Inside Mecca

Inside Mecca

6.13
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Ratings: 6.13/10 from 56 users.

Inside MeccaWith unique access to Islam's holiest city, National Geographic's Inside Mecca follows three Muslims from very different backgrounds as they embark on an epic five-day reaffirmation of faith and quest for salvation Inside Mecca captures the look and feel, spiritual uplift, claustrophobia, grandeur and grit of the largest annual gathering of Muslims in the world.

"Inside Mecca focuses on the personal stories of the hajj," says Anisa Mehdi, producer and director of the film. "Through the various viewpoints and experiences of the participants, we follow not only their physical steps but the spiritual and emotional stages of this all-important voyage.

We want to show viewers around the world the remarkable experience of the hajj: that it is at once deeply personal and widely universal." One of the five pillars of Islam, the hajj is required of all who can manage it at least once in a lifetime.

Each year, Muslims from all over the world travel to Mecca to praise and give thanks to God, to ask pardon for their sins and to renew their spiritual commitment through an elaborate series of rites and rituals.

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Jorge
Jorge
4 years ago

This MOVIE SUCKED!!!!! I'd rather cut my own balls and use them as earmuffs instead of watching this again.

Mike
Mike
6 years ago

Charlesovery: There is no such word as "eclyptic."

Cguell
Cguell
10 years ago

I kind of noticed that the pork subject seems to be a hot topic here. I might help give some insight as to why the rule is still in place in many religious groups today.

Ancients cultures were used to observe events and learn from
them so, in older times, pigs were usually fed garbage and allowed to wander about towns eating kitchen and harvest refuse and, worse still, human and animals waste. As a result, such diet made many of them carriers of diseases. Eventually, the ancients realized that eating pigs tended to cause sickness among their people so many Middle Eastern cultures at the time, regardless or religious background, learned quickly to avoid pigs as a source of protein. It became law in many towns and eventually such laws found their way into religious decrees in the Quran, Jewish Torah, Bible, and early Christian cultures. The same observations by the ancients are behind other such rules about storing raw milk and eggs with ready to eat foods, grains, or other protein to avoid cross-contamination. Likewise, rules about not using the left hand to eat were based on environmental needs. Desert tribes didn’t have exactly an abundance of water to wash often, so the best way to prevent the spread of diseases was to use the same hand to wipe yourself and make sure it didn’t go into the communal pot at meal time. Many of those rules were eventually included in religious books as a way for smart leaders in ancient tribes to force people to follow them. Throughout centuries, those ancient prevention measures have helped to stop and prevent the spread of gastrointestinal diseases in towns with no running water, no sewer or dirty water disposal, and no knowledge of what caused diseases. Hope this clarifies why eating pork is such a widespread rule in the Middle East and why it is still included in so many religious teachings in the region.

FAISA SH MOHAMED
FAISA SH MOHAMED
10 years ago

wow,what a beautiful and amazing video I'm only 12 years old and I'm planning inshallah to got to mecca one day! :) I'M PROUDE TO BE A MUSLIM!

Allison Santana
Allison Santana
11 years ago

I love being a Muslimah.

Pawandeep
Pawandeep
11 years ago

but still The GOAT/SHEEP slaughter is very UNACCEPTABLE

Nelson
Nelson
12 years ago

When I see people cowering and grovelling like this before a fairy tale creature, I can only think how miserly and cowardly and weak they are.

Guest
Guest
12 years ago

Its axeman13, yay :)

Obaid Sadath
Obaid Sadath
12 years ago

peace be with you all
everyone you hav to kow the difference between ISLAM and MUSLIM, ISLAM is the divine and noble religion of god which aims to perfect good morals and character and than you have MUSLIMS now a muslim is what an individual makes of the religion and somethimes you get a few nut heads who twist the words of god to suit their own personal desires . thank youu for reading
peace be with you
obaid.

Indrawan
Indrawan
12 years ago

everybody has their own perspective on how they view their world and worshiping on what they believe. those kinds of symbolisms may can be think as a ridiculous act, but I believe people fear to something that they don't understand and make some bad judgement although perhaps maybe what we do also may ridiculous for else.

Gary V
Gary V
12 years ago

A very interesting documentary. I'm not a Muslim, I'm a Secular Humanist but I still found it very interesting. I believe that everyone has the right to believe in whatever outdated ancient myths that they choose to, provided that they don't try to force them on anybody else.

ruffkutt
ruffkutt
12 years ago

"They stone each other"? Kill sheep? Too many men with B.O. concentrated in one area. What's with that Irish/American "scientist" who decided to join religion that denigrates women? She sounds like a real piece of work. (I guess the Scientology Church wasn't taking applications that day).
I'll stick with Secular Humanism.

MMonterd
MMonterd
13 years ago

that was a refreshing view of islam

maxi
maxi
13 years ago

plz dont blame ISLAM if you see muslims make mistake or killing poor poeple just focuss on him and put your finger on him not the whole muslim or blaming Islam coz Islam is true faith

Fahad
Fahad
13 years ago

mashalla there people who are becoming muslims and doing well for them in order to go to jannat.

ray
ray
13 years ago

Muhammad had worms in his mouth

ray
ray
13 years ago

Muhammad had worms in his mouth.

ninjaturtle215
ninjaturtle215
13 years ago

why does every one start up with aisha and muhammad she was 9 so what marry was 13 when (according to christians) God boinked her (God forbid) and aisha's father (abu bakr) was not muhammad's brother.
Nobody is forcing u to join our religion go do whatever u want and let us do whatever we want.

Foz1
Foz1
13 years ago

just enjoy the documentary guys..every1 is a **king scholar these days

Kassandra
Kassandra
13 years ago

Islam is religion and religion can not be bad. There are paople who make it bad and they dont understand the real meaning of Islam. Islam is religion of peace !

Atte Mede
Atte Mede
13 years ago

For about 30 years I've witnessed a steady stream of documentaries or movies that portray Islam in glowing terms without a hint of criticism or allusion to its sinister practices.

This is not coincidental. I understand the royal family of S. Arabia finances an annual award scheme that recognizes Western film makers who create movies and documentaries designed to present Islam in the best possible light. The awards are prizes worth multiple millions of dollars.
There is no scheme like it for Christianity and most movies and documentaries on that subject are critical or hate inspiring-which is fine. Christianity can take it and turn the other cheek to take it again and not come undone.

Islam is a religion that accompanies Arab Imperialism and culture--which is crude, barbaric and barely evolved beyond the stone age.
But yet, here, we see another Saudi encouraged/financed documentary seeking to portray Islam as something it is not.
Islam is a religion of peace--but only for co-religionists. That statement and many others have been misapplied and dumped on the West.
I cannot help but feel motivated to speak-out like this as I have 6 daughters--thank God I don't live in an Islamic nation; I'd be forced to practically hate them and possibly myself and wife for procreating them.

not required
not required
13 years ago

it's a great video

zaheem
zaheem
13 years ago

i do not agree on the part which showed that there was racesem with black people.there every persom is equal

amma
amma
13 years ago

excuse me... I meant...

Can't we just get along?

amma
amma
13 years ago

Can't we all just get a long?

I am not a Muslim, will never be Muslim, but I did enjoy learning about the journey. My compliments to the people that created the video documentary.

Dr Zulfiquer
Dr Zulfiquer
13 years ago

Thanks for this wonderful piece of work on hajj and the muslims. Now a days the great virtues of Islam that it preaches are being wrongly presented by many medias to undermine them specially after 9/11. But in reality it a wonder about how it can teach to be a great human by following the teachings of divine Islam. I feel proud to be a muslim.

About some odd events happened during hajj as focused in the documentary about people being segregated at Arafta or Mina creating a sense of division and the very core concept of all human equal is being tarnished. In fact I dont think in that way. It is a way of management of the situation. We should not forget that there are 2 million people together at the same time at the same place. Can any big thinkers plan mananging this huge colossal task in a better way? But I believe if a better plan is there, definitely Saudi authority is going to welcome that.

I could not control my tears when Fidelwa (Sorry if there is mistake in the spelling)say "Yes I am American, I am muslim ..Alhamdullillah". This is our great religion.

Thanks again for this wonderful work.

Houcine
Houcine
13 years ago

charlesovery

ten times??? who told ya that ???

Pistol
Pistol
13 years ago

Was Muhammad not a warlord and statesmen? Has religion not been used numerous times to unite and clue "states/people" together? I do recall that this was the role of Christianity in Rome after it had split into several parts. :D

Personally I believe that naturally we all seek to do good. It makes sense to help your fellow man. Not for any "greater cause" but simply because it makes sense. No one is going to offer you assistance in time of need if they feel you would not offer them the same. Therefore it is benefit to the self to reach outwards and help others.

But I guess without religion the world would fall into chaos and disorder. :D

cucu
cucu
13 years ago

Every time there the talk on religion we loose (including me) in our paints.This is problem with all faiths. Actually we don't understand any kind of faith . we put ourselves higher than religion or morality ,a basis of humanity and loose everything . This is problem with everyone from Muslims to Christians and .... even atheists .
Adam and eve has got all rotten eggs :) consider me too in the basket. I dont see any hope after reading religious slogans here .Why we cannot handle our religion privately , its matter of man and God ?

Ahmed....
Ahmed....
13 years ago

nobody ***ks d allah
let Allah ***k with the muslim brains
for all they are worshiping is a book written by some a**hole,the dumbest son of a b*tch in the race of humans
considering the book is a religion doing all the sh*t(praying all the day and all bloody rituals) as well gettin it back(in terms of war)

no doubt the extreme christian and Jesus ***ker are no different than them
but i think n we kno they atleast had came witha revolution to make a progress(breaking the power of churches and pope)
progress from thinking and talking clearly, using science to find the truth, discussing the knowledge and debating the truth.

which this Muslims all lag and only try to recite and find the bullsh*t truth in a book of sh*t
it will take time ass christian revolution
but until the rest of the world would have nuclefy this nations as they all think them as enemies of Allah and disbeliever

**Till then let the allah do the toilet in Muslim brains and let him ***k them

Jay Jay the Jet Plane
Jay Jay the Jet Plane
13 years ago

@yahya If there's one thing I'll agree with it's that no one believes in bringing democracy and freedom bull crap. When my friends started dying we said "Eff the cause." It was about each other from that point on. I fought to try to bring my friends home. I served my country because it asked me to. we wouldn't have went to Iraq if the country wasn't aiding and embedding known terrorists who have carried atrocious acts around the world. And don't tell me the Jews planned 9/11. For your information we didn't take oil from Iraq. Most of our natural resources come from Saudi Arabia.
Be it as it may, marrying a 9 year old is sociably unacceptable in this time and day as you said. What about the other parts of the Quaran telling muslims to kill all the non believers? Why can husbands kill their wives by beheading them? If Islam is a religion of peace like most muslims believe, why do they get so violent? i'm sure the same can be said about Christianity as well.

yahya
yahya
13 years ago

Epicurus

Sahih Bukhari Volume 7, Book 62, Number 88
Narrated ‘Ursa:
The Prophet wrote the (marriage contract) with ‘Aisha while she was six years old and consummated his marriage with her while she was nine years old and she remained with him for nine years (i.e. till his death).

Sir, this is obviously a social matter, I can go on telling you about roman (cartaginian, greek,...) figures marrying girls at similar ages, and in european countries in medieval times( when christianity was running the show), islam has always been a flexible religion, there are things that must not be changed because they are for all times and areas (you find those in the Quran) and other things that are not religeous you are only mentionning them because they are not socially and culturally accetable nowadays. I am from a muslim country and 17 is the minimum age for marriage, in some other muslim countries it's 16 or 18, depending what socity and the ruling class see fit.

Peace

yahya
yahya
13 years ago

Jay Jay the Jet Plane

RIGHT ON! I had to fight them in Iraq. They’ve killed my friends and put some of them in wheel chairs.

why didn't you assume then that they are fighting you because your country killed untold numbers of them, there families, there children, there frends.........and colonising there country and counsuming there ressources(oil and natural gas). I mean wouldn't you fight anybody who would come to your country to take what's yours, killing you in the process. And please drope the bringing freadom and democracy crap by now nobody bellieves it anymore.

non-muslim
non-muslim
13 years ago

Well, I have to fight them here in Holland. No killing yet, but if they even try I will kill some of them before they can kill me.

Jay Jay the Jet Plane
Jay Jay the Jet Plane
13 years ago

@Epicurus: RIGHT ON! I had to fight them in Iraq. They've killed my friends and put some of them in wheel chairs.

Epicurus
Epicurus
13 years ago

Islam is a religion of violence, war mongering, and pedophilia.

they are allowed to lie to anyone who isn't Muslim or as they like to call us Kuffar, in order to protect their religion.

The QURAN Verses Advocates KILLING

The Quran does condemn those who annoy, mock, malign the prophet and Muslims (33:57-58), and those who oppose Islam (War against God, or sedition) must be executed (5:33, 33:60-62).

(60:4) says followers of Allah will hate the disbelievers forever until they believe in Allah only.

(8:12) "Remember Thy Lord inspired the angels (with the message): "I am with you: give firmness to the believers, I will instill terror into the hearts of the unbelievers, Smite ye above their necks and smite all their finger tips of them."

(5:33-34) "The only reward of those who make war upon Allah and His messenger and strive after corruption in the land will be that they will be killed or crucified, or have their hands and feet and alternate sides cut off, or will be expelled out of the land. Such will be their degradation in the world, and in the Hereafter theirs will be an awful doom; Save those who repent before ye overpower them. For know that Allah is forgiving, merciful."

(22:19-22) "These twain (the believers and the disbelievers) are two opponents who contend concerning their Lord. But as for those who disbelieve, garments of fire will be cut out for them, boiling fluid will be poured down their heads. Whereby that which is in their bellies, and their skins too, will be melted; And for them are hooked rods of iron. Whenever, in their anguish, they would go forth from thence they are driven back therein and (it is said unto them): Taste the doom of burning."

(76:4) "Lo! We have prepared for disbelievers chains, yokes and a blazing fire."

Sahih Muslim Book 008, Number 3310:
'A'isha (Allah be pleased with her) reported: Allah's Apostle (may peace be upon him) married me when I was six years old, and I was admitted to his house when I was nine years old.

Sahih Bukhari Volume 7, Book 62, Number 64
Narrated 'Aisha:
that the Prophet married her when she was six years old and he consummated his marriage when she was nine years old, and then she remained with him for nine years (i.e., till his death).

Sahih Bukhari Volume 7, Book 62, Number 65
Narrated 'Aisha:
that the Prophet married her when she was six years old and he consummated his marriage when she was nine years old. Hisham said: I have been informed that 'Aisha remained with the Prophet for nine years (i.e. till his death)." what you know of the Quran (by heart)'

Sahih Bukhari Volume 7, Book 62, Number 88
Narrated 'Ursa:
The Prophet wrote the (marriage contract) with 'Aisha while she was six years old and consummated his marriage with her while she was nine years old and she remained with him for nine years (i.e. till his death).

Some Muslims claim that it was Abu Bakr who approached Muhammad asking him to marry his daughter. This is of course not true and here is the proof.

Sahih Bukhari 7.18
Narrated 'Ursa:
The Prophet asked Abu Bakr for 'Aisha's hand in marriage. Abu Bakr said "But I am your brother." The Prophet said, "You are my brother in Allah's religion and His Book, but she (Aisha) is lawful for me to marry."

sunset
sunset
13 years ago

I don`t see a point with you people trying to argue one with another when the reall truth is no metter what you say it`s not gona change nobody`s mind.
And to all them that don`t belive in God all i can say is open your eyes

non-muslim
non-muslim
13 years ago

Only muslims are allowed in mecca.

How can they justify that, when all our cities are open to muslims?

Is their religion based on discrimination? Or does it promote discrimination?

I've been working with muslims for a few years now, and they always define people by country of origin. They themselves are third generation immigrants, but they still like to see themselves as coming from another country.
This is not the case with third generation immigrants who are now atheist, they don't seem to have the need to discriminate all the time.

Liban
Liban
13 years ago

Islam = True Religion
don't listen to the people who use islam in there own use's.
islam is about peace and nothing else.

tomdham
tomdham
13 years ago

And regular Muslims in general are law abiding nice people. My best friend here in the UAE is Syrian.

tomdham
tomdham
13 years ago

Those poor goats!!! Don't let PETA see this doc.
BTW, I live in an Arab country and have seen this first hand during Ramadan. Not for the squeamish!

Lola Hernandes
Lola Hernandes
13 years ago

charlesovery...the word Allah is not a name for God,it literally means God.It's the arabic word for God just as in italian the word for God is Dio,in german is Gott,in indonesian is Dewa and so on...
Thus there can not be God vs, Allah...LOL...that would mean God vs. God.
Christian arabs use the ame word in reference to God.If you pick up an arabic Bible you will see that the word Allah is written there when referring to God.
Just thought you might wanna know,that's all.

Thinking Safe
Thinking Safe
13 years ago

Dear Jay Jay the effin Jet Plane

If we go on refuting and don't understand (not just listen) each other's view point we won't get any conclusion.

Iraq is in cival war just like once US was.

I must say one should study religon and then conclude r these problems bcauz of religion or lust of humans for power and materialism. Religion is the only institute which provides guidlines for purification of soul and at same time material needs. Isn't it gud u get way of life under one umberalla?

And can u tell why one can't lie, y v help each other, I mean why these ethical things? By asking this i just want to know ur view point, don't consider am going to justify un-ethical things?

Jay Jay the effin Jet Plane
Jay Jay the effin Jet Plane
13 years ago

To thinking safe: Christians have their fair share of loonies as well. I'm not siding with Christians either. I was a southern Baptist for 15 years before I found out that all of it is ludicrous. Then when I look at all these so-called Christians I see over-pious zealots who cram their beliefs down your throat and threaten you with agony and hell-fire. So, don't think that I'm siding with christians. As for who's killing who in Iraq and Afghanistan, they're killing each other. When I was in Iraq in 2006 there were many civilians who lost their lives at the hands of their own countrymen. The mujaheddin would kill everyone who stood up to them, who gave up their names to us. There was a family who was exterminated by them. The sole survivor was the the grandfather who told us that the mujaheddin came in and told them to stop helping us. When they refused, the family was tortured, the women raped, and then late beheaded and their house blown up by an RPG. Can you explain that to me? Also, we had Iraqi soldiers from Baghdad, Nasariya, and Basrah who would go home on leave and return to us with stories of the mujaheddin killing their families because they found out that they were in the army trying to fight them. Also, I for one am not proud of some of the things that I've had to do while I was in Iraq. You wouldn't be proud either if you we called into a jihad and asked to carry out atrocious acts of carnage. So, don't go saying that "they're" proud.

To Sam: So, are you saying that it's right for them to go and kill innocent people in the name of their god? Again, I'm not siding with Christians either because they have their own terror groups, The KKK, Westboro Baptist etc. Why the jews got palestine? Remember that the American government was founded upon "godly principles of the bible." They believed that because the jews suffered during the holocaust that they deserved a place to call home for them. Since the jews back then had no country in which they could go to or call their own, the allied powers and the President of the United States of America agreed to give them back their "rightful" home according to the bible. The west has funded attacks on muslim countries for years? OF COURSE! The same goes for the Islamic ran governments. It's happening here in America right now.

My point is that I do not agree with religion. Religion is just a crutch that people use so they can hide behind their ritualistic beliefs and call it purpose, a calling if you will. Reliigion is the cause for hatred against each other. By religion I mean the three main religions of Islam, Christianity, and Judaism.

Sam
Sam
13 years ago

JayJay,

Im not gonna get into a discussion here, Im only writing this one post. The reason is just to demonstrate the vast ammounts of sh*t that get thrown around simply out of hatred or some other destructive reason.

Let me deconstruct your last post...

"Why is it that the terrorist kill people and tell the world that it is the Will of god?"

A muslim would say that everything is the will of God, so whether they do or they don't it doesnt matter, its God's will. The fact that they feel, and thus act, in a given way is simply the result of God's will upon them.

"Then they go on to say that islam is the only way."

Well d'uh. Everyone thinks they are right. You're not gonna join a religion that believes it is wrong, coz ud would think u were wrong and its (by definition) impossible to hold a belief you believe to be wrong.

Before I go on with this, muslim fundamentalists are no more terrorists than christian fundamentalists, or any other person.

"From U.S. Code Title 22, Ch.38, Para. 2656f(d)

Definition

The term “terrorism” means premeditated, politically motivated violence perpetrated against noncombatant targets by subnational groups or clandestine agents;"

Terrorism is POLITICAL, not religious.

"If you believe in Islam, and they believe in islam and it is the only way into paradise, then why all the terrorist acts against the western civilizations?"

Well, thats an easy one. To quote Frankie Boyle (LOL) 'if u imagine Palestine is a big cake, then this cake is being punched to bits by a very angry Jew'. The west has instigated, supported, authroised, protected and funded attacks on islamic countries for YEARS. Just ask, why after WW2 were Jews given the land of palestine as compensation for the atrocities they suffered?? Why not give them Germany??

Thinking Safe
Thinking Safe
13 years ago

in recent history america destoryed iraq in the name of WMD and afghanistan in the name of terrorism but in media no one talks abt these, no one considers america and WESTEREN allies terriost. in fact they r proud of it and the others pat them and congratulate them on doing these nobel deeds.

can anyone answer:

who killed muslims in bosnia, sudan, chechnya

and who is killing muslims in palestine, iraq, kashmir, and afghanistan.

Jay Jay the effin Jet Plane
Jay Jay the effin Jet Plane
13 years ago

here's a question for you then: Why is it that the terrorist kill people and tell the world that it is the Will of god? Then they go on to say that islam is the only way. Explain that. If you believe in Islam, and they believe in islam and it is the only way into paradise, then why all the terrorist acts against the western civilizations? Now, I'd like that to be answered.

Thinking Safe
Thinking Safe
13 years ago

Dear Charles B.

I ll not counter attack u by proving how much anarchy and chaos non-muslims spread in the world after WW2 era by wagging wars and other tools.

Yes I agree what ever u said might have happened in muslim countries but this is not according to teachings of islam. If m travelling on a highway by car and I don’t know how to drive that car then I shouldn’t blame the road. So when muslims learn to live their lives according to teachings of islam these things won’t happen. I request u not to judge islam by seeing a bunch of bad muslims, who don’t follow their religion.

And y u r asking ahmad to explain his statement “there is no relationship between Islam and terrorism.” you can do find it out ur-self, just spend a little time to study wt islam is?

Thinking Safe
Thinking Safe
13 years ago

@Jay Jay the Jet Plane

if your mind is pre-occupied with hatred and skeptism abt islam then plz don’t read further.

Wt ever u quoted from Quran is true but yes its out of context. It ll b a lengthy reply if I explain context of each aya in ur post so for brevity i ll only say:

Just imagine a general is giving speech to his soldiers in a battle field and then read what you have written.

Jay Jay the Jet Plane
Jay Jay the Jet Plane
13 years ago

Well, I will admit that there are some Muslims out there that do revoke the terrorists, and I commend them for that.