{"id":297190,"date":"2025-06-23T12:00:43","date_gmt":"2025-06-23T11:00:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/?p=297190"},"modified":"2025-06-22T11:05:43","modified_gmt":"2025-06-22T10:05:43","slug":"annual-peace-odyssey-the-pilgrimage-to-the-holy-land-part-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/2025\/06\/annual-peace-odyssey-the-pilgrimage-to-the-holy-land-part-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Annual Peace Odyssey: The Pilgrimage to the Holy Land (Part 2)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Please note that this publication is rated for general readership. Parental guidance is recommended for minors, who may want to use this paper as a resource material.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

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Pilgrimage in every religion is commercialized by entrepreneurs, often detracting from the original peace essence of a pilgrimage; the undertaking is a spiritual journey involving introspection and reflection, literally in conversation with the Divine.<\/em>[1]<\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

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An artistic drawing of old Mecca. Note the compactness of the Grand Mosque Complex and the low wall with the buildings surrounding the Grand Mosque and the Kaaba in the centre.\u00a0 Photo Credit: Wikimedia commons<\/p><\/div>\n

Introduction<\/strong><\/p>\n

This Part 2, in the series on Pilgrimage to the Holy Lands of Islam- Mecca and Medina, presents the historical highlights of the pilgrimage and compares it with the present day journeys the pilgrims engage in overcoming the current international visa requirements, quota systems imposed by the Saudi Kingdom, as well as the existential threat of global terrorism, noting the recent bans on Muslim and African countries by the Trump Administration, controlling entry into the United States, of inhabitants of the listed countries, which is ever growing. As mentioned, in Part 1 of the series, pilgrimages to holy sites in different parts of the world, is an annual event attended by thousands of devotees in all religions, including The Martyrs of the Uganda Shrine [2]<\/a> encapsulating the execution of 45 devout Catholic and Anglican Christians for not converting. There are twenty-four (24) Uganda Catholic Martyrs, twenty-two were executed between 1885 and 1887 under the orders of Kabaka (King) Mwanga of Buganda. The most well-known martyrdom in a most brutal execution occurred at\u00a0Namugongo<\/strong>, about 15 kilometers from Kampala. On\u00a0June 3, 1886<\/strong>, more than 20 young men were\u00a0burnt alive<\/strong>\u00a0after a forced march from the royal palace.[3]<\/a> This annual event pays respect to the martyrs for their steadfastness in the face of death[4]<\/a>. \u201cIt is better to stand tall and be cut off, than to grovel in the sand\u201d.[5]<\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

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An artist\u2019s AI impression of the Grand Mosque during the period of Jahiliya, when up to 360 idols were placed in and around the Kaaba as part of the pagan worship.\u00a0 Strange fertility rituals during the period, included naked couples circumambulating the Kaaba in Mecca. Note the different designs, some of them resembling the Gods of Egypt, in antiquity.\u00a0 The Kaaba, itself was draped in smaller shawls, rugs and cloth by the paganistic culture.
Photo Credit: Wikimedia commons<\/p><\/div>\n

First Recorded Abrahamic Pilgrimage to Mecca<\/strong>[6]<\/a>,<\/strong>[7]<\/a><\/p>\n

The tradition of pilgrimage, in Islam, by Muslims, to Mecca and circumambulate the Sacred Kaaba in the centre of the Grand Mosque, predates Islam when a pagan rite was performed\u00a0 in the pre-Islamic era, of paganism and ignorance (period of Jahiliyyah<\/strong>[8]<\/a>). Thereafter, in recorded history of Mecca in the Quran, the pilgrimage dates back to the time of Abrahamic Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) and his son Prophet Ismail (Ishmael), Peace be upon them. According to Islamic tradition, the Kaaba was built by them as the first house of worship dedicated to the worship of the One God (Allah), in digressing to monotheism from the polytheistic practices of the Meccan tribes of that era.<\/p>\n

However, in recorded\u00a0Islamic history<\/strong>, the first Hajj pilgrimage was performed by the\u00a0Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him)<\/strong>\u00a0and the Muslims in\u00a0628 CE (6 AH)<\/strong>\u00a0under the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah. This was known as\u00a0“Umrat al-Qada”<\/strong>\u00a0(the Fulfilled Pilgrimage), as it compensated for the earlier attempt that was blocked by the Quraysh, tribe, who were in control of Mecca.<\/p>\n

The first\u00a0complete Hajj [9]<\/a> (as per Islamic rites)<\/strong>\u00a0was performed in\u00a0632 CE (10 AH)<\/strong>, known as\u00a0Hajjat al-Wida (The Farewell Pilgrimage)<\/strong>, led by the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) himself. This was his only Hajj after the advent of Islam and is highly significant as he delivered his famous\u00a0Farewell Sermon (Khutbat al-Wada)<\/strong>\u00a0at Mount Arafat, laying down the foundations of Islamic teachings.<\/p>\n

Pre-Islamic Pilgrimage (Jahiliyyah Period)[10]<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Before Islam, the Kaaba was a site of pilgrimage for Arab tribes, but it was associated with idol worship. It is narrated that there were 360 idols inside Kaaba, at one time. The Quraysh and other tribes would perform rituals, though many were corrupted over time. The Prophet Ibrahim\u2019s original monotheistic teachings had been distorted.<\/p>\n

In summary<\/strong><\/p>\n