“The hajj is one of the great cultural and spiritual events on earth, but one which most of us know far less about than we do about things that happen in outer space and under the sea”, says Taran Davies co-producer of Journey to Mecca a new Imax film about the hajj.

The hajj, of course, is nothing new. Muslims have been performing this once in a lifetime act of worship for 1430 years. The institution is as old as the Ka’bah itself which according to traditions was established some 4000 years ago in the barren lands of central Arabia. The ceremony is commemorative of Prophet Abraham’s acts of devotion.

However, over the centuries perceptions and expectations have changed. This change presents new challenges every year. What with the threat of security, accidents, fire and terrorists, the House of Saud finds every hajj season a bit unnerving and it is not surprising that – with trouble brewing on its borders – Riyadh has warned that it will not allow anyone to undermine security during hajj season, which beings this year on 25 November.

“Hajj”, says Khalid Baig, a California-based writer, “is at once an intensely personal and a superbly collective act of worship. Today its role in our collective life has been severely watered down by the rulers over the land of hajj and by an ummah that has lost touch with its mission.”

Mohammad Khan, a dentist who visited Mecca recently says: “The landscape of Mecca and Medina has been changed beyond recognition, through obscene attempts at emulating tourist resorts, thereby producing a historic disconnect for the holy land.”

“It was here that the mission of the prophet reached its peak when 124,000 companions performed hajj with the prophet in 10 AH.”   »»» Syed Neaz Ahmad in guardian.co.uk

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