experiencethatleaveslonglastinganddeepimpressionsonthe psycho-
logical and spiritual dimension of the pilgrim.
BeforeenteringtheholyterritoryofMeccaanditsvicinity,itisneces-
sarythat allpilgrims changeintoihrām.Ihrām(pronounced asehrām)is
simple dress for pilgrims: For men, it consists of two extra-large size
whitetowels—onetobetiedfromthewaistdowntotheknees,andthe
othertobeplacedoverthe shoulders.Forwomen,itconsistsof atwo-
piecesimplewhitedress.Also,nocosmeticsareallowedwhileaperson
isintheihrām.Thisdresstakesawayallmeansbywhichapersonwould
distinguishhimselfbythe useofdressandcosmetics;youarenoteven
allowed to look at yourself in the mirror.
When the pilgrim reaches Mecca, he has to proceed to the Holy
Mosqueanddotawāf—going aroundthe Kabahseventimes.Thisuni- formityindressandaction—allbelieversmovingaroundtheKabahhas
a strong impactin bringing out the real identity of a person: you are
nothingbuta slaveof God, andin thisthere isno differencebetween
you and the next person doing the tawāf.
Itisappropriatetoquotetheimpressionwhichhajjhadononeofthe
most famous Muslim figures in the Afro-American communityof the
USA, Malcolm X.
“Therewere tens of thousands of pilgrims,from all overthe world.
Theywereofallcolors,fromblue-eyedblondestoblack-skinnedAfric-
ans.Butwewereallparticipatinginthesameritual,displayingaspirit
ofunityandbrotherhoodthatmyexperience inAmericahadledmeto
believe never could exist between the white and the non-white.
“AmericaneedstounderstandIslam,becausethisisthe onereligion
thaterasesfromitssocietytherace problem.Throughoutmytravelsin
the Muslim world, I have met, talked to, andeven eaten with people
whoinAmericawouldhavebeenconsideredwhite'—butthewhite'at-
titude wasremoved from their minds bythe religion of Islam.I have
neverbeforeseensincereandtruebrotherhoodpracticedbyallcolorsto-
gether, irrespective of their color.”[28]
* * *This lesson has been written by Sayyid M. Rizvi.