Makkawi pigeons…
…plump; balletic as they strut, bob, peck, flutter….plop….perch and coo and then plop some more and more!! Dressed in a fine silvery sheen, beaded, bedecked, bedazzled….revered by many tracing their sacred lineage back to Nuh Alaihis Sallam, the birds mentioned in Surah Fil, and the blessed one who protected our Noble Nabi SallAllahu alaihi wasallam when he was in Ghar Thawr. (see previous entry for details/revision)
And while the Dar Al-Tawhid, Intercontinental hotel is one of the sought after residences for the pilgrims, these feathered guests are free-loaders on this very convenient ledge. No need for room service when all they do is glide down to their huge sufrah, the courtyard below, where a banquet is spread day and night.
Almost 7am daily the army of cleaners arrive performing their own choreographed balletic routine. Meticulously disinfecting, scrubbing and dousing the entire area as the venerable flock diligently supervise, ready to swiflty swoop, drinking from the puddles of water. They seem to exude a gregarious nature, with a few squabbles, but without the screeching and attacking seen in many of their other winged families.
The dynamics of the courtyard is a constant flux…the dense covering with pigeons changes to that of worshippers, a patterned canvas of a different texture and colour.
Imagine this sacred ground on That Day….bearing witness to centuries of the devoted coming and going, praying, worshipping, pleading, glorifying, weeping, supplicating, repenting, requesting, serving, maintaining…. feeding the feathered creation…..
….while the roving "sharks" cruise the ocean streets alert for a catch….another regular feature adding to the rhythmic dance that is Makkah. And guess whose car was gobbled this visit?
Alhumdulillah, Alhumdulillah, Alhumdulillah.
All good is from Allah Ta’ala whereas mistakes are from this humble speck. May Allah Ta’ala Bless all readers, bringing you all closer to Him and His Rasul SallAllahu alaihi wasallam. May He accept our humble efforts and grant us the capacity to be good and do good. Ameen.
