AN AMERICAN MUSLIM MAKES A PILGRIMAGE TO MECCA

by Amer Boukai

Feb 26: We arrived in Medina with a tour group of 300 American Muslims. Our hotel was next to the Prophet's Mosque which we helped to construtc.

It was an incredible feeling. The mosque is beautiful. We spent four days praying and resting before the intense time ahead.

My parents had become acquainted with the city long ago but did not recognize it because it had grown so.

We went to Prophet Muhammad's tomb to pray. I felt humbled and felt my faith more than I ever had before.

March 2 and 3: We got to Mecca when sunrise prayers were being said. The road was closed. The mosque which holds 500,000 people was full. So hundreds of thousands were praying in the streets. People everywhere. It was scary. And wonderful too, knowing that I have so many Muslin brothers and sisters.

The hotel was very nice; the food was excellent. We had omelets, chicken, fruits, juices, sweets.

I had on my Ihram. This is two pieces of cloth that men must wear for Hajj. You think you are so well off with your Armani suits and then you suddenly are wearing the most basic thing. It was very difficult. You feel like you want your clothes back. But that is the lesson. When you are wearing Ihram, everyone looks the same just as good sees us.

At the Grand Mosque I was fortunate to get within 30 feet of trhe Ka'bah. It was incredible knowing the prophets had been there. But you have to watch for the crush of people. Our guides had very tall poles on which they put our tour name so we wouldn't get lost. We left at midnight for Arafat, where Prophet Muhammad gave his last sermon.

March 4: It took us five hours to go 15 miles to Arafat. When we got there I was so surprised. Tents as far as you could see. There was no way we could be near Mount Arafat. The are extends five miles and our tent was very far out.

It had been 90 degrees but clouds came and there was a drizzle that relaxed everyone. An imam (clergyman) led prayers to ask forgiveness for all the sins we have commited in our entire life. Many people were crying. It was very emotional for me.

At sunset we left for Muzdailifa. Six miles tok six hours. Everyone was very tired. We saw many people from places like Russia and Africa packed so tight on buses and even sitting on top or hanging on.

March 5-7: We got to Mina at 3:00 a.m. and threw pebbles at the pillar. It symbolizes how the devil tempted Abraham. But Abraham obyed God and was willing to sacrifice his son. God substituted an animal sacrifice.

Our tents with cots were about 25 feet by 25 feet. Men and women slept on different sides of the tent. There were 60 people to a tent.

On Tuesday we heard that many pilgrims had been crushed to death in the crowds. It was very scary. We became very cautious. We waited until after midnight to do the next stone throwing when crowds were smaller.

We men had our hair cut by barbers to symbolize sacrifice. We paid butchers to sacrifice anima;s to feed the poor.

We return to Mexxa and at 3:00 a.m. circled the Ka'bah severn times. Then back to Mina and that was that.

By this time I really wanted to go home and see my kids and family.

Hajj is a very strong feeling that stays with you. My sense of God is much stronger. I realize more than ever that I will someday die and so should my mind on God.

I realize as an American Muslim that we should thank God for all that we have.

Now I think about the experience all the time. I wake in the night and think. I talk to my wife about how I will take to Hajj someday.

I got back on a Thursday night and the next day went to the mosque. Everyone congratulated me and asked if I prayed for them. I said yes. I prayed for everyone.

excerpted from an article by Carol McGraw, Orange County Register, March 25, 2001