n>I’ve never been on the pilgrimage to Mecca that all Muslims who are able to must make at least once in their lives, but growing up I learned the rituals expecting to one day make the trip. At a young age, we practiced. The Islamic school I attended set up a mock Kaaba, the black cube at the center of the Grand Mosque, in our gymnasium. The students dressed in the all-white ihram, the customary, equalizing plain clothing worn by pilgrims, and studied the special prayers we’d all hoped to one day repeat around the real thing. I didn’t doubt for one minute that I’d eventually be able to make it. Read Full Article »