Hajj - Pilgrimage to Mecca

Hajj refers to a Muslim's pilgrimage to Mecca and is one of the five pillars of Islam. At least once in his or her lifetime, each Muslim is expected to undertake this pilgrimage the sacred city of Islam. This holy journey is called the hajj in Arabic. While a visit to Mecca is beneficial any time of the year, it must take place during the month of Dhu al-Hijja (the last month of the Islamic year) to fulfill the requirements of the hajj.

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As with the sawm (fasting), exceptions are made for those who are physically or financially unable to fulfill this obligation, and one is actually commanded not to make the hajj if to do so would cause hardship for his or her family. However, those unable to go themselves may fulfill their obligation by sending someone in their stead. 

Tears, prayers as 1.4 million Muslims mark peak of Hajj

Tears flowed and prayers filled the air as the annual Hajj by about 1.4 million believers from around the world reached its zenith on a vast plain in western Saudi Arabia Friday.

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“I am now a newborn baby and I don’t have any sin,” Nigerian pilgrim Taofik Odunewu told AFP, standing at the foot of Mount Mercy on the Arafat plain, tears streaming down his face. 

Odunewu raised his hands to the heavens in the seamless two-piece white “ahram” outfit that he wore. 

All male pilgrims dress in ihram to symbolise a state of purity, which also emphasises their unity regardless of social status or nationality. 

“I pray for prosperity, long life and.. I pray for my country,” Odunewu said with a broad smile. 

“I feel great… I’m on top of the world,” he said at the world’s largest Muslim gathering. 

“I’m very blessed to be part of this occasion. I don’t think I will go back to the sinful way,” he pledged. 

The Hajj, which officially ends on Tuesday, is one of the five pillars of Islam that every capable Muslim must perform at least once. 

Hundreds of thousands of pilgrims arrived at Arafat on Friday carrying suitcases and other luggage among thousands of white tents which stood ready to provide temporary homes for the multitude.

Many set up their own tents along the roads. Others even made rough shelters from large yellow garbage bags. 

Elderly pilgrims sat in wheelchairs, little ones in prams, and others leaned on sticks as they pushed their way towards Mount Mercy, the hill where Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) made his final sermon 14 centuries ago. 

From early morning, pilgrims crowded onto the slippery, rocky hill, which their uniform attire turned white in colour. 

Some prayed and wept, some slept, while others spread their mats and sat reciting the Holy Quran.

Security forces were deployed en masse across Arafat plain and Mount Mercy to organise the flow of pilgrims, who have come from 163 countries as well as Saudi Arabia, home to Islam’s holiest sites.

“This way Hajji. Don’t stop here. You’re blocking the way,” security men shouted through loudspeakers, trying to control the crowds. 

The number of faithful seemed fewer than past years following a crackdown by authorities on illegal pilgrims. 

This year’s Hajj comes with Saudi Arabia and four other Arab nations joining Washington in air strikes against Islamic State group militants who have committed a spate of atrocities in Syrian and Iraqi territory they seized. 

Saudi authorities are also striving to protect pilgrims from two deadly viruses, Ebola and the MERS coronavirus. 

No such cases have been recorded among the Hajj visitors, officials say. 

Odunewu and other pilgrims from Nigeria were permitted to enter Saudi Arabia for Hajj, despite eight Ebola deaths in their country. 

Three West African states hardest hit by Ebola have not been allowed Hajj visas.

Article source The Express Tribune

Uighur Muslims face Ramadan trials

Many of us are blessed to live in countries that allow a degree of religious freedom, one that enables us to practice our faith. But for the Uighur Muslims living in the far western Xinjiang region of China such a freedom has been increasingly curtailed by the central government. 

The Uighurs in China, who at the turn of the 21st century numbered an estimated 10 million, are Muslims in a country where Buddhism has the widest influence with Taoism and Confucianism as the other major religions. Islam and Christianity are followed by a minority in a population of over 1.3 billion. Muslims make up the majority of the native population of the sparsely populated western province. 

The month of Ramadan has often been referred to as the "best of times". It is also widely believed that the Holy Qur’an was first revealed to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) during this holy month. In the hot summer months, it is indeed a trial for the fasting Muslim who is deprived of all food and water from before sunrise until the setting of the sun in the evening. The Chinese Uighurs, however, have to contend with additional trials. Chinese officials have banned Muslim party members, civil servants, students and teachers from fasting during the holy month of Ramadan. 

Umrah: A Muslim Pilgrimage To Mecca

In a few hours I am going to be leaving from New York City with a group of 85 people from the Islamic Center at NYU and NYPD's Muslim Officers' Society. Our intention is to perform a pilgrimage, known as the Umrah, to the city of Mecca along the way we will also be visiting the city of Medina. My hope is to share my reflections with you daily once I get on the ground in Saudi Arabia.

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The beauty of this journey is immense and I could sit for hours and hours writing about what I am feeling in anticipation of it. Mostly though my thoughts right now are geared toward being away from distraction and instead finding myself immersed in calmness. There is not a city that I have visited in the entire world that is more tranquil than Medina. The serenity that surrounds one from the moment he or she enters is unlike anything else. And there is not a city that I have visited that hosts a more diverse gathering of people than in Mecca. Any culture, language and skin color that you can think of is found there. It presents a great opportunity for reflection.