Fattima getting ready to go to MeccaHuge clock tower built in meccaFoof near the mosque, lots of constructionAbdullah-little Abude, inside the holy mosque Abdullah in front of the Kabbah. Men wear a plain cloth, no sewn garments allowed, to signify equality
Inside the holy MosqueA journey back in time. Each movement has meaning.People come from all over the world to perform Umra and Hajj
he took a second wife, as he always threatened. Yes he can and even in Syria it was allowed. Not seen as a good thing at all! His family was furious!! Some refused him entry to their homes! So I lived with that for 3 years.
I have to tell you, when he did it, he sent me an email. It was the worst pain and almost ruined me! Then I begged to know if he would have children, hmm he didn’t know. he wasnt sure, more games etc. 4 months later I found out she was 4 months pregnant! I will be honest, that year just about took me down! I could barely take it! His child is now 5!!
When they were growing up we went to Mecca several times. That time was not great as they were on their first visit to see him after leaving. He suggested they go to Mecca and so they did.But it was a life time experience for sure!
yes the one and only. It is a huge area, over the years they have expanded and continue to do so. That is the one and only Kabbah and mosque. It is much larger than these little areas shown here.
Interesting pics. How did the kids enjoy it? Did they freely want to go on their own accord, sorry…just wondering as I know their their father is controlling. xxx
Brings so many memories of my visit there. Seeing the Kaa’ba was fascinating. I’d go back in a heartbeat if I could. I can’t believe his last child is five now! Lots of water under that bridge. You are a strong woman Lynn. 💕
Wow, your posts are always so interesting, Lynn! I just want to let you know that I recently started self-hosting my blog, so I am not on wordpress.com anymore, therefore you won’t get my post updates in the Reader. If you would like to continue getting my updates, you will have to manually add my blog URL (http://celebratingsunshine.com/) in your Followed Sites section.
I would love to stay in touch and for you to stop by my blog from time to time!
they used to take cameras away, no pictures. My kids went and he took all of these photos with his phone I guess. Well I moved here, left basically and when I did he came here, got me to reconcile, then a few months later married when I would not return, he announced that he had married. He immediately had a child, 9 months later! I would not have cared had he not threatened me with this all the time and also had he not come back and pushed me to reconcile! Also I found it difficult to divorce so was stuck!
What a fantastic place, and a wonderful experience for Foof and Abude. I can imagine the atmosphere in such a crowded place, and the feeling of awe must be overwhelming. Fantastic photographs – all very clear and colourful, and your children look happy and relaxed.
This is probably a silly question, but are non-Muslims admitted? I would imagine they’re not, but I really don’t know.
I just finished reading Martin Lings’ “Muhammad: His Life Based on the Earliest Sources” and it was my first look at the evolution of the religion (though not its customs and traditions). There is a lot about the Kabah in the book and it was quite a fascinating read.
I have often wanted to visit the holy places one needs to visit doing Hajj but I guess, that will not happen, because I am not a Muslim. So thank you, a lot, for sharing those photos and the happiness of your children.
Susie
So Foof’s name is Fattima? That’s pretty! I hope this isn’t offensive, but your children don’t look like their father is from the middle east. I bet that just made life at school even worst.
No not offensive at all Tasha! Well, over there you are who and what your father is. So, he is Palestinian and so they were told either- They were poor Palestinians or stuff about being American!! So, yes it was rough, but anyone who is different there is not accepted! Lots of very open prejudice. My daughter’s nickname which I will talk more about later, unbeliever!! She -Fattima was so blonde and green eyes and they saw me wearing pants. So they called her basically infidel for fun! I went in and brought them gifts and a map to teach them about other people!!!!!
Interesting Lynn! I’ve never seen so much of the inside, usually just the cube. I never had seen the clock tower before either. I know you said religion is difficult for you now. Do your children still practice Islam?
Well we are all basically Muslim but everyone is different. Some pray and fast, others are just still Muslim. he used it as a huge weapon, screaming and enforcing rules that were not from Islam at all! He made it scary and worrisome which it is not! So, we are all just living I think is what I can say. Even greetings he used to insist on us saying them, so then we didn’t want to say them after that, anger if we didn’t so we now are trying to rebuild and figure out who we are!
Wow, fascinating pictures!
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Thanks, the kids went in 2012 Foof and Abdullah-little Abude! they went to Mecca while they were there.
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I thought it was Foof from earlier photos but wasn’t sure which son. Loved it!
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Yes they were the first to go back in 2012! It was weird, his new wife and child were there, weird!!!
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Very…by Saudi law he can remarry even though still married to you?
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he took a second wife, as he always threatened. Yes he can and even in Syria it was allowed. Not seen as a good thing at all! His family was furious!! Some refused him entry to their homes! So I lived with that for 3 years.
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Oh, ick for you!! Especially as it sounds like he did it to punish you. What a jackass!
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I feel he did! It was mentioned to me, my children and then his friends who insisted on speaking with me on the phone to see if I understood!
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I hate to think of you going through all that. You are so strong!
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I have to tell you, when he did it, he sent me an email. It was the worst pain and almost ruined me! Then I begged to know if he would have children, hmm he didn’t know. he wasnt sure, more games etc. 4 months later I found out she was 4 months pregnant! I will be honest, that year just about took me down! I could barely take it! His child is now 5!!
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😦
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But thank God it is past, it was awful 😦
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Wow! What an amazing peek into the sacred world 🙂
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Thanks Elaine!
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I was surprised to see men and women in the same space?
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yes and technically it is forbidden to cover your face when praying or making Umra-Hajj! But people do it anyway. so many cultural things going on!
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Wow Lynn, how interesting!
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Thanks Antonia!
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It looks amazing but so scary when you consider the institutionalised nature of it all.
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It is really amazing, people from anywhere and everywhere. It is overwhelming
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I’m sure it is. But still, organised religion is a scary thing.
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It sure can be Cameron you are so right!
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Gorgeous pictures. It’s so interesting. I did not think men and women would be together.
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yes they are! And it is very crowded usually, the pictures I put are at a very calm time so not many people.
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What a beautiful setting for those pics. Just lovely. Such a cultural experience for your children, Lynn. I hope there are good memories. ☺
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When they were growing up we went to Mecca several times. That time was not great as they were on their first visit to see him after leaving. He suggested they go to Mecca and so they did.But it was a life time experience for sure!
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So interesting… Thanks, Lynn
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Thanks for viewing!
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Amazing photographs Lynz, I’ve never seen anything like these before! Lovely kids!
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So glad you like them!
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Fabulous!
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🙂 I thought it might be interesting!
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Wow! Seeing the pictures got me reliving memories. Visited it about two years ago, I can’t wait to go back.
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Yes an awesome experience for sure!
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Great photos! That is a very meaningful trip!
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It is very interesting and meaningful so right PJ! Thanks xoxox
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xoxoxox
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xxxx
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What a stunning building. So beautiful 🙂
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Thanks so much!
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Is this the mecca you see on T,V where people are crawling like ants in an aerial view
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yes! Up close and personal! but in this picture it is not a busy time of day or year so it’s bare
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It looks smaller up close than the aerial view you see on T.V and also from the aerial view seems a lot bigger than the photos. Is this the same Mecca
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yes the one and only. It is a huge area, over the years they have expanded and continue to do so. That is the one and only Kabbah and mosque. It is much larger than these little areas shown here.
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Thanks for clarifying and yes in the photos it doesn’t look that big. Thanks again
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most welcome
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Interesting pics. How did the kids enjoy it? Did they freely want to go on their own accord, sorry…just wondering as I know their their father is controlling. xxx
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He decided they would go. But it was a good experience. He used religion which was the worst thing to do!
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Interesting pictures and look inside a holy place. Reliving memories can’t be easy.
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It isn’t and does hang on
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It must be a stunning experience to be there and walk around it once in your life!
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yes so true! Thanks Erika!
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You are welcome, Lynn!
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🙂
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Brings so many memories of my visit there. Seeing the Kaa’ba was fascinating. I’d go back in a heartbeat if I could. I can’t believe his last child is five now! Lots of water under that bridge. You are a strong woman Lynn. 💕
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Thanks Diane! It was great to see you!
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Great photos! And it sounds like a wonderful experience for your kids.
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It was! thanks
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Amazing pictures of the Mecca and your kids. Thanks Lynn! 🙂
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Thanks Spear!
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So very interesting to see photos from such a different culture! Thank you for sharing them with us, Lynn!
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you are most welcome! I thought it might be interesting for people to see. Glad you liked it.
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Wow, your posts are always so interesting, Lynn! I just want to let you know that I recently started self-hosting my blog, so I am not on wordpress.com anymore, therefore you won’t get my post updates in the Reader. If you would like to continue getting my updates, you will have to manually add my blog URL (http://celebratingsunshine.com/) in your Followed Sites section.
I would love to stay in touch and for you to stop by my blog from time to time!
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ok I will see how to do that! If you can add me or follow me then it would easier.
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I will surely do that, Lynn! 🙂
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Thanks Ana! I have been through this with lots of friends and it is hard for me to figure out sometimes.
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How very special!
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Thanks Paula, I thought people might think it’s interesting to actually see what it is really like.
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Yes! Very interesting!!
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So glad you think so.
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Wow, were you allowed to take photos inside? How did it work when he took a second wife, did you have to live with her? Or did he live in two homes?
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they used to take cameras away, no pictures. My kids went and he took all of these photos with his phone I guess. Well I moved here, left basically and when I did he came here, got me to reconcile, then a few months later married when I would not return, he announced that he had married. He immediately had a child, 9 months later! I would not have cared had he not threatened me with this all the time and also had he not come back and pushed me to reconcile! Also I found it difficult to divorce so was stuck!
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Great to see it all, after always hearing about Mecca. Your pictures give a very good insight into it all.
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Thanks Joan!
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What a fantastic place, and a wonderful experience for Foof and Abude. I can imagine the atmosphere in such a crowded place, and the feeling of awe must be overwhelming. Fantastic photographs – all very clear and colourful, and your children look happy and relaxed.
This is probably a silly question, but are non-Muslims admitted? I would imagine they’re not, but I really don’t know.
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No one who is non Muslim can enter the city of Mecca or Medina!
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I thought that was the case. I just wondered whether they allowed entry when the Hajj and other special events were not taking place.
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Very interesting Lynn.
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I hoped people would find it interesting!
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Wow! Fascinating! Thank you for giving us a peek into this world! xo
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you are most welcome! I was hoping people would find it interesting!
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This is so timely and interesting, Lynn! Thank you!!!
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you are so welcome! I might put more up later if people are interested. I have been there maybe 3 times but the kids way more.
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Good pics !
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I just finished reading Martin Lings’ “Muhammad: His Life Based on the Earliest Sources” and it was my first look at the evolution of the religion (though not its customs and traditions). There is a lot about the Kabah in the book and it was quite a fascinating read.
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Wow thanks for telling me how cool!
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Thank you for sharing this…what a beautiful building…..kat
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Thanks Kat! x
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Stunning!
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Thanks for viewing!
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You are welcome, Lynz! I am thankful for your sharing and grateful to have a chance to visit your blog 🙂
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Thanks so much for visiting
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It’s always my pleasure 🙂
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🙂
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🙂
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Lynn,
Can one visit Mecca all through the year ?
The children look so happy and well. God bless !
Susie
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yes you can visit Mecca any time. It is called making Umra which is very short compared to Hajj which lasts for 5 days. Thanks Susie!
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I have often wanted to visit the holy places one needs to visit doing Hajj but I guess, that will not happen, because I am not a Muslim. So thank you, a lot, for sharing those photos and the happiness of your children.
Susie
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Thanks for viewing Susie!
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Fabulous photo’s and fascinating to see Lynz
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Thanks Sue! so glad you find it interesting
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Thank you for sharing your beautiful photos!
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thanks for viewing them Jasmine!
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Beautiful pictures.
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Thanks
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Beautiful photos, Lynne. Good looking family!
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Thanks! I hoped everyone might find this interesting!
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So neat to get a peak at this through their visit!
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so glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for viewing!
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Beautiful pictures. You have good looking children.
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Your so sweet thanks !
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So Foof’s name is Fattima? That’s pretty! I hope this isn’t offensive, but your children don’t look like their father is from the middle east. I bet that just made life at school even worst.
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No not offensive at all Tasha! Well, over there you are who and what your father is. So, he is Palestinian and so they were told either- They were poor Palestinians or stuff about being American!! So, yes it was rough, but anyone who is different there is not accepted! Lots of very open prejudice. My daughter’s nickname which I will talk more about later, unbeliever!! She -Fattima was so blonde and green eyes and they saw me wearing pants. So they called her basically infidel for fun! I went in and brought them gifts and a map to teach them about other people!!!!!
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Interesting Lynn! I’ve never seen so much of the inside, usually just the cube. I never had seen the clock tower before either. I know you said religion is difficult for you now. Do your children still practice Islam?
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Well we are all basically Muslim but everyone is different. Some pray and fast, others are just still Muslim. he used it as a huge weapon, screaming and enforcing rules that were not from Islam at all! He made it scary and worrisome which it is not! So, we are all just living I think is what I can say. Even greetings he used to insist on us saying them, so then we didn’t want to say them after that, anger if we didn’t so we now are trying to rebuild and figure out who we are!
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Süper
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