大象传媒

From Remona Aly, Freelance journalist and editor:聽
Last week marked the end of the great Islamic pilgrimage known as Hajj, fondly referred to as the journey of a lifetime. I haven't made this spiritual biggie yet, but I have been to Mecca in Saudi Arabia on what鈥檚 called a lesser pilgrimage, re-inacting some of the ancient rites that symbolise sacrifice and trust. One of the rituals involves circling seven times around the Kaaba, believed to be the first house built to worship God. As I joined thousands of pilgrims floating around it like boats around an island, I felt a spiritual synergy with the sea of faces as our individual prayers rose up to a divine embrace.
聽I turned to my brother, thinking, wow, how great to see him so deep in reflection, immersed in this sacred moment, when he said, 鈥淒o you think we should have burgers for dinner?鈥� This year, instead of over two million people from all over the world, only a tiny fraction was allowed to perform the Hajj, leaving a vast emptiness around the Kaaba that鈥檚 usually bursting with pilgrims. Seeing these unpeopled spaces around us, whether it鈥檚 a sacred site, a silenced wedding hall, or the echo of a school playground, has been a severe blow to my heart. In these shaken times, I feel a sense of sacrifice even more keenly. Yet these empty spaces shouldn鈥檛 be the cracks that break us down, but the tools that build us up. What strengthens my spirit is how we are looking out for each other, making these sacrifices in the trust that it鈥檚 for a greater, mightier, and stronger good.聽
In the meantime, I don鈥檛 want to fill the empty spaces with fear or anxiety, but with perspective and hope. Knowing that the human spirit will always break free. As the Persian Muslim Sufi poet, Hafez, said, 鈥淔or we have not come here to take prisoners, Or to confine our wondrous spirits, But to experience ever and ever more deeply Our divine courage, freedom, and Light.鈥� I鈥檒l not confine my spirit, but let it breathe with courage and freedom, knowing the light is growing brighter. We will get through this, we will fill those spaces, and we will have burgers for dinner.