“Have you ever been the recipient of a random act of kindness,” my son Saqib asked.. . . It was August 8, 1986. Khalid and I got stuck in Mecca. Now, Muslims never say that. To be in the holy city of Mecca is a privilege. It’s almost blasphemous to even consider oneself as being stuck. But bear with me as I set the stage.
Read moreHajj Day 1: In The City of Tents
Dear Son,
Today you begin the first day of Hajj. You are in the valley of Mina, the city of tents. This will be your home for the next five days. You are among three million pilgrims, in the largest congregation on earth, performing your once in a lifetime obligation as a Muslim. I wish I were with you. As I pray that your soul be immersed in spiritual fulfillment, I am reflecting on my pilgrimage years ago.