Today, there are over two million pilgrims gathering on the plains of Mount Arafat, near Mecca in Saudi Arabia. And Mecca, for those who don't know it, is the last place that can be called a "tourist attraction!" It's a small town, in the middle of the desert, harsh nature, full of rocky mountains. So what is it that calls these millions every year to that place?

The roads inside Mecca run across its mountains, like the veins in the body, all to its heart: the Ka'abah -- a simple, yet majestic cubic building, toward which all the Muslims pray five times a day. This building has a symbolic importance: of the unity and equality of all humanity, in the worship of God alone. Worshippers stand in circular lines around it: the circles start small, then expand until they become straight lines, further and further to the outskirts of the earth. At every second of the day, somewhere in the world, there's a group of Muslims standing in a line, and praying toward Mecca. One destination, one God.

A Muslim who affords it, should visit Mecca for pilgrimage (Hajj) at least one time in his/her life. The pilgrimage consists of a number of acts and rituals: Like walking seven times around the Ka'abah, walking between two nearby hills also seven times, throwing stones at a certain place, and spending a day of worship on the plains of Mount Arafat near Mecca. Each act symbolizes a different part of the story of faith, but I won't tell them now!

One of the remarkable facts about Hajj, is this great diversity of the worshippers in one place. People come from all colors, all ethnicities, speaking numerous languages, and from various social levels: the poor and the rich, the pauper and the king... but all are equal in front of one God: in the same humble piece of cloth. The Pilgrimage is like an international conference, attended by representatives of all nations. They come for the purpose of worshipping God, but they bring with them various aspects of their cultures. For the first time in their life, many of them are experiencing this kind of exposure -- not to a different culture, but to the most amazing cocktail of cultures that can exist in one place.

Across history, Mecca has been a city of peace. It is forbidden to hunt its animals, or cut its plants, let alone kill anobody in its vicinity! That is one of the first things a pilgrim must observe before he arrives. Quarrelling, even arguing is forbidden. So people arrive there determined to be peaceful!

And people want to be forgiven when they return home: Sinless as at birth! So also they arrive with a determination to be forgiven.

In order to deserve forgiveness, people arrive determined to forgive! You're there in the middle of incredible crowds. From time to time, you're bound to receive a harsh push from the back. Instinctively, you look back, but not in anger! You don't say "watch it, you moron!" and you don't get an "uh, sorry" in reply! Before your eyes meet theirs, you forgive. You're sure they don't mean to offend. There's not a trace of a doubt of ill will (strange, isn't it?) So instead of shouting, you give a warm smile, and you may even get a friendly smile in return! You might end up grateful to this stranger, whose sudden encounter with you, turns him into a dear brother, only to disappear in the crowds in a moment, determined to forgive, and also to be forgiven.

In Mecca, today, there are millions of people who came for the journey of their life. Yet admittedly, there are people who came with their bodies, but failed to bring their hearts with them. These are the minority who always find something to complain about: the crowds, the weather, or the delay of a meal! Yet, still, today in Mecca, there are people who have arrived with all their being and all their existence, except their bodies! These are Muslims who pray everyday toward Mecca. They live everywhere on the face of the globe. Everyday they long to see the birthplace of their souls. Their hearts are still seeking forgiveness at Mount Arafat, then streaming along with the pulse of faith, across the veins of Mecca, and deep to the Mosque in its center. Their hearts go floating, in a circular, peaceful movement around the Ka'abah, the same way they did, and will continue to be doing, everyday around the year, five times a day, in a pilgrimage of the soul.

Eid Mubarak!

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