The Englishman Who Sneaked Into Mecca and Defied Instant Death
One of the greatest and most irreverent explorers in history
Islam has a rich history and tradition of sacred rituals dating back to the days of Muhammad. For centuries, devout Muslims have taken elaborate pilgrimages to Mecca and Medina, the holy cities of Islam. The ultimate goal of these journeys, known as the Hajj, is to visit the Kaaba. The Kaaba is a holy relic situated in Mecca. Access to Mecca and large swaths of Medina, and especially the Kaaba, are off limits to non-Muslims. Under no circumstances are nonbelievers allowed to enter these spaces. This has always been true. These spaces are some of the most jealously guarded places in the world. Entering them as non-Muslims, especially under the guise of deceit, is unconscionable.
In ages past (and perhaps even today), being discovered as a non-Muslim within Mecca would lead to certain death. Few people even thought about undertaking such a dangerous and irreverent venture. For the vast majority of people, such a thing would be impossible. Pilgrims are required to know about the intimate details of Islam, and speaking Arabic is a must. A person able to sneak into Mecca would have to be fluent in not just Arabic but also Islam as a whole. What non-Muslim could ever achieve such a feat?
