What my pilgrimage to Mecca taught me

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While on the journey to perform Hajj, the Muslim pilgrimage to Makkah (Mecca), I realised that Hajj was asking something much deeper of me. It was asking me to leave behind not only my home and possessions, but also my pride, attachments, fears and illusions of control.

When I entered ihram — the sacred state pilgrims enter, symbolised by simple clothing — I felt that something within me was being stripped away. The distinctions by which I sometimes measure myself seemed to lose meaning. I noticed that my nationality, education, appearance and social position became insignificant. I found myself standing before Allah (God) dressed simply, vulnerable and equal. The simplicity of ihram also made me think about the transience of this life.

When I first........

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