mmp008's blog

The first step when Muslims get to Mecca they are suppose to cleanse the hands and feet. In Religion class we just used some good old bottled water and washed our hands. Second, the Muslims circumambulate around the Ka’aba seven times. Although Morningside couldn’t take the Intro to Religion class to Mecca we found a Ka’aba that was probably just as good as the original. We circled around a black cardboard box in the middle of the “M” seven times and one of the times we had to touch the Ka’aba. After circumambulating the Ka’aba, Muslims run between 2 hills seven times “looking for water”. They do this because Ishmael’s mother did this trying to find water for her dying son. And on the seventh time a natural spring appear and she can save her dying son. In our trip to Mecca, we ran between 2 trees 7 times. I’m just glad we didnt have to run up and down Dimmitt Hill. After finding water, Muslims stand in silence for a day, also known as Prejudgement Day. They think about death and judgement day on top of Mt. Arafat. We only stood in silence for one minute tho in our Morningside Mecca. After being silent, they cast rocks at the 3 pillars. They throw 7 stones at each pillar. They do this to remember Abraham casting out the devil. After the Muslims cast out the devil they return to the Ka’aba and recircumambulate the Ka’aba. And after that they sacrifice an animal by a halal butcher.