"Using a sly hand, Malik dispenses information through rapid fire thoughtful humor and honest dialogue that flows naturally. Fahmy's direction, Esler's scenic design, and Kengmana's lighting embrace this seamless quality by treating the show as if it were one beautiful dream sequence...It is undeniable that 'Mecca' wraps things up too tidily, however that resolution feels earned and gratifying. Like the production team, the entire cast is flawlessly marvelous."
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"Playwright Malik successfully makes the pilgrimage more relatable...The production is fortunate to have an excellent cast...The whole group has a great chemistry that makes them enjoyable to watch together onstage. For a touching, humorous look at a transformative religious journey, as seen through the eyes of women, make your pilgrimage to the Sheen Center to see 'The Mecca Tales.'"
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“This relatable and entertaining play shares five very diverse stories about Muslim women participating in a Hajj Pilgrimage. The actors are all professionals who are very convincing. At times, they need to plow through unrealistic dialogue but the play is informative and engaging. I think even as a piece of contemporary women's fiction, it provides a platform for lively discussion. It is also an easy way to learn a bit more about Islam.”
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"'The Mecca Tales' is an earnest drama that rests its overarching optimism on an individual humanism (facilitated, in the climax of play, by a community of women). With its heterogenous characters, it also works against any monolithic notion of Muslim womanhood. Malik's foregrounding of underrepresented voices enriches the tapestry of contemporary American theater."
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