Inside Mecca

This film follows three Muslims on their journey during Hajj. I their displays of faith to be very inspirational and beautiful. The film follows an American woman, a South African man, and a Southeast Asian man and his wife on their spiritual journeys, each hoping to be changed by this experience. I was only a viewer, but seeing their experiences moved me. It was interesting to see the American woman story because it was easy to understand her struggle with acceptance by her fellow Muslims because, after all, she is a white woman on a sacred pilgrimage done exclusively by Muslims. It was amazing to see that this experience made her feel more welcome and part of the community. The South African man struggled with acceptance as well, but not because he did not look like he belonged, but because he was black. I never thought that racism could exist in that part of the world, where everyone has darker skin. The Hajj is about equality, so the man felt a kind of acceptance that he never received at home. It brought him so much happiness and changed his outlook. The Southeast Asian man came to find his spirituality that had been replaced with materialism. As a wealthy man, there is little he lacks, but through his pilgrimage he finds himself humbled and brought closer to God in a way he had wanted for a long time. Each person in this film found some missing part of themselves through their spiritual journey. Each of them are forever changed by it and will carry it for the rest of their lives. It was incredible to see happen.