Going to Umrah - Not sure what to feel

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- mclihah2
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Going to Umrah - Not sure what to feel
OP - October 05, 2017, 10:17 AM

Hi,

Not sure where I'm going with this one - I'm just trying to unwind my feelings - hopefully this will resonate with somebody out there.

I'm a married ex-muslim with 2 kids - Only person who knows about my atheism is my wife, and she is very nice about it - As she sees it, I'm a good guy and if Allah wills it then I will get faith.

Anyway, we're planning an Umrah trip and leaving in a couple of weeks. Going with kids, wife and in-laws (We have promised mother in law this trip for years).

The Kaaba and Makkah have always been a special place for me, I remember going when I was a child, and I have completed Hajj and Umrah myself in the past (when I was a believer) - They were all very special and profound moments.

...But I firmly do not believe in Islam as a divine religion, and am clearly an Ex-Muslim - although I have no bitterness about Islam

I'm looking forward to going, but that's more for the
* Atmosphere
* The living in a 5* hotel for 10 days
* The vibe
* The food
* Exploring around a little
* Visiting the mosque & Kaaba - Which are very impressive no matter how you look at it.
* being away with the kids & wife

But certainly not for a religious aspect -

Will I pray? Yeah, it would be rude not to - but that will be when I'm around my family. Generally, if I'm by myself, I'll be just soaking in the atmosphere and enjoying the sights, sounds and smells.

So again, I'm not sure how I feel about this...

But maybe I shouldn't worry about how I feel - maybe I should just go along and enjoy the ride - don't overthink it.

Does any of this make any sense to anyone - does anyone have any similar experience, or thoughts to add?
- PeruvianSkies
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Going to Umrah - Not sure what to feel
Reply #1 - October 05, 2017, 12:46 PM

You're a tourist now. That's how I would see it in your position. I hope you enjoy it! Definitely sounds like it can still be a good experience.

Also, you're very lucky to have her as a wife. She sounds very understanding

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Going to Umrah - Not sure what to feel
Reply #2 - October 05, 2017, 01:00 PM

I agree with Peruvian. Treat it like a vacation. Try some good local kabsah or some Bukhari rice and chicken – or have some spicy fried chicken at Al-Baik with that garlic sauce! Take pictures of all the hideous skyscrapers and the new construction around the Mosque. Enjoy the hotel and have a good time. Try not to do anything too blasphemous!
- Aqua
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Going to Umrah - Not sure what to feel
Reply #3 - October 05, 2017, 05:03 PM

Agree with what others have said, and it's awesome that your wife is so understanding. I want to go to Hajj just for the experience even though I'm not a believer. Enjoy the food! Just go with the flow because at the end of the day no one is making you do it - like you said it's a getaway with the wife and kids.

"Nothing lasts forever. Even the stars die."

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- mclihah2
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Going to Umrah - Not sure what to feel
Reply #4 - October 05, 2017, 07:13 PM

Thanks for the feedback. You all (thankfully) agree with my appraisal, which is to enjoy the experience. I guess there's no other way to view it?

Also, yes, I am blessed with my wife, she is absolutely lovely and I am very thankful that we found each other. I always try to repay that by being as good to her as I can.
- Quod Sum Eris
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Going to Umrah - Not sure what to feel
Reply #5 - October 06, 2017, 04:44 AM

I see others commented before me with the same advice I would give. It's not like anyone would say you have to be roman catholic to enjoy the sistine chapel. Religion was created by man, for man. Why not indulge in the parts you like?

`But I don't want to go among mad people,' Alice remarked.
`Oh, you can't help that,' said the Cat: `we're all mad here. I'm mad. You're mad.'
`How do you know I'm mad?' said Alice.
`You must be,' said the Cat, `or you wouldn't have come here.'
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Going to Umrah - Not sure what to feel
Reply #6 - October 06, 2017, 10:29 AM

Just focus on the family aspect and have some fun. If you think about the religious aspect you may ruin the trip. You know it will be fun
- yeezevee
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Going to Umrah - Not sure what to feel
Reply #7 - October 06, 2017, 01:55 PM

Quote from: mclihah2 on October 05, 2017, 10:17 AM
Hi,

Not sure where I'm going with this one - I'm just trying to unwind my feelings - hopefully this will resonate with somebody out there.

I'm a married ex-muslim with 2 kids - Only person who knows about my atheism is my wife, and she is very nice about it - As she sees it, I'm a good guy and if Allah wills it then I will get faith...............................

well you should go for the sake your wonderful better half ., But if I were you ..I go there just to say Hail allah hail hitler .. throw some stones along with crowd for an hour or stay in that sand land cities at best a day and take family/friends ......and run away to an Island such as this one

Do not let silence become your legacy.. Question everything
I renounced my faith to become a kafir,
the beloved betrayed me and turned in to a Muslim
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Going to Umrah - Not sure what to feel
Reply #8 - October 06, 2017, 02:00 PM

Quote from: Quod Sum Eris on October 06, 2017, 04:44 AM
I see others commented before me with the same advice I would give. It's not like anyone would say you have to be roman catholic to enjoy the sistine chapel. ~~Religion was created by man, for man~~ Why not indulge in the parts you like?

Nah... nooooooo.. let me rewrite that

"Religions were created by fools for fools"

that sounds better

Do not let silence become your legacy.. Question everything
I renounced my faith to become a kafir,
the beloved betrayed me and turned in to a Muslim
- Aqua
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Going to Umrah - Not sure what to feel
Reply #9 - October 06, 2017, 08:09 PM

I went back to Iraqi and Iran for a month last winter and I managed to have ano overall good time despite having my time and activities dictated by other people, having no personal space, eating the same thing every day, having to take showers once a week, and having to walk around religious sites wearing the awful abaya, and having my family constantly hover over their strange American niece and cousin. This coming from a super privileged person - I had the peace of mind knowing I get to come back to the u.s. after having to go there.

"Nothing lasts forever. Even the stars die."

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- yeezevee
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Re: Going to Umrah - Not sure what to feel
Reply #10 - October 10, 2017, 08:46 PM

Aqua says this
Quote
A for Atheist
A for Apostate
A for Aqua

and says this "Nothing lasts forever. Even the stars die."

and says
Quote from: Aqua on October 06, 2017, 08:09 PM
I went back to Iraqi and Iran for a month last winter and I managed to have ano overall good time despite having my time and activities dictated by other people, having no personal space, eating the same thing every day, having to take showers once a week, and having to walk around religious sites wearing the awful abaya, and having my family constantly hover over their strange American niece and cousin. This coming from a super privileged person - I had the peace of mind knowing I get to come back to the u.s. after having to go there.

So. let me rewire that

Quote from: Aqua on October 06, 2017, 08:09 PM
I went back to Iraq and Iran ..
wearing the awful abaya,
having the family constantly hover over me
that strange American niece
that snotty super privileged person -
had the peace of mind
because I know
I get to come back to the u.s.
after having to go there.
How many of Iraqis can say the same?
and how many Syrians can say the same?
very few.. very few... very few.
..

And I say
Quote
The Aqua posts
the Aqua drops
A drop of honey
The tears of happiness
Brings joy to the life

An angry Aqua falls
The agony of tears
The heart-breaking cries
brings pain to the life

The floods of Aqua
The storms of Aqua
The lightening from Aqua
brings terror to the life

Yet A drop of Aqua,
Is a treasure to desert plant
brings flowers from plant
brings comfort to the life
brings beauty to the soul
and brings thoughts to the mind.

AND and..

Mother or father
brothers or sisters
grand mothers or grandfathers
husband/s or life partners

DO NOT FALL FOR EMOTIONAL BLACKMAIL......

Do not let silence become your legacy.. Question everything
I renounced my faith to become a kafir,
the beloved betrayed me and turned in to a Muslim
- Aqua
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Going to Umrah - Not sure what to feel
Reply #11 - October 24, 2017, 04:12 PM

i love your selective quotations of me, Yeez
Also a very accurate poem describing me lol

"Nothing lasts forever. Even the stars die."

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Going to Umrah - Not sure what to feel
Reply #12 - October 24, 2017, 07:43 PM

Back off sister. I'm yeez's one, true love. Sure he's never written me a poem, but still.

Quote from: yeezevee on February 11, 2016, 02:05 PM
how fuck works without shit??

Let's Play Chess!

harakaat, friend, RIP
- Aqua
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Going to Umrah - Not sure what to feel
Reply #13 - October 24, 2017, 09:05 PM

i'm down for a love triangle

"Nothing lasts forever. Even the stars die."

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- yeezevee
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Going to Umrah - Not sure what to feel
Reply #14 - October 24, 2017, 09:39 PM

with those responses ..

it is time to go Umrah
and it is time to celebrate
it is time for Vodka lime with strawberry pieces
and it is time for love and dance

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hBKwtvnfYZA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lp98dLS5Z3A

Do not let silence become your legacy.. Question everything
I renounced my faith to become a kafir,
the beloved betrayed me and turned in to a Muslim
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