DOCUMENTARY I: "INSIDE MECCA"
Saturday, February 07, 2004

With a huge crowd of participants, we viewed the National Geographic Documentary "Inside Mecca". Then Dr. Fidelma O'Leary, our special guest and one of the subjects in the documentary, answered questions about the documentary and her personal experiences performing the Hajj. Dr. O'Leary is an Associate Professor in Biology at St. Edward's University here in Austin. She is a co-founder of the organization "Freedom of Faith". The evening continued with informal discussions. Refreshments were served.

The one-hour long National Geographic documentary follows three Muslims (one of which is Dr. O'Leary) from different countries and backgrounds as they embark on this five-day trip, and depicts what goes on in Mecca during the Hajj, showing why 2 million Muslims from all over the world gather in the holiest city of Islam during the designated month.

Considering the huge number of participants, this program was very timely. It was the season of Hajj, in fact the Hajj had ended a week ago with the feast of sacrifice. 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 renew their spiritual commitment through an elaborate series of rites and rituals. The Hajj brings people of every nation, race, and status together in worshiping God.