By Anju
Feature: Documentary
Director: Abrar Hussain
Languages: Arabic, English
Platform: Amazon Prime
This extraordinary documentary feature directed by Abrar Hussain about a day at the Haram in the famed city of Mecca begins with saying that “only Muslims are allowed to step foot in the city”. Each year it has a congregation of Muslims from all over the world for whom this pilgrimage is their dream of a lifetime. Of course, they have to apply to be eligible to be chosen.
It shows the first ever filming of the inner workings in the Haram. Prayers are spaced over 5 zones in a day that are known to and used by Muslims all over the world. These are Fajr, Dhur, Asr, Magrib and Isha. Sheikh Bander who handles social media introduces us to the smooth functioning and coordination of various departments in the Haram, be it a unique water dispenser method known as zam zam, on the toes cleaning staff of over 200, maintenance in the gorgeous walkways, religious affairs, IT department or the intensive sanitization of Kaaba, the tomb of Prophet Muhammad, that is at the centre of the Haram. There’s the process of making Kiswah, the black fabric wound around Kaaba that is gold embroidered with holy verses from the Quran.
Abrar Hussain captures breathtaking architecture of Haram in a way we haven’t seen before. Abdullah Rolle’s music composition is transcendental yet powerful.
Stars: ****
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