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Inside Mecca (2003)
Inside Mecca
Inside Mecca 2003 is a National Geographic documentary film, which is about a spiritual journey to pilgrimage to Mecca for the Hajj. The film manages to illustrate how Islam brings people from everywhere to this place, and it shows that while people are directed to the heart of Islam, they believe that God is looking through each of their hearts. As it was said in the movie each religious faith has a center, and for Islam, such place is located in Mecca, the large mosque Al-Masjid Al-Haram with the most sacred site for Muslims- the Kaaba. It is not only that faith requires people to go there, but also it is actually a dream for most people to visit this place. However, although the sacred place gathers millions of people, it is only Muslims who are allowed to be there. The film shows not only a positive view of this journey, but it also demonstrates the possible paradoxes that are usually not seen for people, it shows how even Muslim people are struggling to get there and which issues they could face.
The film tells story of three different pilgrims from the USA, South Africa and Malaysia. Three of them had embraced Islam, and now they are trying to the ideal world of Islam embrace them, and each of them is willing to discover what are they really made of, to gain brotherhood and sisterhood, and to spiritually heal themselves. The journey starts for them with finding the special clothing that they will be wearing during the travel. It is also important to mention that the learning is required too. So, for example, it can be seen in the movie how the pilgrim from the USA was studying with a big interest in a small group before the journey. However, it is not all, before the travel the female Muslim also had to prove that she is a Muslim. Because she has not a very Muslim name and appearance, and as a female she was also required to provide a legitimate permission from a male close family member to travel to the holy site, which could be problematic for some people, in this case the woman was divorced, but she has a son, so it was not that complicated for her, however such demands could affect woman's and even man's feelings. In the film pilgrims are facing discrimination towards their race, appearance, and even there they could observe the difference of social classes, between rich and poor. That is what paradoxical, because as Muslims all of them are supposed to be equal and still inequality, discrimination exists. So, the pilgrims had to stay strong despite the weather conditions on their long travel, had to not lose their control and temper when they were facing discrimination, they had to show and prove their patience and respect because in the end, the goal of the journey is also to improve one's self.
In the film besides the storyline of three pilgrims inside mecca, there are some excerpts from old records, images of Abraham's portrait, and construction of the Kaaba. During the film it is possible to hear some traditional music, and also surah and prayers. There are some scenes that were taken from above in which that 2 million people or more could be seen, the chaos in which a person could die without a notice of others. And even though the people death accidents were not depicted in the film, there is a scene of animal sacrifice. It can be seen in the film that the trading is also taking a place there, however, during prayers the shops stop working and they become places for worship too. Also, in the film it is shown that people who are able to pay money can be treated and welcomed, with food and a comfortable place to stop provided. At the same time, the living condition of poor people is depicted in the film, and the act of charity took place. One of the pilgrims distributed some food, and that just showed the need for simple goods like food, and what the pilgrim was upset about is that not all of the pilgrims do charity.
In the film, the preparation for the journey is well depicted. How pilgrims' visions of the journey were changing, vision of brotherhood, justice, rightness, and simpleness. In the film it is demonstrated that pilgrims are possible to face different struggles, doubts, judgments, inequality and discrimination. How it is important no matter what to still stand for forgiveness, as the Hajj is a host of redemption. How emotional it could be to be surrounded by thousands of people, but still find yourself alone with God. In the end for pilgrims it was hard to say goodbye to this sacred place, because they had gained a lot, it was a great opportunity for them to rebirth.