An Unexpected Spiritual Journey to Saudi Arabia (#141)
When I booked my flight to Jeddah, little did I realize that my visit would coincide with Ramadan, marking my journey to my 141st country as a profound spiritual experience. Embracing my Islamic heritage, I planned a religious trip to visit Mecca and Medina.
The moment I laid eyes on the Kaaba during my Umrah pilgrimage was surreal. Encircling this sacred black cube, towards which all Muslims around the world direct their prayers, I felt a deep connection to my faith. Located in Masjid al-Haram, the holiest mosque in Islam, it is believed that prayers here carry the reward of 100,000 prayers offered elsewhere. Combined with the fact that it was Ramadan, a sacred month in Islam where all good deeds, including prayers, are believed to be multiplied in reward, the spiritual benefits were immense. Fortuitously, the crowd was thinner than usual, allowing me the extraordinary chance to touch the revered Kaaba itself.
A fortunate work connection introduced me to Omar, a doctor from Mecca with roots stretching from the West Bank in Palestine through Kuwait and Jordan. Omar graciously invited me to his home for iftar, offering a warm glimpse into his family life. His wife kindly gifted me an abaya and matching scarf, a thoughtful gesture since I hadn’t brought one.
Omar later showed me around a bustling Ramadan bazaar outside the city. The vibrant market was filled with diverse stalls, from local delicacies and traditional clothing to mini petting zoos and even a sports car exhibition—a festival of community and celebration.
The next morning, Omar and I ventured to Hira Cave at the peak of Jabal an-Nour. This is where Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) received the first revelations of the Quran from Angel Gabriel.
Climbing the mountain at sunrise offered breathtaking views and a moment of reflection about the profound history of this place.
Omar also took me on a tour of various Hajj pilgrimage landmarks, making me feel like a high school student once more, reliving my Islamic Studies classes but this time in a much more vivid, real-world setting.
After performing Umrah a second time, the heat of the desert sun made the experience all the more intense and memorable.
I then traveled by train to Medina, where I reconnected with the family of a high school friend. Her sister and mother, having seen my Instagram posts, invited me to join them for iftar, enriching my visit with familial warmth and hospitality.
In Medina, I visited Masjid Nabawi, the Prophet’s Mosque, which is the second holiest site in Islam. Praying here during Ramadan is a profoundly moving experience, heightened by the nightly ‘Taraweeh’ prayers where the entire Quran is recited over the month, and the mosque fills with tens of thousands of worshippers from around the world. The sense of unity and devotion is palpable, transforming the vast expanses of the mosque into a single, breathing entity of communal faith.
The next morning, eager to explore beyond the traditional religious sites, I embarked on a hiking adventure in Medina. Taking an Uber to the outskirts, we climbed up a mountain, greeted by stunning views of the city spread beneath us. This hike isn’t a typical activity for pilgrims, but it showcases the diverse experiences Medina has to offer. It was a refreshing contrast to the crowded and structured environment of the religious sites, providing a personal moment of tranquility and a unique perspective on the region.
We then walked and joined my friend’s family’s tour group to see some of the historical sites like the Battle of Uhud, etc.
I then journeyed by train to Jeddah, where I was warmly welcomed by my sister’s friend, an Indonesian native who was born in Jeddah. His wife, born locally to Malaysian parents, was part of the diverse expatriate community that significantly shapes the demographic landscape of Saudi Arabia.
The country hosts a substantial expatriate population, with foreigners constituting about a third of the nearly 35 million residents. These expatriates come from various regions including South Asia, Southeast Asia, and other Arab nations, contributing to the rich cultural mosaic and economic development of the kingdom.
That evening, iftar was held on the rooftop of their sister-in-law’s family home. It was a memorable setting, under the stars, where I engaged in fascinating conversations with an Egyptian-Saudi woman about the nuances of raising children in Saudi and shared stories of our travels across the globe.
This journey through Saudi Arabia during Ramadan was not just a visit to a new country; it was a pilgrimage that deeply enriched my spiritual and cultural understanding. The connections I made, both old and new, underscored the profound hospitality and rich heritage that Saudi Arabia has to offer. The blend of religious significance and unexpected natural beauty made this trip uniquely memorable.
