“Words cannot describe the majesty of this place.”
Abdulrahman Aljohani sat across from me, smiling, in the conference room at Arabius as he said those words. He’s been my Arabic guide and gateway into Saudi culture for a little over a month now. Before he moved to Riyadh, Abdulrahman’s home was Yanbu, a town within driving distance of Islam’s holiest city: Mecca. Every year, he spends the final ten days of Ramadan in Mecca. So, who better to offer insight into the massive religious significance of this region?
The Mecca, or Makkah, region of Saudi Arabia is home to large cities like Jeddah, Ta’if, and more, but the heart of the region is the city of Mecca — the birthplace of the Muslim prophet Muhammed.
At the center of the city is the Grand Mosque, which houses the Kaaba. The story goes that Abraham and his son Ishmael erected an altar, now a 50-foot black cube, thousands of years ago to worship God. After Abraham banished Ishmael and his mother Hagar, the story says that Hagar climbed Mount Safa, a hill nearby, to look for water. Unsuccessful, she climbed another, now known as Mount Marwa. After running back and forth seven times, the story says that an angel from Allah struck the ground, and water sprung forth. It’s a story that many Muslim children grow up hearing, according to Abdulrahman.
Today, the Muslim pilgrimage, also known as Umrah or Hajj, centers around these spots. Islam teaches that Muslims who circle the Kaaba and run between the two hills seven times each will be forgiven of all their past sins. Islam also teaches that Hagar’s spring, called Zamzam, has healing properties.
The practice is a requirement for every Muslim at some point in his or her lifetime, provided they are physically and financially able to do it. Many Saudis, however, will make this journey many times in their lifetime. Abdulrahman tells me he goes every year during Ramadan. “It is an incredible experience,” he said, “Very spiritual. You are with so many people all wanting the same thing: to be closer to Allah.”
Alaa Alhusseini, another guide at Arabius, echoed this. “It is so much more peaceful to go to Mecca during Ramadan,” she explained, “We feel closer to God and that He hears our prayers better during this time, especially when we are near the Kaaba.”
There are strict rules surrounding this pilgrimage. An important one for tourists is that non-Muslims are not allowed to enter the city, due to the sacred nature of the holy sites within.
Once pilgrims are within a certain distance of Mecca, they are forbidden from cutting their hair or nails. When their journey is complete, men shave their heads, and women cut off a lock of their hair.
As I concluded my talk with Abdulrahman, I asked him the question no journalist should forget: “Is there anything I missed that you think everyone should know about the city or region of Mecca?” He smiled and replied, “Words cannot describe the majesty of this place. You must see it for yourself.”
If you’re interested in learning Saudi dialect and culture, Arabius tailors its programs for various types of clients, including hotels and businesses owners. For those looking for a taste of Arabius, you can sign up for an hour-long trial session for free at www.arabius.com.
Arabius Guides on Ramadan
Favorite tradition:
- Abdulrahman Aljohani: Spending time with family
- Abdulilah Alhussain: Gathering with loved ones
- Malak Almasoud: Everyone enjoying life at night
- Amira Alqahtani: Gathering for iftar (breaking of the fast) with family
Favorite food:
- Abdulrahman Aljohani: Sheba soup
- Abdulilah Alhussain: Mom’s pasta
- Malak Almasoud: Sambusa and sheba
- Amira Alqahtani: Sambusa made with chicken or cheese
Most challenging part of Ramadan:
- Abdulrahman Aljohani: Cooking by the fire while the fast continues
- Abdulilah Alhussain: Working while fasting and shifting your sleep schedule
- Malak Almasoud: Going without water all day— “it’s tolerable until your sides start hurting!”
- Amira Alqahtani: Fasting during the summer
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