I entered Mina on the 28th of December (2006) only to find an overflowing river of masses under the bridge that is the entering point of Mina. They seemed to be an endless entity with no start and no end. Some chanted and some didn’t. Some laughed and some cried. Some walked and some stood still. But all where united in one purpose; to answer the call of God. I was absolutely overwhelmed as I saw members of my buss staring and yelling: "look! Look!". It was a sense of belonging perpetuated mainly by the humility of the dress code and the enormity of the cause. First I thought my sensation was hypnotic, then I pondered whether this was reality and the real hypnosis was my life previous to Mina. For once, one could not distinguish between the rich and the poor. For once, all races and colors united under one uniform illuminating the world to the fact that race and skin should bare no consequence on your affiliations, thoughts and actions. For once, people from over 150 countries spoke one tongue and carried one purpose. The tongue being the traditional chant of hajj: "Labayk Allahuma Labayk! Labayk La Shareek Lak Labayk, Ina Alhamda wal Neamata, Lak wal Mulk, La Shareek Lak!"
The chant literarily means: "I have answered your call Oh Lord; I have answered your call. I have answered your call thou who has no partner, I have answered your call. Verily thankfulness, blessing and power is yours thou who has no partner." This chant united the pilgrims in one purpose; that is submission.
In an era in which religion is slammed for being the motive for most violence and segregation in the world, my confrontation with the world of Mina proved otherwise. All races, colors and tongues were united not only by clothes, chants and worship but more importantly, they were united in purpose. No other power can unite 3.3 million people without hatred and crime. It is time to take a more positive stance on religion world wide. It is time to rethink and uphold the thought that religion is the only thing that can bring people together. Religion gives us a purpose in life, and not any purpose; religion gives us a legitimate purpose. Hajj is truly a journey of wonders. Pilgrims start towards Makkah from all over in huge numbers for one purpose. One can only really understand this when he sees Makkah. Makkah has a rocky desert terrain with extreme heat with no amusement, entertainment or touristic locations; hence, why else would all these people struggle to travel to Makkah if it was not for submission to God.
