Customer Reviews

Inside Mecca

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is a wonderful documentary of the Hajj with an inside view of the sacred city of Mecca. As a teacher of religious studies, I have seen several good documentary depictions of Mecca, but this is the best I have seen as it gives the viewer the perspective of a woman from Texas, a man from South Africa, and a man from Malaysia. This documentary takes the viewer on the Hajj, recounting the preparation for the Hajj, the journey to Mecca, and the various rituals associated with this Pillar of Islam. Most interestingly, the viewer learns about the meaning of the Hajj for the Muslim pilgrim. I HIGHLY recommend this DVD!

******

this is a wonderful video. the three personal stories from malaysia, south africa and the united states... provides the viewer with different - yet similar - journey to the house of god.

a black, white and asian muslims-- these three different lives from the rich in malaysia, and the working in the united states and poor of south africa-- take you on the journey from a-z hajj.

you see from the preparations in their respectives homes... to the final arrival at the ka'bah, in the heart of the masjid el haraam or the sacred mosque. their rites. their pains. everything.

this is a wonderful addition to any library. enjoy it!

An excellent report about Mecca, although the comments are a little different as on the sunna (Moslem Traditions), such as for example the history of Abraham and well of other subjects. However, the documentary is new for those which would like to know Mecca and its importance in the heart of a Moslem. In connection with South-African which was seen directing towards the camp-site of Africans of its country in the place to be with everone, it is especially not an act of racism: what he did not understand, nor the producers of the documentary, in the Mecca, the camp-sites are by countrys, so that when one loses oneself or his self, he can find or to be easily direct towards the camp-site of his country.

The video is well done, and beautifully photographed, as you'd expect from Natl Geographic. It is very educational as far as what people actually do on the Haj. I had thought the walking round the Kaaba was the climax but not so. Short, but good insight into something most non-muslims would never have the chance to see.

From a visual perspective you can't get much better than with National Geographic.

From a story perspective all of the facts about Mecca and Hajj are correct.

From the perspective of the people they chose to follow they could have chosen better. For example they choose an American convert University teacher that dresses in everyday western clothing doesn't cover her hair and she's divorced. Okay fine but really is that an average representation of most women in America that are Muslim? No...Muslim women may were slacks or skirts long sleeve blouses or dresses sure but most of them observe covering their hair.

Next they flash forward to Hajj...were the teacher continues to complain..."Oh it's too crowded"...hello she's visiting at the same time as 3 million other pilgrims.

Than she complains about having to sit and wait so long that she should be able to just over look all of her 3 million brothers and sisters and get to where ever she would like to go with out any waiting...

Oh yeah her suit case is too heavy...she packed it ?!?

"It's summer time and people perspire and they smell"...are you kidding me she even wrinkles her nose and roles her eyes a bit.

On the climax of the trip the day of Arafat where you spend your time in prayer and reflect on your life she looks over at her friend and says "I really want a husband...not too religious can you pray me up one" ?????? clearly she missed the entire point of why she was there.

On a more positive note their is a man from South Africa that is also featured but not as much and he really is there for the right reasons. His conversations and observations are touching and inspirational for anyone of any faith that has struggled in an environment of racism and controversy.

This was an excellent in-depth look at the Hajj or pilgrimage made by thousand of Muslims every year from around the world. This National Geographic DVD covers all the basics and alot more. I would reccommend this for Muslims and Non-Muslims alike

Inside Mecca presents the most capturing and three-dimensional documentation of the annual pilgrimage to Mecca and beautiful portrail of the universal principles of Islam during the days of the Hajj. It like a virtual hajj experience along with the witness of personal stories of the pilgrims and the mental preparation, physical strain and spiritual ecstasy they encounter on their life-altering pilgrimage of faith.

This is an extremely well done documentary. As a new Muslim, it gave me a brief idea, both physically and spiritually, of what what the pilgrimage will entail for me sometime in the future, God willing. In addition to what the pilgrims go through, it was very interesting to see "behind the scenes" of what the Saudi government does to prepare for the onslaught of millions of people who come from all over the world. My only criticism would be that I wish it were longer.

The idea of the film is to follow 3 pilgrims from the different parts of the world and use their stories to explain what Hajj is about. Well, the whole idea if following people and asking about their feelings sounds wrong to me. The pilgrims should be concentrated on other things rather then answering questions and trying to look good on the screen.

But the film also provide adequate information on the history of Hajj, major steps, events and places. And as pretty much in any National Geographic documentary the views are breathtaking.

Overall - highly recommended!

This wonderful DVD presents an intimate and three-dimensional documentation of the annual pilgrimage to Mecca and sheds light on the universal principles of Islam during the days of the Hajj. We experience the epic journey of a lifetime as we witness the personal stories of the pilgrims themselves - a woman from Texas, a man from South Africa, and a man from Malaysia - and the mental preparations, physical strain and spiritual ecstasy they encounter on their life-altering pilgrimage of faith.

Teachers/Librarians: 6th grade to adult - social studies/humanities.