InterFaith21

Just back from an inspirational “Community Thanksgiving Prayer Service” followed by a reception, all of which were humbling and for which we are grateful, at St. Vincent Ferrer Church in Delray Beach. Meanwhile, I continue to be fascinated by this year’s convergence of Thanksgiving and the Hajj, the pilgrimage to the holy city Mecca.

On Friday, Muslims celebrate Eid al-Adha marking the success of the Hajj.

But the height of the Hajj, at Arafat, actually coincides with Thursday, our Thanksgiving Day.

Time differences between Mecca and the U.S. notwithstanding, the Eid follows the day that the millions of people participating in this year’s Hajj will spend in communion with our Maker, in the barren desert a few miles outside of Mecca.

So….millions of people, of all stripes, wearing simple clothing, like the countless millions before them throughout the ages, hanging out in a place where there is little to distract sincere seekers from the remembrance of our Creator.

We’ll be praying for their success and safety, and trusting that their prayers of good will be answered, even as we know untold many of them will be praying for humanity.

Sharing a few Hajj links:

A search of the British Broadcasting Company site yielded some interesting items, including video clips such as

Muslims brave swine flu for Hajj

And

“It is an ocean of people”

And for yet another perspective, there also was a link to the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Hajj website that provides general information about the pilgrimage.