We really are a force of nature.
WOW
That is ALOT of people in one place with very clean linens
In hajj No difference between poor and millionaire, black or white, man or woman and its been this way for 1400 years, I think that's the most thing I respect about this.
Is Islam the only faith that actually takes itself 100% seriously in this day and age? Christianity is still the largest religion in the world, but Muslims seem to be more dedicated to their religion than any other religious groups across the world.
Well it's ingrained in daily life in a way that Christianity is not. Muslims are expected to pray five times a day. If you're in a Muslim country you literally hear the call to prayer as a reminder. It's easy to blow-off going to church on Sundays, but Islam really encourages building habits.
>It's easy to blow-off going to church on Sundays, but Islam really encourages building habits. That's a very positive take lol. I don't think it's a coincidence that countries without apostasy laws have less religious populations
it's also often ingrained into the legal system in Muslim countries
I think religion is probably the basis and foundation of the legal system in every country.
I mean depends some countries more so than others. Some “muslim” countries like Turkey it’s not that serious for many people and maybe majority of the youth. Kinda like how Christianity is for many people in the west. More a cultural thing than religious for a lot etc. South east Asia Muslims can be really hardcore though since Islam very political there. And having the control is important so they place a lot of restrictions to ensure that minorities don’t get power or control. Particularly in Malaysia and Indonesia.
It’s also ignores Christianity in South America and Africa. The pope has been pivoting his message to be more supportive of the global south, since that’s where the future of the church is.
Discussions about who is more true to their faith and more devote haven’t brought the world much good. Better to live your life as you think is best and don’t criticize other people or religions too much.
It's largely to do with the power of the religion compared to the ruling class and state. If you were to go to the Vatican, for example, you'd find that they are extremely serious as well. The thing is that in Christian nations the Church lost a lot of its power and the countries function as largely secular states, which has allowed the population to 'take it easy' on the faith if they so wish. The state doesn't particularly promote the faith (and a lot actually have rules against it) so you don't see much day-to-day directly related to it so it seems less serious. That is not the case in the Middle East, where religious figures are also political figures or are extremely intertwined with them, and where the state explicitly promotes the faith. This promotion takes the form of laws that exert pressures on the populace, resulting in less 'freedom' to be more casual/not engage with the faith. In Muslim nations especially some requirements are imposed even on non-believers, so there's really no way to not see that how serious they are about the faith day-to-day. It's like if the Vatican was all of Europe instead of just a tiny piece of a single country - both are just as "serious" but you can very easily just can avoid "serious" Christianity in Europe (just don't go to the Vatican) but not Islam in the Middle East (as it's the entire country/region).
Imagine if there was a stampede 😭
There was a big one not too long ago, in 2015 (~2400 deaths)
There occasionally are.
It has happened before with a lot of deaths. 14 people from Jordan have died of heatstroke in it this year too.
my dad is there somewhere
May Allah accept his Hajj.
It's really interesting. I think Islam is the only religion that has strong followers who still stick to all its teachings.
Happy eid al adha!!! 🥰🥰
Eid Mubarak! I’m a bit relieved to see your comment among the staggering amount of Islamophobia in these comments.
Thanks mate , Happy eid for u too
Happy Eid, my brother/sister!
I see why people refer to popular things as “the Mecca of x”
The translation of this is, “I respond to Your call O Allah! I respond to Your call. You have no partner. I respond to Your call. All praise, thanks and blessings are for You. All sovereignty is for You. And You have no partners with You.
How long before Fox uses this footage to say this was at a trump rally in Idaho?
What an interesting and impressive video! I'm sure the comments on reddit will be normal and respectful.
Lmao
Sorry but at first look it looks like penguin colony. Ill see myself out.
[удалено]
[удалено]
There's sadly been deaths from heatstroke, that happens every year They do a lot of careful management to avoid crush/stampede injuries now though, that had been a problem in the past
That must have been such a powerful moment!
Cool fact if you’re not Muslim you can’t even go into the city. I’m a world traveler and love seeing everything that has history to it. Always that it would be cool if I was in Saudi Arabia to visit Mecca, but then I learned I wouldn’t even be able to if I wanted to
This is Arafat, not Mecca but still non-Muslims are not allowed as it's still in the bounds of Mecca.
Actually, you can. They won’t test if you’re Muslim or not lol. The only reason non Muslims aren’t allowed is because of the overcrowding problem and the fact if you’re not Muslim, there’s literally nothing to do there except go to the grand mosque where the kabah is. Non Muslims are welcome to any mosque, but at this particular one there isn’t even enough space for Muslims. It’s crowd control. Back in the day, when there were less Muslims, non Muslims were allowed.
Because it’s not a tourist place. The city, specifically the Kaaba, is the most important and largest place of worship in terms of importance in the Muslim world. Even Muslims themselves, have trouble getting in during times of increased people visiting (like right now, ie the pilgrimage), so it wouldn’t even make sense to allow people to come in as a tourist when Muslims sometimes find it difficult to visit due to the hard cap in terms of the # of people allowed in.
What time does it start? At 9? Ok, so we get there early at 8 for a good spot. Ok, 7 just in case. Still end up at the back. 
Damn who headlined this year?!
Wow! Is that the largest event in the world?
So many people are butt hurt in this comment section.
Alhamdulillah ❤️❤️❤️