Inside Mecca is a delightful representation of the Islamic traditions being kept and performed by an individual and by the society of faithful Muslims. The film focuses on Hajj and three basic characters with totally different backgrounds coming to Mecca to perform Hajj for worshiping the God. Documentary shows the way these characters understand Hajj and what they are going through during it. It also shows how other people act during the Hajj as a community. In this review I will discuss the view of the Hajj, its meaning and importance in the Islamic traditions for and individual and for a society using the film material and other sources. Also, I will focus on the topic of the equality that this film is showing.
One important concept that film brings up, which is also a very fundamental in Islam is monotheism. Basically is the idea that there is only one God. Fidelma O'leary is one of the basic characters and one of the pilgrims. She chose Islam in her path of searching God. Quran states the idea of monotheism as follows:
In the very nature of the case, there can be only one God, for whenever one tries to conceive of more than one, only one will be found to emerge as the First: "And God has said, "Do not take two gods (for) He is only One" (Major themes of the Quran, page 12.)
Being raised Catholic and keep questioning her faith once she hears a person on the radio saying "If Jesus was God how could he worship God?" (Inside Mecca 7:15). For her it was a moment when all peace finally came together and a moment when she started her way as a Muslim. Since, all Muslims worship only one God and the name for him is Allah. The other fundamental concept of Islam is equality among all living man, what is also arose in the film while pilgrims came to Mecca for Hajj. Dr. Fidelma O'leary is American white woman, Khalil who works as a businessman is a back man, and the married couple Ismail and Asma are Malaisian people. According to Islam no matter of race and wealth people are equal to each other. For that reason Quran assumed, affirmed, and confirmed the idea that the essence of all human rights is the equality of the entire human race. This is the reason behind the special attire called Ihram that people have to wear during Hajj. Ihram is closing that Muslims wear before the pilgrimage. In the film they also state that wearing this outfit rich man and poor, educated an illiterate all look alike". However, both Fidelma and Khalil faced unpleasant questions and mistreat when people questioned their religion. This attitude disappointed them. However, they decided to stay calm during the Hajj not letting bad emotions and feelings to came out as anger or backbite. Khalil says that "when we are here, indeed we need to respect all human being" (Inside Mecca 34:08). The reason for them being disappointed about this situation, is a little more that the feeling of disrespect. It violates taqwa, which is a fear of God, or being conscious of God in order of performing good attitude and avoid bad. Violating Taqwa happens when they suspect people who look different of not being Muslims, even if it is clear that only Muslims can participate in Hajj. It was noted in Quran. "O you who believe! avoid most suspicion, for some suspicion is sinful, and do not pry into others' affairs and do not backbite each other" (Major themes of the Quran, page 39)
According to this taqwa other Muslims should not have been question the believe of their sisters and brothers, because as was noted they are all equal no matter of the nation. They let themselves questioning and suspecting them, this was more serious than just a simple act of disrespect. Amazing thing that film shows is that it shows the importance of the equality not only within the Muslim community but also within the all people of different believes. Traditions of Muslim people in performing Hujj that film showed was spinning around the Kaaba, performing Jumerat, running in the dessert imitating the desperate mother searching for water for her son. These traditions come from the Judaism. Where Abraham was said to sacrifice his own son, according to the most Muslims it was Ishmail, but according to the Bible it was Isaac. This was done to Abraham so he could prove his devotion to the God. At the same time the devil comes and wants him to disobey the God, making Abraham having doubts about killing his son. We know that early traditions develop every religion, giving context in which the religion will emerge. The one example of transmission of the traditions from on religion to another, is that in Mekka, the holy place people performing Hajj have to take off the shoes. In this case the film unites the three main religions that we are having nowadays Judaism, Islam and Christianity. Showing that they have the same roots and should be treated equally important, and their followers equally respected.
Being raised Catholic and keep questioning her faith once she hears a person on the radio saying "If Jesus was God how could he worship God?" (Inside Mecca 7:15). For her it was a moment when all peace finally came together and a moment when she started her way as a Muslim. Since, all Muslims worship only one God and the name for him is Allah. The other fundamental concept of Islam is equality among all living man, what is also arose in the film while pilgrims came to Mecca for Hajj. Dr. Fidelma O'leary is American white woman, Khalil who works as a businessman is a back man, and the married couple Ismail and Asma are Malaisian people. According to Islam no matter of race and wealth people are equal to each other. For that reason Quran assumed, affirmed, and confirmed the idea that the essence of all human rights is the equality of the entire human race. This is the reason behind the special attire called Ihram that people have to wear during Hajj. Ihram is closing that Muslims wear before the pilgrimage. In the film they also state that wearing this outfit rich man and poor, educated an illiterate all look alike". However, both Fidelma and Khalil faced unpleasant questions and mistreat when people questioned their religion. This attitude disappointed them. However, they decided to stay calm during the Hajj not letting bad emotions and feelings to came out as anger or backbite. Khalil says that "when we are here, indeed we need to respect all human being" (Inside Mecca 34:08). The reason for them being disappointed about this situation, is a little more that the feeling of disrespect. It violates taqwa, which is a fear of God, or being conscious of God in order of performing good attitude and avoid bad. Violating Taqwa happens when they suspect people who look different of not being Muslims, even if it is clear that only Muslims can participate in Hajj. It was noted in Quran. "O you who believe! avoid most suspicion, for some suspicion is sinful, and do not pry into others' affairs and do not backbite each other" (Major themes of the Quran, page 39)
According to this taqwa other Muslims should not have been question the believe of their sisters and brothers, because as was noted they are all equal no matter of the nation. They let themselves questioning and suspecting them, this was more serious than just a simple act of disrespect. Amazing thing that film shows is that it shows the importance of the equality not only within the Muslim community but also within the all people of different believes. Traditions of Muslim people in performing Hujj that film showed was spinning around the Kaaba, performing Jumerat, running in the dessert imitating the desperate mother searching for water for her son. These traditions come from the Judaism. Where Abraham was said to sacrifice his own son, according to the most Muslims it was Ishmail, but according to the Bible it was Isaac. This was done to Abraham so he could prove his devotion to the God. At the same time the devil comes and wants him to disobey the God, making Abraham having doubts about killing his son. We know that early traditions develop every religion, giving context in which the religion will emerge. The one example of transmission of the traditions from on religion to another, is that in Mekka, the holy place people performing Hajj have to take off the shoes. In this case the film unites the three main religions that we are having nowadays Judaism, Islam and Christianity. Showing that they have the same roots and should be treated equally important, and their followers equally respected.