Fidelma Anne O'Leary is a tall, blond Muslim who was raised Catholic in her native Ireland.
She began questioning her faith as a teenager, found answers in a 50-cent copy of the Quran given to her by a friend, and converted to Islam in college.
Now she is an associate professor of Biology at St. Edward's University, O'Leary agreed to let National Geographic document her hajj experience, which is at once a private spiritual journey and an immersion in one of the largest religious gatherings in the world.
O'Leary said "Hatred comes from ignorance," "The Quran says there's more than one path to God. We're told to respect and honor other faiths."
O'Leary, who became an American citizen in 1986, has worked to promote good will in her community since 9-11. She is the spokeswoman for Austin's Council on American Islamic Relations.
O'Leary went for hajj (pilgrimage). She said "Hajj was good for me because it helped me learn patience,"