To Makkah and The Hajj: The Greatest Journey

Young. Old. Some still unborn. Rich and poor. Humanity. Of all races. Of both genders. Over two million people. From almost all of the World's nations and countries. Arrive in Makkah, Saudi Arabia. Annually during the twelfth month of the Lunar, Islamic calendar: Dhul'Hijjah - ذو الحجة. At a rate of hundreds every minute. By land. By sea. By Air and ....on every kind of camel. That is the Hajj. Going for the Hajj is the greatest journey a Muslim can perform in one's lifetime. A journey that every able bodied Muslim who can afford, must perform.

Old Sana'a: One of the World's architectural gems

"The capital’s Old City is one of the world’s architectural gems, a thicket of unearthly medieval towers etched with white filigree and crowned with stained-glass windows. But more unusual than their mere survival is the fact that the traditional building arts continue to thrive here. Elsewhere in the Middle East, many older houses are being ripped down to make way for bland steel-and-glass high-rise buildings. The hyper-modern skyline of Dubai, United Arab Emirates, with its mismatched skyscrapers looking as if they were hurled down at the Persian Gulf from outer space, is being emulated in Beirut and other cities."

That's how Sana'a Old City is described in an article just published in The New York Times. The article goes on:

Sights from Amman, Kingdom of Jordan

Of Middle East cities, Amman: cosmopolitan, thriving, lively, exciting, on several hills - is not only the most pleasant, but is also the most picturesque. It captivates you with its hilly, rolling scenery. Its many stunning old buildings and ruins: Byzantine, Roman, Omayyad and British. Its modern, neat, enchanting streets with their unique white buildings. Its many mosques and souqs. Its many underpasses, bypasses and underpasses. Amman is ancient and modern. Here are a few more photos of Amman:

A touching story from a Soqotri...

I have just read this touching story about Soqotra and one of its descendants now living in the UAE. I quote:

Qat Dries Out Land and People

Is it worth chewing qat? It depends on who you ask; most people here in Yemen believe, qat is a necessity and a normal part of daily life. Although most people in Hadhramout still frown on the chewing of the narcotic leaves, its use is fast spreading.

Qat is at the center of Yemeni culture. Especially for men. It brings people together and many discussions and decisions are made during the chewing of the leaves. Cultivating qat and the trade of the leaves, keeps many people busy and gives many a source for earning income. Millions depend on it. The chewing of qat too, has made many here who would have opted for much worse intoxicants - avoid them.

In most neighboring, Arab and Muslim countries, qat is banned. In many other parts of the world, it is considered a crime to possess qat. Most religious scholars consider qat's bad sides too many, but very few have declared it haram. Medically, qat has very adverse side effects. No matter how one looks at it - the cost of growing and chewing qat is just too much. And with time, it keeps adding and piling up.