Mecca Visit by non-Muslims

Submitted by Ramesh (Saudi Arabia), Mar 19, 2011 at 18:43

I once drove from Taif to Jeddah and by mistake entered Mecca, which is forbidden for me as I am a Hindu. Infact there were 5 check posts and at each check post they let me in without any checking and without any guidance. Since I had some doubt about the place, I stopped in a Bakala (small supermarket) and asked an Indian man who was there. Believe me, there was a Saudi man also in the shop and both of them told that if by mistake it should not be punished and guided me to take a narrow road that goes through mountains and leads outside the Mecca area. I phoned my friends (Indian Muslims) and told them that I am in Mecca and in the event i am questioned, they should at least come to identify me.

Fortunately, I got out of Mecca without anyone stopping or questioning me and I got my confidence back. I am not sure what they would have done if i am found inside Mecca. I was happy i could go to Mecca even by mistaking the road, when such an opportunity can only be in the dreams of many Muslims but fear overtook this feeling soon. This happened in 2008.

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