Each year more than 2 million Muslims make a pilgrimage to Mecca and although this is typically a time for reflection on their religion, Islam, a new studies shows that the trek makes them more religiously tolerant.

A huge study of Pakistani pilgrims suggests that Muslims who undertake the pilgrimage, called the hajj “Return with more positive views towards people from other countries.” So people becoming more orthodox, but also more tolerant – two trends that haven’t been proven to go hand in hand in the history of religion.

This year’s hajj ends tomorrow and although many pilgrims felt the journey united Muslims from different countries, the study found that feeling extended to non-Muslims too.

One 24 year old Pakistani said “after I performed the hajj I felt that the world is small and we all are sharing one place…the earth. We should all live in peace with other, whether with Muslims or non-Muslims.”

With all the news surrounding the recent terrorist attacks in India and religion-based conflict worldwide, it’s unique to hear that religion can actually be used as a tool to bring people of all faiths together.

Tell us what you think – how can we replicate the feelings of those who participated in the hajj to unite the international community? Let us know, comment below!