• E N
R O U T E
STJ 4.4
VISIONS
SPECIAL PHOTO
ISSUE
/ /
C O V E R
S T O R Y
FOOTSTEPS OF THE PROPHETS
YA Z E E D K A M A L D I E N M A K E S T H E P I L G R I M A G E U P J A B A L R A H M A H N E A R M E C C A
Retracing the footsteps of prophets up
Jabal Rahmah, a granite hill about 20km
from Mecca in Saudi Arabia, was surreal.
This Mount of Mercy, as it is known in
English, was covered with Muslim pilgrims
from all over the world, congregating for
the annual hajj journey.
According to Islamic belief, at the top
of the 70-metre high hill is the spot where
God forgave Adam his sins. This is how the
40 // MAKE MEMORIES FOR LIFE
hill got its name. Muslims also believe that
it is on this hill where Adam and Eve met on
Earth after exiting Heaven. We all know why
they no longer stay up in the clouds, right?
Anyway, I had already been in the Saudi
Arabian cities Jeddah, Medina and Mecca
for about three weeks before the five-day
hajj began. This global gathering is like no
other. Let me ask you this: how do you
navigate more than two million people?
With patience, of course, because we are
told that patience is beautiful.
In fact, before pilgrims leave home they
are told to pack half their luggage with
clothes and the other half with patience.
It helps; certainly makes the journey easier
and enables one to overlook the fact
that we all don’t share the same hygiene
etiquette in public spaces.
My climb up Jabal Rahmah was steady,