[GOTFIVEONIT]

Muslims all over the world pray towards this revered building

"As I placed my right hand on the glistening golden archway I was instantly reduced to tears"

Last Updated: Tuesday, 18 December 2007, 09:27 GMT

Hajj Diary 2: Answered prayers

The BBC's Imtiaz Tyab is performing the Hajj this year and writing a diary of his experience for the BBC News website.

"Today I saw the Kaaba, the building towards which Muslims pray, for the first time.

I must admit, I was expecting it would take my breath away at first sight.

Strangely, it didn't. What I did feel was this overwhelming sense of familiarity. As if I had been here before.

Any nerves or jitters I had about whether I'd be able to perform my Hajj properly or whether it would be accepted by God instantly disappeared.

All that mattered was that I was there, in front of the Kaaba, declaring my intention to perform the Hajj.

As the majority of pilgrims had already begun the journey from Mecca to the tent city of Mina in preparation for the second and spiritually most important day of Hajj, it was relatively quiet in the Haram or Great Mosque in Mecca.

As I performed Tawaf - when pilgrims walk around the Kaaba seven times - I managed to get very close.

I was surrounded by men and women of every race and nationality, desperately trying to touch any part of the building they could.

Some wept out loud begging God for forgiveness, others muttered prayers to themselves.

As I made my way around the Kaaba, I inched closer and closer until I was near enough to touch it.

Somehow I found myself in front of the Kaaba's golden doorway.

It's believed that anyone who touches it will have their prayers accepted by God

I'll be honest, I didn't know that at the time. But as I placed my right hand on the glistening golden archway I was instantly reduced to tears.

I felt no shame as I stood there, tears streaming down my face.

I can't tell you what exactly I was crying about - I just was.

As I finished my Tawaf, offered my prayers and drank from the well of Zam Zam, I walked away from the Great Mosque feeling like a great weight had been lifted from my shoulders.

Whatever happens over the next few days of Hajj one thing is for certain; I will never forget today."