just watch it!

Dreadfully Boring

Absolutely Fantastic

it is the rare 'crazy' movie that actually has something to say.

What started off as just another class assignment, became a really informative, and fascinating movie, that I would recommend to all. The movie follows three completely different people, who have one thing in common: traveling to Mecca to fulfill hajj, one of the five pillars of Islam. The documentary provided the history of hajj, which was interesting since I didn't known much about it. However the focal point of the movie was not its history, but instead what hajj is like in the modern-day, this was shown when it described the many inconveniences that they endured traveling to Mecca. I particularly sympathized with the Daisy, who was white, and therefore got looks and was often questioned about being a 'real Muslim'.One aspect that I liked about the documentary was that it showed how the Hajj is a physical and spiritual journey. Each traveler, on top of the physical challenges was met with mental struggles. For example, both Fidelma and Khalil faced discrimination because of their ethnicity and gender even though everyone is meant to be equal before God. The document taught me that Mecca is not simply going to visit the Kabba, but instead a much deeper spiritual journey that people join to strengthen and fasten their relationship with Allah. Furthermore, seeing how much emotion people feel when experiencing hajj and simply seeing the masses that travel from thousands of miles away from all of the world to attend was incredible and gives perspective to those like me, who know very little about Islam.

Very disappointing by National Geographic, very low quality from all perspectives as a movie. can't you at least choose a music that is more related to the context? why in such a crowded context we hear only the voice of 3 people? can't you reflect and give more time to the event as a total? you are calling the movie "Inside Mecca", so reflect it all and not only the personal story of 3 people. it's also obvious you brought all the negative connotations in Mecca and emphasized them. did you make the movie to criticize the whole thing? then why not telling it clearly and name the movie something like "errors of hajj"?http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q7q_LcqbvKI This short film in the link, made by a normal person using a home video camera reflect it to me better that National Geographic, congratulations!!!

The National Geographic documentary "Inside Mecca" follows three pilgrims from Malaysia, South Africa, and the United States on their sacred journey to Mecca for the Hajj. Overall this film is very informative, and I would recommend it to anyone interested in learning more about the rituals practiced in the Islam.Before watching the documentary I had little education and experience with the religion Islam. I knew that one of the five pillars of Islam was the hajj and it is required of all who can manage it, however I didn't understand the complicity this pillar embodied. What amazed me was how challenging yet personal the hajj journey is. In fact while watching this film, you feel somewhat connected to the three totally different lives of the Muslims being followed. In fact, you even get a sense of the claustrophobic feel experience during their pilgrimage.The contrast between the three lives followed shows how personal this journey is. Although the ultimate goal of the Hajj is the same (honoring the covenant), each non-traditional Muslim experienced the five-day quest for salvation differently. For example, not only is trekking through the hot deserts long and tiring, but having to deal with discrimination on arrival due to ethnicity and looks was another struggle both Fidelma and Khalil handled. Overall however this journey is about personal faith. Everyone is there for the same reason, they are all coming from different backgrounds, but they are all equal. This film informed us of the procedure upon entering the holy city. Before entering the holy city, pilgrims undergo a ritual cleansing and declaration of intent to enter ihram, a state of spiritual readiness. All pilgrims dress in simple, uniform attire—two white sheets for men, loose dresses, and head scarves for women. By looking similar and through this process, their goal is to become equal in the eyes of God. My favorite quote states, "All races, all nationalities, all people in one place, concentrated, all in one direction worshipping the one God." Overall this personal journey illustrates the immense faith a religion produces.

National Graphic's, "Inside Mecca" makes use of unique access to Islam's holiest city to follow three different Muslims of very different backgrounds as they go though a five-day quest for salvation. "Inside Mecca" is able to capture the spiritual look, and claustrophobic feel most experience during their pilgrimage. Through three different viewpoints and the experiences of the participants, the viewer follows not only their physical journey, but also their spiritual one. One of the five pillars of Islam, the hajj is required of all who can manage it. Each year, Muslims from all over the world travel to Mecca to praise and give thanks to God, to ask pardon for their sins and to renew their spiritual commitment through rituals. This well made film gives a glimpse of a place most will never see or understand. I found this film accurate, and informative.