The annual Haj pilgrimage to Mecca is going on now. Most worshippers stay in tents, presumably old canvas ones, or perhaps something a bit nicer from REI.
But the Taj Mahal of Haj tents has been erected in Mecca. The beauty, which cost over $200,000 to build, will be torn down five days after its abandoned by the wealthy pilgrim.
Pictured is the interior of this fine structure, courtesy of the Arab News, as is the below excerpt:
From the inside, it looks like a modern, luxury apartment in Manhattan, complete with Swedish furniture and indoor plumbing. From the outside, it is just another tent in a Haj camp in the middle of the holy site of Mina, Saudi Arabia.
Five-star service is what the pilgrim who has rented this ornamental tent is going to receive when he and his entourage arrive at the Adwaia Al-Iman pilgrim's camp.
It is not common to see such a tent next to those of the commoners in Mina or in any other holy site during the Haj season. But, nowadays, some companies are betting there are wealthy pilgrims eager to shell out prices far greater than those of any luxury executive suite on Park Avenue.
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The tent is divided into two main sections. The first section has three lavish bedrooms, a large living room and two bathrooms (one is in the master bedroom). The other section is smaller and it has one bedroom, one bathroom and a medium living room.
Even by the standards of the rich pilgrims that seek out Hussein'’s services, this tent is an extreme example.
"The charge for providing this tent is SR800,000 ($213,000) for five days only," said Hussein. "But this charge also includes five-star transportation and meals."
Of course one of the five Pillars of Islam is Zakat, giving what is in the end Allah's wealth to those less fortunate. I believe 2 1/2 percent of a yearly income is that agreed upon amount to be given away, but there is no reason (hint, hint, I'm talking about this tent guy) a Muslim can't give away more.
Haj Hajj Islam Muslims Saudi Arabia Zakat
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