It came to be that I would participate in the 2006-2007 Hajj, the Islamic pilgrimage. For about a week I was part of three million or so Muslims going through the duties of the Hajj. Each sacred duty is outwardly symbolic and inwardly revealing. Whether it was changing into a simple; unstitched white garment, circling the Ka’ba, retracing Hajar’s (Hagar) search for water for infant Ismail (Ishmail,) camping at Mount Arafat, gathering pebbles and stoning the jamarat, or leaving Mina, each of these tasks has either reinforced preexisting notions or has led me to new truths.

“Ask your mom, ask her about the birds and the bees,” I said. “They’re different species!” my nephew said. I returned to tackling my Rocket Double burger. A few seconds later, I noticed he’s still staring, bewlidered at the fact that I mentioned birds and bees in one sentence. “I don’t know, that’s what I heard others say to their kids. ‘The birds, and the bees!’ Don’t look at me, I didn’t make it up,” I said, dipping some fries in ketchup.

I got my first comment abuse(tasteless vulgarities and obscene language) last night, around seven in the evening. I didn’t imagine a personal attack on me so soon after starting this weblog, it’s only been a week. But then again, I didn’t expect to have over 400 visitors on my first week either, which is way more than I ever anticipated! So, I guess I’m doing something right 🙂 And thank you to all who have so far visited, commented, subscribed and criticized on- and off-line.

I don’t know how or where it’s coming from, but as I walk, as I tread upon this earth, I look towards myself, my inner consciousness. I ask myself “where am I?” and “who am I?”. Do I look at the stars and see wondrous creation, behold the truth of the Almighty? Or do I feel doubt, fear and misunderstanding? I look at the world around me and I see nature: A breeze, the chirp of the birds, the rustle of the leaves and the smell of dust and pollen in the air.