Harvard Umrah Jumada II, 1444 A.H.

During the month of Jumada II, 1444 A.H. Sheikh Khalil and his wife Ustadha Samia had the opportunity to visit The House Of Allah in Mecca for Umrah. Below, you will find an account of this magnificent journey.

Alhamdulillah it’s been a week since we’ve returned from our Harvard Umrah trip sponsored by Harvard University for Harvard Muslim students led by myself and Shaykh Khalil. We’ve been blessed to have so many wonderful experiences on this trip, and some of them have really touched my heart personally.

We were lucky enough to have the opportunity to visit the Kiswa factory which produces the cloth of the Kaaba every year in Mecca. This wasn’t the first time I visited the factory; the group we led in 2019 were also granted a special visited. At that time we took the pleasure in having a special chance to actually take part in the stitching of the cloth of the Kaaba (called Kiswa) an opportunity no other visitors before us ever had.

Returning to the Kiswa factory this time, we expected and hoped that we would have this same chance again, but upon arrival we found out that they were no longer allowing visitors to take part in the practice itself. I lost any hope that I would get an opportunity like this again. I got over my feelings of disappointment and moved on with the tour.

When we were finishing up the tour I noticed a corner of the factory where workers were busy on a part of the Kiswa, so I went to explore that area to make sure we’d covered everything in the factory. I went over and found this older, kind gentleman calling me to over his work station. He asked me where I was from and when I told him I was Egyptian, he immediately stood up and had me sit in his seat and began teaching me how to make the stitches. This wonderful man has a deep love for Egypt and respect for Egyptian women, although he himself is not Egyptian. Maybe it’s because he knows the history of the Egyptian woman, Hajaar, who was the founder of Mecca with her husband, Prophet Ibrahim, and son, Prophet Ishmael (May Allah be pleased with them all). Maybe it’s because he appreciates the rich history of Egypt which used to produce the Kiswa for the Kaaba for over a thousand years; or maybe it’s because he is just a kind man that Allah SWT sent to make my day special. Whatever the reason behind his kindness, it really made me happy and I deeply appreciated it.

After I finished the two stitches I began heading out but he called me back. He reached his hands into his pocket - I assumed he would give me some candy - but to my surprise he pulled out a makeshift ring made from the real gold thread used in the Kiswa! This wonderful man was full of good surprises. Amu (uncle) Zaki was his name and has been what we may call “the Kaaba’s tailor” for the past 38 years of his life MashAllah!

I’m looking forward to seeing the new Kiswa InshAllah this year. The idea that one of the stitches done by my hand is an honor - an honor due to that kind man, Amu Zaki. This has been an unforgettable experience and I look forward to meeting him again InshAllah.

Comment by Bilal Mahmud المكافح المخلص on January 24, 2023 at 4:55pm

Comment by Bilal Mahmud المكافح المخلص on February 2, 2023 at 7:26am: Harvard Umrah Jumada II, 1444 A.H.

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