STRAIGHT PATH 79
have been known to make their way by bus even from Lahore, India, to the Holy City! The return of these pilgrims to their native villages and cities in Java, India, Central Asia, Iran, North Africa and elsewhere plays an important part in maintaining the Moslem morale and preserving the bonds of Islamic brotherhood throughout these countries.
The ceremonies center largely around the Kaaba in Mecca. This is a curious cube-shaped building in the center of the mosque. The top and outer walls are always covered by a specially made black cloth, which is adorned with a broad band embroidered in gold with inscriptions from the Koran. The Kaaba antedates Islam, and was formerly used by the idolatrous Meccans as their house of worship. Its most ancient treasure is the famous Black Stone, which is said to have once been white but to have been turned black by the kisses of the pilgrims! It was probably a meteorite, but is said by Moslems to have been sent from heaven.
Before returning home the pilgrim usually visits Mohammed's tomb at Medina, which adds additional strength to his faith and merit to his journey. In fact, the visit to Mohammed's tomb, which was recommended by him, according to the Traditions, has undoubtedly been taken by Moslems as a basis for extending the practice to include visits to the tombs of holy men everywhere. Consequently we find the Shiite sect visiting the tombs of their holy imams at Karbala and Najaf in Iraq, and at Meshed in Iran, and elsewhere;
