“Peace. It does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble or hard work. It means to be in the midst of those things and still be calm in your heart.”

Whoever quoted this must have visited the city of Makkah. 

The holy city received over 6 million visitors last year during Umraah (mini holy pilgrimage) season and close to 20 million visitors in the holy month of Ramadan (which lasts for 30 days).

Can you imagine finding spirituality amidst millions? I can’t! But you may. In your own way. In your own time. 

I don’t believe God intended for me to find a solitude retreat at Makkah. That I can find in the corner of my bedroom on a prayer rug. He wanted me to know amidst the inevitable chaos we call life, I hold the power to find and create my own peace. For God is Everywhere you need Him to be. 

Pour your heart out

On the journey there…

Gate into the City of Makkah

Quran Gateway

More than a million cars were parked in designated parking slots last year during the month of Ramadan (source)

The Clock Tower

Masjid-Al-Haram

The City

Last year, the Makkah municipality received an average of 2,555 tons of waste mainly from the Haram and central Makkah region each day of the month of Ramadan (source)

The Holy Water

We stayed at Hotel Dar-al-Ghafran located in this tower – thumbs up!

Kaaba

and when the crowd takes over…

To Al Safa and Al Marwah

One last look…

These pictures were taken at the end of our Umraah. And Kaaba was photographed the day after a few hours before Fajr (dawn).

I hope any who wishes to, embarks on their own spiritual journey one day wherever it may take them and bring back with them a greater and renewed sense of responsibility to oneself and humanity. Spirituality is empty if it fails to teach you humility.