
My family make it a yearly trip to Saudi Arabia,(but not recently) to learn about the history of our religion Islam.
I get to learn and to see for myself all the landmarks important in Islam. I have visited The Grand Mosque, Masjidil Haram and it is a beautiful mosque, the biggest
one I have ever seen. In Masjidil Haram is the place of Holy Kaabah, the direction to where all Muslim prayers are directed. Kaabah is a black cuboid, believed
to have been built by Prophet Adam with the help of angels. At one edge of the Kaabah is Hajar Aswad, a stone from Heaven. Initially
the stone was white in color, but it is black now. There will always be Arabian policemen who will guard Hajar Aswad, 24 hours everyday, to maintain order, as most pilgrims will
want to kiss it. I have kissed it before.
The last time I visited Mecca was in middle December 1999. We only went to Saudi Arabia this time, unlike previous trips where we
would go to Saudia Arabia and another country. This time we went there to experience fasting, I spent my Ramadhan there, an unforgetable
experience for me. To live in Adelaide for a year, to be away from home, and then to go to Mecca during the Ramadhan makes me
more aware of myself and my religion. I look forward to visit Mecca again because I know I will.