Mecca Like You've Never Seen It Before: 10 Amazing Hajj GIFs

October 12, 2013 Subscribe · Forward Mecca Like You've Never Seen It Before: 10 Amazing Hajj GIFs Hundreds of thousands of Muslims are flocking to the holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia to perform the Hajj pilgrimage, which takes place this year from October 13th to 18th. Dressed in white clothing and in a state of ritual purity, they have come from all over the world to participate in one of Islam's five pillars, an obligation for every Muslim who is physically and financially able to do so. The faithful begin by circling the Kaaba seven times in a ritual called tawaf. Muslims believe that the Kaaba was built by Abraham and his son Ishmael.  Continue reading... Pity the Values Voter Summit The Hajj Pilgrimage At A Glance Gender-Based Abortions Spark Outrage In England Vatican Misspells 'Jesus' Vatican Does Damage Control With Pope Francis' Explosive Statements The Voice Of Islam For The Next Generation Vatican Misspells 'Jesus' LOOK: The World's 50 Most Unusual Mosques What Happened When Anti-Gay Mormon Parents Discovered Their Son Was Gay PHOTOS: Muslims Make Human Chain To Protect Christians During Prayers BRETT GALLAHER Five Cool Things Fundies Should Know About Christianity I've often wondered what would happen if average people actually knew about Church history and theology. For your benefit and/or your entertainment, I thought a list of some of the more awesome-er contemplative issues I've come across would make for a smashing good time. Continue reading... FRIDA BERRIGAN What Should Church Look Like? I am a Catholic in waiting -- waiting for my church to remember the Gospels, to be a justice and peace-seeking community, to be fully inclusive of women and to be welcoming to people who are not heteronormative. Continue reading... REV. ADAM J. COPELAND 5 Reasons Why I Pray That Bishop Eaton Joins Twitter I don't think Bishop Eaton should join Twitter to collect followers, or compete with Joel Osteen or Rick Warren for pithiness (though Eaton's wit would be a blessing on Twitter, for sure!). Instead, I hope Bishop Eaton joins Twitter so she can lead us in following Jesus, online and in all the world. Continue reading... REV. PETER M. WALLACE An Afternoon With the Dalai Lama: Can a Secular Ethic Unite Us? In using the phrase "secular ethics" as a goal, the Dalai Lama makes clear that his definition of "secular" is not our typical Western understanding as nonreligious, rather it intends to be inclusive of all approaches, nonreligious and religious; it transcends our concepts of religion. Continue reading... REV. DR. NANCY WILSON Shutdown, Lockdown -- Stand Down! Today, political hardliners seem more callous than ever. They act like they would rather there be no government than a government that implements a legally voted piece of legislation -- the Affordable Care Act. It Continue reading... Received this from a friend? Sign up for alerts from The Huffington Post here. Unsubscribe here. Huffington Post, 770 Broadway, New York, NY 10003