Saturday, June 03, 2017

Umrah update: Day 8: Humans of Makkah:

Hassan has been selling pigeon food in Makkah for two years. He can usually be spotted in the bird feed area behind the Makkah Clock Tower and sells a bag of wheat for 5 Riyals.

He actually loves pigeons and the way he carries himself reminds me of Everton icon Duncan Ferguson who has a passion for pigeons. Big Dunc was the hardest footballer I've seen and edges Luton legend Mick Harford into second place. People found it strange that the tough Scotsman spent his time with such a hobby but he always maintained that it helped him relax.

Like Dunc, Hassan is big, strong and broody. He stands directly in the blazing heat to earn a living and carries his wares in a wheelchair. Hassan can come across as quite stoic and abrupt but if one takes time to talk to him he's a really pleasant character. It's always better to interact first before passing judgement based on personal radar emissions.

The pigeon hangout is a popular location for visitors and our feathered friends fly in en masse, feed and off they go whilst visitors make a fuss of them and the street sweeps gently clean up after them. It's funny how some pilgrims visit with the belief that eating the bird feed will cure them of illnesses and ailments they may have. Interactions take place between visitors and even the bird sellers to try to address these misconceptions and ensure that the food is strictly fed to the birds. Most people accept the reasoning while quite a few refuse to waver in their beliefs.

Hassan loves pigeons and is just at home combining his love for birds whilst earning a living.

Pigeons have a fabulous history in the Haramain but that's a story for another day.

Hassan is another strand in the rich tapestry that is the great city of Makkah Mukarramah.

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