Showing posts with label Hajj. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Hajj. Show all posts
Tuesday, October 15, 2013
Monday, October 14, 2013
The last sermon of Prophet Muhammad
The last sermon of Prophet Muhammad
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) delivered his last sermon (Khutbah) on the ninth of Dhul Hijjah (12th and last month of the Islamic year), 10 years after Hijrah (migration from Makkah to Madinah) in the Uranah Valley of mount Arafat. His words were quite clear and concise and were directed to the entire humanity.
After praising, and thanking Allah he said:
“O People, lend me an attentive ear, for I know not whether after this year, I shall ever be amongst you again. Therefore listen to what I am saying to you very carefully and take these words to those who could not be present here today.
O people, just as you regard this month, this day, this city as Sacred, so regard the life and property of every Muslim as a sacred trust. Return the goods entrusted to you to their rightful owners. Hurt no one so that no one may hurt you. Remember that you will indeed meet your Lord, and that He will indeed reckon your deeds. Allah has forbidden you to take usury (interest), therefore all interest obligation shall henceforth be waived. Your capital, however, is yours to keep. You will neither inflict nor suffer any inequity. Allah has Judged that there shall be no interest and that all the interest due to Abbas ibn Abd Al-Muttalib (Prophet’s uncle) shall henceforth be waived…
Beware of Satan, for the safety of your religion. He has lost all hope that he will ever be able to lead you astray in big things, so beware of following him in small things.
O people, it is true that you have certain rights with regard to your women, but they also have rights over you. Remember that you have taken them as your wives only under Allah’s trust and with His permission. If they abide by your right then to them belongs the right to be fed and clothed in kindness. Do treat your women well and be kind to them for they are your partners and committed helpers. And it is your right that they do not make friends with any one of whom you do not approve, as well as never to be unchaste.
O people, listen to me in earnest, worship Allah, say your five daily prayers (Salah), fast during the month of Ramadan, and give your wealth in Zakat. Perform Hajj if you can afford to.
All mankind is from Adam and Eve, an Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab nor a non-Arab has any superiority over an Arab; also a white has no superiority over black nor a black has any superiority over white except bypiety (taqwa) and good action. Learn that every Muslim is a brother to every Muslim and that the Muslims constitute one brotherhood. Nothing shall be legitimate to a Muslim which belongs to a fellow Muslim unless it was given freely and willingly. Do not, therefore, do injustice to yourselves.
Remember, one day you will appear before Allah and answer your deeds. So beware, do not stray from the path of righteousness after I am gone.
O people, no prophet or apostle will come after me and no new faith will be born.
Reason well, therefore, O people, and understand words which I convey to you. I leave behind me two things, the Qu'ran and my example, the Sunnah and if you follow these you will never go astray.
All those who listen to me shall pass on my words to others and those to others again; and may the last ones understand my words better than those who listen to me directly. Be my witness, O Allah, that I have conveyed your message to your people”.
(Reference: See Al-Bukhari, Hadith 1623, 1626, 6361) Sahih of Imam Muslim also refers to this sermon in Hadith number 98. Imam al-Tirmidhi has mentioned this sermon in Hadith nos. 1628, 2046, 2085. Imam Ahmed bin Hanbal has given us the longest and perhaps the most complete version of this sermon in his Masnud, Hadith no. 19774.)
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) delivered his last sermon (Khutbah) on the ninth of Dhul Hijjah (12th and last month of the Islamic year), 10 years after Hijrah (migration from Makkah to Madinah) in the Uranah Valley of mount Arafat. His words were quite clear and concise and were directed to the entire humanity.
After praising, and thanking Allah he said:
“O People, lend me an attentive ear, for I know not whether after this year, I shall ever be amongst you again. Therefore listen to what I am saying to you very carefully and take these words to those who could not be present here today.
O people, just as you regard this month, this day, this city as Sacred, so regard the life and property of every Muslim as a sacred trust. Return the goods entrusted to you to their rightful owners. Hurt no one so that no one may hurt you. Remember that you will indeed meet your Lord, and that He will indeed reckon your deeds. Allah has forbidden you to take usury (interest), therefore all interest obligation shall henceforth be waived. Your capital, however, is yours to keep. You will neither inflict nor suffer any inequity. Allah has Judged that there shall be no interest and that all the interest due to Abbas ibn Abd Al-Muttalib (Prophet’s uncle) shall henceforth be waived…
Beware of Satan, for the safety of your religion. He has lost all hope that he will ever be able to lead you astray in big things, so beware of following him in small things.
O people, it is true that you have certain rights with regard to your women, but they also have rights over you. Remember that you have taken them as your wives only under Allah’s trust and with His permission. If they abide by your right then to them belongs the right to be fed and clothed in kindness. Do treat your women well and be kind to them for they are your partners and committed helpers. And it is your right that they do not make friends with any one of whom you do not approve, as well as never to be unchaste.
O people, listen to me in earnest, worship Allah, say your five daily prayers (Salah), fast during the month of Ramadan, and give your wealth in Zakat. Perform Hajj if you can afford to.
All mankind is from Adam and Eve, an Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab nor a non-Arab has any superiority over an Arab; also a white has no superiority over black nor a black has any superiority over white except bypiety (taqwa) and good action. Learn that every Muslim is a brother to every Muslim and that the Muslims constitute one brotherhood. Nothing shall be legitimate to a Muslim which belongs to a fellow Muslim unless it was given freely and willingly. Do not, therefore, do injustice to yourselves.
Remember, one day you will appear before Allah and answer your deeds. So beware, do not stray from the path of righteousness after I am gone.
O people, no prophet or apostle will come after me and no new faith will be born.
Reason well, therefore, O people, and understand words which I convey to you. I leave behind me two things, the Qu'ran and my example, the Sunnah and if you follow these you will never go astray.
All those who listen to me shall pass on my words to others and those to others again; and may the last ones understand my words better than those who listen to me directly. Be my witness, O Allah, that I have conveyed your message to your people”.
(Reference: See Al-Bukhari, Hadith 1623, 1626, 6361) Sahih of Imam Muslim also refers to this sermon in Hadith number 98. Imam al-Tirmidhi has mentioned this sermon in Hadith nos. 1628, 2046, 2085. Imam Ahmed bin Hanbal has given us the longest and perhaps the most complete version of this sermon in his Masnud, Hadith no. 19774.)
At Mount Arafat, pilgrims pray for end to divisions
At Mount Arafat, pilgrims pray for end to divisions
Muslim pilgrims pray on a rocky hill called the Mountain of Mercy, some touching a marker at its peak, on the Plain of Arafat, near the holy city of Makkah, on Monday. (AP photo/Amr Nabil)
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MAKKAH: About 1.5 million pilgrims flocked to Mount Arafat on Monday for the second phase of the annual Haj, seeking an end to conflicts affecting the Muslim world as they performed Dhur and Asr prayers at Namirah Mosque.
In a sermon at the mosque, Sheikh Abdulaziz bin Abdullah, the Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia, called on Muslims to avoid divisions, chaos and sectarianism, saying, there is “no salvation or happiness for the Muslim nation without adhering to the teachings of the religion.”
“Your nation is a trust with you. You must safeguard its security, stability and resources," he said.
“You should know that you are targeted by your enemy... who wants to spread chaos among you ... It’s time to confront this,” he added, in an apparent reference to the fighting going on in Syria and the violence affecting other Muslim countries in the Arab world.
Early in the day, the pilgrims headed toward Mount Arafat from nearby Mina Valley where most of them spent the night following the traditions of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), who performed the rituals 14 centuries ago.
They had moved to Mina on Sunday from the holy city of Makkah, home to the Grand Mosque, Islam’s holiest place of worship, which houses the cube-shaped Kaaba toward which all Muslims pray five times daily.
The number of pilgrims this year is about half of last year's Haj because the Saudi government slashed Haj quotas for foreign pilgrims pending completion of the multi-billion-dollar expansion work at the Grand Mosque. Once completed, the Grand Mosque would be able to accommodate around 2.2 million worshippers, double its current capacity.
Makkah Gov. Prince Khaled Al-Faisal, head of the central Haj committee, earlier said 1.38 million pilgrims had arrived from outside of the kingdom while ony 117,000 Haj permits were issued for domestic pilgrims.
He said security officers had turned back 70,000 locals and expatriates who tried to enter the Haj sites without the required permits and had arrested 38,000 others for violating Haj rules, including transporting illegal pilgrims to the holy city.
More than 138,000 vehicles used for transporting illegal pilgrims had also been impounded pending and charges are to be filed against the owners, Prince Khaled said.
Stoning of the devil
The pilgrims are to pray at Arafat until sunset, when they are due to set off for Muzdalifah for a ritual today symbolizing the stoning of the devil.
“I will pray the whole day for God to improve the situation for Muslims worldwide and an end to disputes and bloodshed in Arab countries,” 61-year-old Algerian pensioner Saeed Dherari said.
“I hope that God will grace all Muslims with security and stability,” said 75-year-old Ahmad Khader, who hails from the southern Syrian province of Daraa.
“The regime is tyrannical and I pray for God to help the oppressed people,” he said, referring to Syrian President Bashar Assad’s embattled government.
Egyptian Ahmad Ali, who is performing Haj for the first time, prayed for peace after hundreds were killed in recent months in fighting between security forces and Islamist supporters of ousted president Muhammad Mursi.
“I pray for Egypt to enjoy security and stability and for the people to reach understanding and reconciliation,” Ali told AFP.
The Haj, which officially ends on Friday, is one of the five pillars of Islam that every capable Muslim must perform at least once.
(Additional input from Agence France Presse)
http://MuslimWindow.blogspot.com/
Muslim pilgrims pray on a rocky hill called the Mountain of Mercy, some touching a marker at its peak, on the Plain of Arafat, near the holy city of Makkah, on Monday. (AP photo/Amr Nabil)
ARAB NEWS
LATEST STORIES IN FEATURED
Malaysia court rules non-Muslims can’t use ‘Allah’
No permit and fingerprinted? Security awaits you after Haj
Pilgrims stand at Arafat
Kabaa given a new Kiswa
O God, here I come answering your call
More
MAKKAH: About 1.5 million pilgrims flocked to Mount Arafat on Monday for the second phase of the annual Haj, seeking an end to conflicts affecting the Muslim world as they performed Dhur and Asr prayers at Namirah Mosque.
In a sermon at the mosque, Sheikh Abdulaziz bin Abdullah, the Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia, called on Muslims to avoid divisions, chaos and sectarianism, saying, there is “no salvation or happiness for the Muslim nation without adhering to the teachings of the religion.”
“Your nation is a trust with you. You must safeguard its security, stability and resources," he said.
“You should know that you are targeted by your enemy... who wants to spread chaos among you ... It’s time to confront this,” he added, in an apparent reference to the fighting going on in Syria and the violence affecting other Muslim countries in the Arab world.
Early in the day, the pilgrims headed toward Mount Arafat from nearby Mina Valley where most of them spent the night following the traditions of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), who performed the rituals 14 centuries ago.
They had moved to Mina on Sunday from the holy city of Makkah, home to the Grand Mosque, Islam’s holiest place of worship, which houses the cube-shaped Kaaba toward which all Muslims pray five times daily.
The number of pilgrims this year is about half of last year's Haj because the Saudi government slashed Haj quotas for foreign pilgrims pending completion of the multi-billion-dollar expansion work at the Grand Mosque. Once completed, the Grand Mosque would be able to accommodate around 2.2 million worshippers, double its current capacity.
Makkah Gov. Prince Khaled Al-Faisal, head of the central Haj committee, earlier said 1.38 million pilgrims had arrived from outside of the kingdom while ony 117,000 Haj permits were issued for domestic pilgrims.
He said security officers had turned back 70,000 locals and expatriates who tried to enter the Haj sites without the required permits and had arrested 38,000 others for violating Haj rules, including transporting illegal pilgrims to the holy city.
More than 138,000 vehicles used for transporting illegal pilgrims had also been impounded pending and charges are to be filed against the owners, Prince Khaled said.
Stoning of the devil
The pilgrims are to pray at Arafat until sunset, when they are due to set off for Muzdalifah for a ritual today symbolizing the stoning of the devil.
“I will pray the whole day for God to improve the situation for Muslims worldwide and an end to disputes and bloodshed in Arab countries,” 61-year-old Algerian pensioner Saeed Dherari said.
“I hope that God will grace all Muslims with security and stability,” said 75-year-old Ahmad Khader, who hails from the southern Syrian province of Daraa.
“The regime is tyrannical and I pray for God to help the oppressed people,” he said, referring to Syrian President Bashar Assad’s embattled government.
Egyptian Ahmad Ali, who is performing Haj for the first time, prayed for peace after hundreds were killed in recent months in fighting between security forces and Islamist supporters of ousted president Muhammad Mursi.
“I pray for Egypt to enjoy security and stability and for the people to reach understanding and reconciliation,” Ali told AFP.
The Haj, which officially ends on Friday, is one of the five pillars of Islam that every capable Muslim must perform at least once.
(Additional input from Agence France Presse)
http://MuslimWindow.blogspot.com/
How To Perform Hajj
How To Perform Hajj
There Is a Set of Rites and Rituals That a Muslim Must Perform to Fulfill the Obligation of Hajj
By Sadaf Farooqi
Hajj is one the five pillars of Islam. It is obligatory to perform Hajj at least once in a lifetime for a Muslim who can physically and financially afford the journey. For a Muslim woman, the journey ofHajj requires her to be accompanied by a male relative who is her "mahrum" (i.e. her husband, or a man she is forbidden to marry, such as her father, brother or uncle). This is not a discriminatory ruling - it is a stipulation that makes it easier for her to travel and carry heavy belongings from one place to another during the strenuous rituals of Hajj. If any Muslim has enough financial savings to allow them to easily go for Hajj, they have to hasten in fulfilling this pivotal obligation of Islam.
The meaning of the word "Hajj" is -- 'to set out to a sacred place out of devotion and seekingreward'. Every religion has always had the concept of "pilgrimage", in which followers or believers undertake a journey to a sacred geographical location that has special relevance and significance to that particular religion. The Hajj as it is today was initiated by Prophet Ibrahim [علیہ السلام], when he built the sacred house in Makkah - known as "Ka'ba" - with his son, Ismail [علیہ السلام]. Followers of the monotheistic religion founded by Ibrahim [علیہ السلام] used to perform circumambulations of the Ka'baand descended to Makkah once a year for the pilgrimage.
The following terminology will explain some of the common Islamic terms related to Hajj:
Ka'ba: the sacred house of Islam that is located at the centre of Masjid Al-Haraam in Makkah; It is empty, and kept covered with a black cloth. It specifies the direction of prayer for Muslims around the world, but it is NOT worshipped itself.
Mina: an open ground which is now known as the 'tented city' because it houses thousands of tents demarcated according to the countries of the world, where pilgrims stay. The modern tents of Mina today are airconditioned and carpeted. Makeshift bathrooms are also located near each group of tents.
Tawaaf: Seven circuits or circumambulations around the Ka'ba, starting from the Hajr Al-Aswad (black stone fixed on one of its corners) and ending with 2 units of prayer.
Sa'ee: Walking 7 times between the two mounts named Safa and Marwah that lie near the Ka'ba, within the precincts of the Masjid Al-Haram. The Sa'ee starts from Safa and ends at Marwah, where the pilgrim shaves their head (for men) or trims their hair (for women).
Umrah: Performing one tawaaf and one sa'ee.
Ihraam: A state in which the pilgrim may not wear certain things (face-veil for women, stitched clothes and booted shoes for men), or do certain actions (such as cutting hair or nails, putting on perfume in any form, having sexual relations with one's spouse, fighting, wrangling, vain talk, lying, backbiting, or slander)
Dhul Hijjah: The sacred month in which Hajj is performed; this month also has significance for Muslims around the world who are not performing Hajj, in that it has the second `Eid festival that involves sacrifice of an animal for the sake of Allah, known as `Eid Al-Adha.
Wuqoof: Standing in deep, devoted and exclusive prayer and remembrance of Allah.
Meeqat: The place which signifies the entrance into the state of Ihraam for any pilgrim. There are several meeqat's depending on the direction from which a pilgrim is arriving in Saudi Arabia for Hajj or Umrah.
Talbiyah: A vocal prayer in Arabic by which a pilgrim responds to the call/invitation towards Hajj or Umrah by saying - "I am here, O Allah, I am here. I am here, there is no associate with You, I am here. Indeed all praise and blessing are for You, and the Kingship; there is no associate with You."
Nahr: The act of worship associated with this month, in which Muslims sacrifice an animal such as a ram, sheep, camel or a cow for the pleasure of Allah, emulating the spirit of sacrifice of Ibrahim [علیہ السلام], who had succumbed to Allah's command of sacrificing his own son for Allah.
Jamrah/Jamraat: Any of the the three stone pillars near Mina, where Shaytan/Satan tried to dissuade Ibrahim [علیہ السلام] from sacrificng his son for Allah's sake, to which the latter resonded by pelting the former with pebbles to drive him away.
Ramee: Today, pilgrims repeat this action in emulation of the steadfastness of Ibrahim [علیہ السلام], by pelting the three jamraat with pebbles in the same manner - this is known as 'Ramee'. Note: the pillars have no significance except just to mark the spots where Satan approached Ibrahim [علیہ السلام]. The pillars do not signify Satan himself.
Zamzam: a miraculous water that sprung from the ground when the Prophet Ismail [علیہ السلام] rubbed his feet on it in thirst. This water springs forth to this day in an unlimitedsupply that does not wane despite the millions who have been drinking from it since centuries.
The Prophet of Islam, Muhammad [صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم], established rites and rituals of the Hajj by performing it himself. There are 3 types of Hajj:
1. Hajj Qiraan - this is reserved for the pilgrim who brings along his sacrificial animal with him on the Hajj journey. This Hajj is not performed by most pilgrims today.
2. Hajj Ifraad - this is performed only by those Muslims who reside in Saudi Arabia.
3. Hajj Tamattu' - this is the Hajj performed by majority of the Muslim pilgrims - in which they perform Umrah when they reach Makkah, then exit the state of Ihraam for the rest of their stay in or around Makkah until the 8th day of Dhul Hijjah, whence they enter ihraam again for the main fiveHajj days. The Umrah at the start of the journey is a part of this type of Hajj.
Make your intention solely the pleasure of Allah:
The Hajj is only to be performed to please Allah and fulfill its obligation due upon a Muslim. It should not be done for the sake of establishing one's piety or seeking to be known as a "Haji". Hajj will not be valid unless the intention is completely pure.
Join a group and get yourself vaccinated:
After you have registered for Hajj with a certain group in your area (all pilgrims proceed in a group, under a leader known as a mu'allim), get yourself vaccinated and submit your documents to the Hajj-group leader. The Saudi government requires each to-be pilgrim to be vaccinated for protection from certain diseases. Note: consult others who have performedHajj before you to authenticate the valdiity of the Hajj group beforehand. Many fake Hajjgroup-leaders disappear at Jeddah airport, leaving their group on its own to perform Hajjwith little knowledge or support. Beware of such scams.
Gain knowledge:
The to-be pilgrim should attend Hajj training classes, read books, meet people who have performed Hajj before, and read up material and advice on authentic websites on the Internet in order to be fully knowledgeable about the requirements of Hajj.
Put on the clothes for ihraam just before leaving for the airport:
Just before departing for Hajj from one's house, one should put on the clothes for ihraam. However, the actual state of ihraam is entered with a renewal of intention when the airplane passes over the prescribed Meeqat, at which point the pligrim starts reciting the talbiyah as an announcement of his intention to perform Hajj from that point onwards. Most Hajj flights announce the passing over the Meeqat. Some pilgrims delay putting on their ihraam clothes until right at this point, because they are self-conscious of being seen wearing two pieces of cloth, especially if they are departing from non-Muslim countries' airports. Waiting till nearing the Meeqat to put on the ihraam garments is risky, because the pilgrim might pass theMeeqat without being in ihraam, for which he will need to offer an expiation. Note: theclothing for women in ihraam is the same as usual - only wearing a stitched face-veil is forbidden. She may cover her face by the end of her headscarf if she so wishes.
Perform Umrah as soon as you reach Makkah:
The pilgrim should hasten to perform Umrah when they arrive at Jeddah airport in Saudi Arabia. It is a drive of an hour or so from Jeddah to Makkah.
Exit the state of ihraam and live in or around Makkah until the Days of Hajj:
After the Umrah is done, the pilgrim can change his clothes back to normal, stitched clothing, and live in Makkah or it's weherabouts until the 8th of Dhul Hijjah. Most pilgrims spend this time in devotion and worship, offering salah in congregation in the Masjid Al-Haram, and performing supererogatory tawaaf daily.
Tip: conserve physical energy for Hajj, do not fast or perform too many tawaaf's of theKa'ba. Performing any further Umrah's before Hajj is also not part of the Prophet's [صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم] sunnah.
On 8th Dhul Hijjah, enter the state of ihraam, and leave Makkah for Mina (pictured):
This morning signifies the official start of theHajj. Groups depart for Mina after Fajr prayer, in buses or on foot, reciting the talbiyah all the way to their tent in Mina. Do not wander off outside your tent to explore Mina, as many pilgrims get hopelessly lost in the complicated maze of similar tents on this day when they make this mistake; some even miss their Hajjrites because they keep wandering in Mina day in and day out.
Perform all four salah's of the day inside your tent, in congregation. Abstain from idle talk, gossip, chatting or useless conversation. Spend the day holding Hajj talks in your tent, helping others, counselling or educating others, or remembering Allah. Food is usually provided by the group, but is also available in shops. Always proceed to the bathroom with your group-mates, because on the first day in Mina, there is a high chance of getting lost.
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On 9th Dhul Hijjah, leave for Arafat:
After Fajr prayer the next day, depart for the plain of Arafat. At Arafat, you should preferrably stay inside your tent, offer Dhuhrand Asr salah in joint form behind the imam or on your own (if you miss the congregation for a valid reason, such as arriving late due to crowding on the roads), have lunch, and then do sincere Wuqoof until sunset, abstaining from conversation or other useless activities.
Note: This day is the MOST important day of Hajj. If the pilgrim asks Allah for forgiveness on this day till sunset, all his previous sins are completely wiped out. The most important act of worship of 9th Dhul Hijjah is the Wuqoof of Arafat - exclusive prayer, remembrance and repentance towards Allah during the time from Dhuhr to Maghrib (sunset). It is sad how pilgrims waste their time in Arafat in idle talk, gossip, listening to music, smoking or wandering around doing nothing. They should be reminded of the importance of repentance during the last few hours before sunset in Arafat. Moreover, they should not hasten to leave, pushing and shoving others out of their way. The Prophet Muhammad [صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم] urged pilgrims to depart with calmness.
If a pilgrim does not make it to Arafat before sunset on 9th Dhul Hijjah, for whatever reason, their Hajj stands null and void, and they'll have to repeat it in order to fulfill its obligation.
After sunset, proceed calmly towards the plain of Muzdalifah to spend the night:
Board your buses or proceed on foot to Muzdalifah to spend the night. Take along your sleeping bags and a bottle of water to do Wudu/ablution for salah, as there is hardly any water available in Muzdalifah.
After arriving in Muzdalifah, pray Maghrib and Isha salah shortened and combined, then pick a few dozen pebbles in a bag for the Ramee to be done in Mina later. Try to sleep a bit until Fajr. Engaging in worship during this night is not the sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad [صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم]. PrayFajr prayer, then depart for Mina before sunrise.
Important note: Make sure you are within the boundaries of Arafat and Muzdalifah within their required time period! There are high boards indicating the limits of both these grounds, so make sure you have entered the ground within the prescribed time. Some pilgrims stay in the valley of Namirah, which is adjacent to Arafat, unknowingly, and have their Hajj thus invalidated.
The morning of 10th Dhul Hijjah: Go back to Mina, perform Ramee of the largestjamrah, Jamrah Al-`Aqabah, with the pebbles collected in Muzdalifah:
After praying Fajr in Muzdalifah, go back to Mina in your bus or on foot. Take special care of the sick, weak and elderly, as by now they are extremely tired, especially if they have been on foot, with sleeping bags, food and other belongings in tow. Many pilgrims lose their way or their group-leader on their way back to Mina.Help others, be kind, and always, always abstain from shouting, pushing, shoving, fighting and wrangling, as these actions are forbidden ("haraam") in the state of ihraam.
After arriving in Mina, deposit your belongings in your tent, have something to eat, rest a bit if needed (most pilgrims do need it by now), then proceed on foot towards the largestjamrah to perform Ramee. Say "Allahu Akbar" before throwing each of the seven pebbles (collected in Muzdalifah) at the pillar.
Do not throw anything else at the pillar. Remove yourself from the crowd as soon as you are done. The weak, women and elderly may have someone else do their Ramee on their behalf if they are too tired to perform it themselves.
Slaughter your sacrificial animal (Nahr), shave your head (Halaq -- recommended for men only) or trim it short (Qasr), and exit the state of ihraam:
In the past, when the number of pilgrims was not so high, the slaughter was done manually. Nowadays, the slaughter is pre-arranged by the group leader, and it is not done by the pilgrims themselves. Rather, it is done on their behalf by others, and the meat is distributed to the poor. Pilgrims nowadays do not get to eat their own slaughtered animal's meat, which is a sunnah of Prophet Muhammad [صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم].
After Ramee, when the pilgrims are notified via phone that their animal has been slaughtered, they shave their heads, change their clothes (exiting the state of ihraam; now, all restrictions are lifted except that of intercourse with spouse), and set off to Makkah for Tawaaf Ifaadah, the next major milestone of Hajj after the Wuqoof of Arafat.
Go to Makkah from Mina to perform Tawaaf Ifaadah, followed by Sa'ee; then return to Mina to spend the night:
This tawaaf and Sa'ee constitute one of the most important rites of Hajj; it can not be substituted or compensated for if it is missed by a pilgrim. In the past few years, it has become exceedingly difficult for pilgrims to perform this tawaaf on the 10th of Dhul Hijjah, because of the sheer magnitude of the total number of pilgrims performing Hajj every year. Arafat, Mina, and Muzdalifah are open grounds where there is ample space to harbor the entire pilgrim population at one time, but the Masjid Al-Haraam is not large enough to allow all the pilgrims to perform this tawaaf on the same day. Therefore, if you can not perform this tawaaf on the 10th of Dhul Hijjah, you may perform it on the 11th or the 12th.
11th Dhul Hijjah: spend the day in Mina, and do Ramee of the three jamraat during the time between Dhuhr prayer and sunset:
Spend the day in Mina, going to perform Rameeof all the three Jamraat any time between Dhuhrand sunset. Tawaaf Ifadaah can also be performed on the 11th, if someone was unable to perform it on the 10th, which is a common occurence nowadays, due to the high number of pilgrims and the ensuing problems of transport and crowding.
12th Dhul Hijjah: If you want to leave Mina to go to Makkah, do so before sunset; otherwise stay in Mina for another night:
Majority of the pilgrims try to leave Mina as soon as they can on this day, after doing Rameeat the sun's decline at midday. This has been the cause of several deaths due to the pushing and shoving involved in the hurry to be done with Ramee, as most pilgrims bring all their belongings near the Jamraat before midday, intending to leave Mina with them as soon as possible. As a result, when millions rush to perform Ramee like this at the same time, a stampede can occur, with people getting trampled and killed as a result (this happened in Hajj 2004). Pilgrims should therefore, not show haste, and willingly stay in Mina another night.
Perform Ramee of the three jamraat any time between Dhuhr and sunset. Do not show haste in doing Ramee as soon as its time starts. Delegate your Ramee to a young man in your family if the crowds are too strong; this can be done by women, or by those who are sick, weak or old. Because of the high incidence of stampedes and fatalities during Ramee in the past few years, some scholars have allowed pilgrims to perform Ramee even after sunset on the 11th and 12th of Dhul Hijjah.
The 12th of Dhul Hijjah is also the last day that a pilgrim can fulfill the obligation of Tawaaf Ifaadah, before sunset. Spend the night in Mina, and relish this as your last time there, until and unless you perform Hajj again.
13th Dhul Hijjah: perform Ramee, then leave Mina to go back to Makkah:
Hajj rites are officially over once you perform Ramee of the three jamraat on the 13th. Depart to Makkah, from where you can leave to go back to your own country, after performing Tawaaf Wada (the farewell tawaaf) before leaving Makkah for the last time.
The spirit of Hajj:
Many people wonder why Hajj involves so many unusual rites and restrictions, or what could be the wisdom behind doing all this physically challenging travelling and rituals. Any one who has performedHajj will testify to the fact that the foremost lesson taught by it, is patience in the obedience of Allah, because only someone who is doing the Hajj solely for Allah's pleasure can persevere in performing one strenuous rite after another, without complaining or questioning its wisdom.
Secondly, when so many Muslims from diverse cultural and financial backgrounds throng the same places, sleeping on roads and dusty grounds under the sky with no more than two pieces of cloth on their bodies, eating cheap food, sharing the same bottle of water for ablution, helping each other out in answering the calls of nature (you'll be surprised how many times this happens during Hajj!), and sharing their medicines with other pilgrims who fall sick on the journey, teaches the Muslims selfless compassion and mercy for others, making this journey the most memorable one of their lifetime. You might never see or meet that considerate pilgrim again, who helped you reach your tent, or who safely got you through the crowds, but you will always appreciate their kindness and pray for them for the rest of your life. That is the true essence and wisdom behind the Hajj - the human bonding and selflessness that knows no prejudice or cultural boundaries!
http://MuslimWindow.blogspot.com/
Haj Ministry sets compensation for victims of fake campaigns
Haj Ministry sets compensation for victims of fake campaigns
Haj Minister Bandar Hajjar
MADINAH: ARAB NEWS
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Haj Minister Bandar Hajjar announced that the ministry is looking into the issue of providing compensation to pilgrims who fell victim of fraudulent Haj campaigns.
In an interview with a local daily, the minister said that last year, the compensation varied from 15 percent to 60 percent of the pilgrim’s contract value.
The minister reiterated that the decision to limit the number of domestic and foreign pilgrims this year was “exceptional and temporary,” with a view to safeguarding the safety of pilgrims. “We advised each country to limit the number of pilgrims they send to the Kingdom at the rate of one pilgrim per one thousand of their population. We also said that countries that witnessed political unrest would be given their quota in full,” he said.
“I would like to say that the state does not levy any fees on pilgrims and Umrah visitors. All the services provided by the government agencies are free. Actually the Kingdom pays billions of riyals every year for projects in Makkah and Madinah that are aimed at providing the best services and safety and security to the pilgrims,” he added.
“I would like to affirm that no important decisions are taken without consulting all parties concerned, both within the ministry and others. This is to done to assess the impact of the decision on those who will be affected by it. For this purpose, we have set up a ‘coordination council’ comprising representatives from businesses and companies operating for the service of domestic pilgrims to ensure best services”, he said.
He said the ministry had also launched an electronic system for transporting pilgrims for their final departure from King Abd Al Aziz Airport in Jeddah and Prince Muhammad ibn Abd Al Aziz Airport in Madinah. “No bus will be allowed to leave the housing units till it is ensured there is an available flight that is in line with the pilgrims’ arrival time at the airport,” he said.
When asked about the estimated number of foreign and domestic pilgrims, he said: “We expect around 1.4 million pilgrims from abroad, and we estimate the number of domestic pilgrims to be in the vicinity of 105,000.”
Speaking about the Haj train, he said: “During the first six hours, the train was able to transport about half a million pilgrims. The very existence of the train made it possible to stop using a large number of buses. Because of the train, we stopped using more than 30,000 buses that used to move around in the holy areas.”
http://MuslimWindow.blogspot.com/
Haj Minister Bandar Hajjar
MADINAH: ARAB NEWS
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Haj Minister Bandar Hajjar announced that the ministry is looking into the issue of providing compensation to pilgrims who fell victim of fraudulent Haj campaigns.
In an interview with a local daily, the minister said that last year, the compensation varied from 15 percent to 60 percent of the pilgrim’s contract value.
The minister reiterated that the decision to limit the number of domestic and foreign pilgrims this year was “exceptional and temporary,” with a view to safeguarding the safety of pilgrims. “We advised each country to limit the number of pilgrims they send to the Kingdom at the rate of one pilgrim per one thousand of their population. We also said that countries that witnessed political unrest would be given their quota in full,” he said.
“I would like to say that the state does not levy any fees on pilgrims and Umrah visitors. All the services provided by the government agencies are free. Actually the Kingdom pays billions of riyals every year for projects in Makkah and Madinah that are aimed at providing the best services and safety and security to the pilgrims,” he added.
“I would like to affirm that no important decisions are taken without consulting all parties concerned, both within the ministry and others. This is to done to assess the impact of the decision on those who will be affected by it. For this purpose, we have set up a ‘coordination council’ comprising representatives from businesses and companies operating for the service of domestic pilgrims to ensure best services”, he said.
He said the ministry had also launched an electronic system for transporting pilgrims for their final departure from King Abd Al Aziz Airport in Jeddah and Prince Muhammad ibn Abd Al Aziz Airport in Madinah. “No bus will be allowed to leave the housing units till it is ensured there is an available flight that is in line with the pilgrims’ arrival time at the airport,” he said.
When asked about the estimated number of foreign and domestic pilgrims, he said: “We expect around 1.4 million pilgrims from abroad, and we estimate the number of domestic pilgrims to be in the vicinity of 105,000.”
Speaking about the Haj train, he said: “During the first six hours, the train was able to transport about half a million pilgrims. The very existence of the train made it possible to stop using a large number of buses. Because of the train, we stopped using more than 30,000 buses that used to move around in the holy areas.”
http://MuslimWindow.blogspot.com/
No permit and fingerprinted? Security awaits you after Haj
No permit and fingerprinted? Security awaits you after Haj
Dangerous risk: Undocumented pilgrims pitch their “Made in China” plastic tents at any open space in Mina on Sunday. (AN photo by Abdullah Mohsen)
MINA: SIRAJ WAHAB
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The campaign against undocumented pilgrims entered its second phase on Sunday with the authorities placing high-tech fingerprinting machines inside white-colored vans.
The clearly-marked vehicles, widely referred to as mobile fingerprinting units, have been parked at strategic locations inside the tent city.
“We will conduct random checks on pilgrims without permits,” said an official manning one of the units. “Now that they are here, we will not stop them from continuing the rituals.”
Officials will only require undocumented pilgrims to register their fingerprints. “We have been told to be nice to them and to respect their feelings,” he said. “However, since the law has to take its course, action will be taken against them once the pilgrimage is over.”
The government, through a Cabinet decision, has announced that it will deport those who are found at the holy sites without legal permits. Expatriates found guilty of violating the rules will not be allowed to re-enter the Kingdom for 10 years after deportation. Saudis violating the pilgrimage rules are to be fined heavily and jailed.
Despite the strict measures, many pilgrims without permits made their way into Mina on Sunday. Each one had a different story as to how they entered the tent city.
“I paid SR600 to a private Saudi limousine driver near the SAPTCO bus stop in Jeddah to bring me into Mina,” said Ashraf, an Indian expatriate. “He asked me if I had the permit, and I said no. He said he would charge me SR700. I negotiated with him and brought it down to SR600. When I got into his car, there were already four pilgrims inside, two Pakistanis, one Bangladeshi and a Yemeni. Like me, they did not have permits and all of them agreed to pay the driver SR600 each.”
The regular share-a-cab fare from Jeddah to Makkah is SR10 or SR20 maximum.
Half way through the 85-km journey, Ashraf said the driver advised them to get off before the main Shumaisi checkpoint on the Jeddah-Makkah Expressway. “This is the only way to avoid being arrested,” he said. “We got off and started walking with our belongings until we reached a certain distance beyond the checkpoint. There, the driver was waiting for us.”
When told about the harsh punishment that awaits him if he were to be caught, Ashraf, who refused to give his second name, said: “I had taken a vow to come here for Haj this year. I spent all my money getting my iqama (work permit) transferred two months ago. There was no way I could have afforded the high amount to procure a legal Haj permit. It is exorbitant.”
Ashraf said he would go nowhere near the mobile fingerprinting units. “I will try my best to keep away from those vehicles,” he said.
Ashraf was not alone. There are hundreds like him who made it into the tent city. If he were to be caught by one of those security officials manning the mobile fingerprinting units, then it will be a different story.
Meanwhile, he busied himself in reciting verses from the Holy Qur’an. “We are now in the protection of Allah,” he said, with a smile.
http://MuslimWindow.blogspot.com/
Dangerous risk: Undocumented pilgrims pitch their “Made in China” plastic tents at any open space in Mina on Sunday. (AN photo by Abdullah Mohsen)
MINA: SIRAJ WAHAB
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The campaign against undocumented pilgrims entered its second phase on Sunday with the authorities placing high-tech fingerprinting machines inside white-colored vans.
The clearly-marked vehicles, widely referred to as mobile fingerprinting units, have been parked at strategic locations inside the tent city.
“We will conduct random checks on pilgrims without permits,” said an official manning one of the units. “Now that they are here, we will not stop them from continuing the rituals.”
Officials will only require undocumented pilgrims to register their fingerprints. “We have been told to be nice to them and to respect their feelings,” he said. “However, since the law has to take its course, action will be taken against them once the pilgrimage is over.”
The government, through a Cabinet decision, has announced that it will deport those who are found at the holy sites without legal permits. Expatriates found guilty of violating the rules will not be allowed to re-enter the Kingdom for 10 years after deportation. Saudis violating the pilgrimage rules are to be fined heavily and jailed.
Despite the strict measures, many pilgrims without permits made their way into Mina on Sunday. Each one had a different story as to how they entered the tent city.
“I paid SR600 to a private Saudi limousine driver near the SAPTCO bus stop in Jeddah to bring me into Mina,” said Ashraf, an Indian expatriate. “He asked me if I had the permit, and I said no. He said he would charge me SR700. I negotiated with him and brought it down to SR600. When I got into his car, there were already four pilgrims inside, two Pakistanis, one Bangladeshi and a Yemeni. Like me, they did not have permits and all of them agreed to pay the driver SR600 each.”
The regular share-a-cab fare from Jeddah to Makkah is SR10 or SR20 maximum.
Half way through the 85-km journey, Ashraf said the driver advised them to get off before the main Shumaisi checkpoint on the Jeddah-Makkah Expressway. “This is the only way to avoid being arrested,” he said. “We got off and started walking with our belongings until we reached a certain distance beyond the checkpoint. There, the driver was waiting for us.”
When told about the harsh punishment that awaits him if he were to be caught, Ashraf, who refused to give his second name, said: “I had taken a vow to come here for Haj this year. I spent all my money getting my iqama (work permit) transferred two months ago. There was no way I could have afforded the high amount to procure a legal Haj permit. It is exorbitant.”
Ashraf said he would go nowhere near the mobile fingerprinting units. “I will try my best to keep away from those vehicles,” he said.
Ashraf was not alone. There are hundreds like him who made it into the tent city. If he were to be caught by one of those security officials manning the mobile fingerprinting units, then it will be a different story.
Meanwhile, he busied himself in reciting verses from the Holy Qur’an. “We are now in the protection of Allah,” he said, with a smile.
http://MuslimWindow.blogspot.com/
O God, here I come answering your call
O God, here I come answering your call
SUBLIME: Pilgrims offer prayer at the historic Masjid Al-Qaif in Mina on Sunday. (AN photo by Khidr Al-Zahrani)
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Nearly 2 million pilgrims arrived in Mina on Sunday as part of the first phase of Haj 2013.
What was a ghost town until Saturday evening was teeming with hundreds of thousands of pilgrims, men and women, young and old. They were reciting “Labbaik Allahumma Labbaik” (O God, here I am answering your call) and verses from the Holy Qur’an.
Interior Minister Prince Mohammed bin Naif said the number of pilgrims from outside the country totaled 1.37 million, down 21 percent from last year’s 1.75 million. Around 1.29 million of them had flown to the Kingdom from 188 countries, he said.
The reduced number of pilgrims is due to the massive expansion projects in Makkah and government’s aggressive campaign to bar undocumented pilgrims from undertaking the pilgrimage.
Makkah Gov. Prince Khaled Al-Faisal said that over 70,000 violators who tried to infiltrate the holy sites were turned away. Security forces seized more than 138,000 vehicles.
“The international media has gotten it wrong when it attributed the lesser number of pilgrims to the so-called coronavirus fear,” said Mufreh Al-Ghamdi, a volunteer at a Haj establishment. “The health minister has made it very clear that there has not been a single case of coronavirus among pilgrims.”
Many pilgrims walked the 12-km distance from Makkah to Mina to avoid being caught up in traffic. Helicopters flew overhead and security forces kept a close watch on any untoward activity.
Water sprinklers placed on pedestrian walkways helped keep the intense heat at bay. Once inside the tent city, the pilgrims focused on prayers and the Qur’an recitation.
The weather was extremely hot in the morning, forcing many pilgrims to take frequent breaks along the routes to their camps. As the evening wore on, a mild breeze blew across the valley, cooling the temperatures. Many pilgrims tried to catch some sleep after a tiring journey from Jeddah, Makkah, Madinah and Dammam.
The center of activity in Mina was the historic Masjid Al-Qaif. Most pilgrims deposited their luggage in their tents, and headed straight to the mosque, which was full. Pilgrims praying Dohr, Asr and Maghreb in the huge mosque was a sight to behold.
Soon after the prayers many pilgrims were seen exchanging salutations and greetings with complete strangers.
At Arafat, Grand Mufti Abdulaziz Al-Asheikh will address the congregation from Masjid Al-Nimira. With the Muslim world in massive churning, the message from the topmost scholar will be heard with utmost attention, inside and outside the holy land.
http://MuslimWindow.blogspot.com/
SUBLIME: Pilgrims offer prayer at the historic Masjid Al-Qaif in Mina on Sunday. (AN photo by Khidr Al-Zahrani)
LATEST STORIES IN FEATURED
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No permit and fingerprinted? Security awaits you after Haj
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Attacks across Iraq kill at least 42
More
Nearly 2 million pilgrims arrived in Mina on Sunday as part of the first phase of Haj 2013.
What was a ghost town until Saturday evening was teeming with hundreds of thousands of pilgrims, men and women, young and old. They were reciting “Labbaik Allahumma Labbaik” (O God, here I am answering your call) and verses from the Holy Qur’an.
Interior Minister Prince Mohammed bin Naif said the number of pilgrims from outside the country totaled 1.37 million, down 21 percent from last year’s 1.75 million. Around 1.29 million of them had flown to the Kingdom from 188 countries, he said.
The reduced number of pilgrims is due to the massive expansion projects in Makkah and government’s aggressive campaign to bar undocumented pilgrims from undertaking the pilgrimage.
Makkah Gov. Prince Khaled Al-Faisal said that over 70,000 violators who tried to infiltrate the holy sites were turned away. Security forces seized more than 138,000 vehicles.
“The international media has gotten it wrong when it attributed the lesser number of pilgrims to the so-called coronavirus fear,” said Mufreh Al-Ghamdi, a volunteer at a Haj establishment. “The health minister has made it very clear that there has not been a single case of coronavirus among pilgrims.”
Many pilgrims walked the 12-km distance from Makkah to Mina to avoid being caught up in traffic. Helicopters flew overhead and security forces kept a close watch on any untoward activity.
Water sprinklers placed on pedestrian walkways helped keep the intense heat at bay. Once inside the tent city, the pilgrims focused on prayers and the Qur’an recitation.
The weather was extremely hot in the morning, forcing many pilgrims to take frequent breaks along the routes to their camps. As the evening wore on, a mild breeze blew across the valley, cooling the temperatures. Many pilgrims tried to catch some sleep after a tiring journey from Jeddah, Makkah, Madinah and Dammam.
The center of activity in Mina was the historic Masjid Al-Qaif. Most pilgrims deposited their luggage in their tents, and headed straight to the mosque, which was full. Pilgrims praying Dohr, Asr and Maghreb in the huge mosque was a sight to behold.
Soon after the prayers many pilgrims were seen exchanging salutations and greetings with complete strangers.
“I am delighted beyond words,” said Rawan Mustafa, an Egyptian pilgrim. “It is only when you come here for the Haj do you realize that you are part of such a huge community of Muslims.”
“Syria is suffering and that means that the Arabs and the Muslims are also suffering,” Abdel-Karim Ahmed was quoted as saying by the AP. “I will beseech Allah to lift the suffering of the Syrian people and stop the bloodshed.”
Saeed Al-Dabbagh, from Palestine, said: “It is such a beautiful feeling to walk in the footsteps of our beloved Prophet (peace be upon him) in this holy land. I am praying for peace.”
Yasin Kanchwala, from Surat, India, was equally ecstatic. “These beautiful white tents reflect peace and purity,” he said.
Saudi Arabia has deployed more than 100,000 troops to ensure the safety of the pilgrims. Security forces are monitoring the holy sites with 4,200 high-tech cameras, some of which can cover a distance of 60 km.
On Monday, the pilgrims will head to the nearby plains of Arafat in what is widely described as the climax of Haj.
“Syria is suffering and that means that the Arabs and the Muslims are also suffering,” Abdel-Karim Ahmed was quoted as saying by the AP. “I will beseech Allah to lift the suffering of the Syrian people and stop the bloodshed.”
Saeed Al-Dabbagh, from Palestine, said: “It is such a beautiful feeling to walk in the footsteps of our beloved Prophet (peace be upon him) in this holy land. I am praying for peace.”
Yasin Kanchwala, from Surat, India, was equally ecstatic. “These beautiful white tents reflect peace and purity,” he said.
Saudi Arabia has deployed more than 100,000 troops to ensure the safety of the pilgrims. Security forces are monitoring the holy sites with 4,200 high-tech cameras, some of which can cover a distance of 60 km.
On Monday, the pilgrims will head to the nearby plains of Arafat in what is widely described as the climax of Haj.
At Arafat, Grand Mufti Abdulaziz Al-Asheikh will address the congregation from Masjid Al-Nimira. With the Muslim world in massive churning, the message from the topmost scholar will be heard with utmost attention, inside and outside the holy land.
http://MuslimWindow.blogspot.com/
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Hajj 2008:‘System in place to control crowds’
‘System in place to control crowds’
MAKKAH:Advanced technology is being used to control crowds in Makkah and the holy sites, according to a senior official responsible for crowd management at the holy sites.
“Geo information systems are in place and television cameras have been installed at all important locations to monitor surging crowds and any possible untoward situation,” Maj. Gen. Saad Al-Khelaiwi, assistant director for operations and assistant commander for crowd management, told Arab News yesterday.
About 1,500 cameras have been placed at prime locations, including on the Jamrat Bridge, at the Grand Mosque, in tunnels and all pedestrian roads and hilltops.
“The underlying principle of our strategy is never to allow people coming from different directions to converge. With this objective we have taken steps to guarantee that pedestrians move only in a single direction on a particular road,” Al-Khelaiwi said.
A number of security men posted at several locations on roads have been told to stop anyone moving in a direction that is counter to the flow of pedestrian traffic on any particular route. “Signs displayed on the roads advise pilgrims to travel in only one direction,” the assistant director added.
The measure to enforce one-way direction for pedestrians has been adopted following recommendations by domestic and foreign experts who took part in several crowd management workshops.
“With the help cameras placed on roads and other places in Makkah and the holy sites, particularly the Jamrat Bridge area, the Control and Command Center maintains a round-the-clock vigil. The greatest advantage of the system is that the control room gets a clear idea every moment of the number of pilgrims moving toward the Jamrat from different directions and the officials could be geared to handle any emergency. The cameras also spot the places where illegal pilgrims try to erect their makeshift camps,” he said.
The cameras also help the control room notice the activities of security forces working in a particular area and that helps in sending reinforcement in case of emergency, he added.
Speaking about the method of responding to reports at the command center, the assistant director said, “The personnel manning the center analyze the reports quickly and pass them to the relevant section responsible for handling that particular situation. Departments of police, Red Crescent, Civil Defense, Car Syndicate and utilities are working in concert with the command and control center.”
Badea Abu Al-Naja Arab News
http://islaamdoon.blogspot.com/
MAKKAH:Advanced technology is being used to control crowds in Makkah and the holy sites, according to a senior official responsible for crowd management at the holy sites.
“Geo information systems are in place and television cameras have been installed at all important locations to monitor surging crowds and any possible untoward situation,” Maj. Gen. Saad Al-Khelaiwi, assistant director for operations and assistant commander for crowd management, told Arab News yesterday.
About 1,500 cameras have been placed at prime locations, including on the Jamrat Bridge, at the Grand Mosque, in tunnels and all pedestrian roads and hilltops.
“The underlying principle of our strategy is never to allow people coming from different directions to converge. With this objective we have taken steps to guarantee that pedestrians move only in a single direction on a particular road,” Al-Khelaiwi said.
A number of security men posted at several locations on roads have been told to stop anyone moving in a direction that is counter to the flow of pedestrian traffic on any particular route. “Signs displayed on the roads advise pilgrims to travel in only one direction,” the assistant director added.
The measure to enforce one-way direction for pedestrians has been adopted following recommendations by domestic and foreign experts who took part in several crowd management workshops.
“With the help cameras placed on roads and other places in Makkah and the holy sites, particularly the Jamrat Bridge area, the Control and Command Center maintains a round-the-clock vigil. The greatest advantage of the system is that the control room gets a clear idea every moment of the number of pilgrims moving toward the Jamrat from different directions and the officials could be geared to handle any emergency. The cameras also spot the places where illegal pilgrims try to erect their makeshift camps,” he said.
The cameras also help the control room notice the activities of security forces working in a particular area and that helps in sending reinforcement in case of emergency, he added.
Speaking about the method of responding to reports at the command center, the assistant director said, “The personnel manning the center analyze the reports quickly and pass them to the relevant section responsible for handling that particular situation. Departments of police, Red Crescent, Civil Defense, Car Syndicate and utilities are working in concert with the command and control center.”
Badea Abu Al-Naja Arab News
http://islaamdoon.blogspot.com/
Wheelchair-bound pilgrims have good reasons to be here
| Wheelchair-bound pilgrims have good reasons to be here Syed Faisal Ali Arab News | ||||||
MINA: Haj is obligatory for able-bodied Muslims but hundreds of pilgrims are in the holy places performing the pilgrimage on wheelchairs. Their loved ones push them through the streets. Both the wheelchair-bound pilgrims and their loved ones have many convincing reasons for what they are doing. One such pilgrim told Arab News that it has been her long-cherished dream to perform Haj, but due to economic and domestic constraints, it was not possible for her to do so until her son got a job in Jeddah last year. "For me, it was a dream come true when my son informed me that he had made arrangements for me to come here," said Danish Shambrela from Algeria. Shambrela, 65, is suffering from various ailments, including acute arthritis. Her son, Danish Isshac, is taking care of her not only as a son but also as a doctor. "My mother is on medication due to her illness. And frankly speaking I was little uneasy about bringing her for Haj. But her wish is my command and as a son, it is obligatory for me to fulfill her wishes. I'm sure Allah will accept her Haj and also reward her," a visibly contented and happy Isshac said. As a disabled person, Shambrela wanted very much to undertake the pilgrimage and visit the house of Allah. She is happy to have undertaken the journey and wishes that others with similar problems could also perform Haj. "I would like to share some of my experiences in the hope that this will help people with disabilities who are planning to perform Haj. No matter what your special needs, with a firm belief in Allah and a little bit of patience and planning, Insha'Allah you will be able to do just fine," Shambrela said. Mariyam Amo, another wheelchair-bound pilgrim, is pushed through the streets by her husband, Ahmad Ishkadev; they are also from Algeria. "Mariyam took care of me for my whole life and we are blessed with three children. They wanted to accompany her on Haj but she wanted only me as if she wanted to tell me it was my turn to take care of her. I agreed and we are here," Ishkadev said. "After deciding to perform Haj, the first thing we did was to pick a good Haj package that guaranteed accommodation close to the Jamrat. That is crucial," he said. Instead of picking a low-cost extended-stay package it is better to go for a high-end short package, Ishkadev felt. "We chose an express package and it has worked out just fine as it has allowed us up to now to perform the rituals properly without getting too tired. Dedicated transportation to and from Makkah to Mina to Arafat, Muzdalifa and the Holy Haram is assured in the package. We carried the wheelchair with us from our country so as not to have to spend the money for one here," Ishkadev said. "However, in case of an emergency, the people with special needs are the ones left behind and who become vulnerable. With a little bit of planning on their part, life could be so much better for people with special needs during Haj. What I'm trying to say is that you have to be proactive and be your own advocate. Just talk to the company to find out where you will be staying. It will keep you out of unnecessary hardships and loss of quality prayer time," Ishkadev said. A young man from Libya was pushing the wheelchair of a senior and infirm pilgrim, Ahmad Abdul Salam. Interestingly, the young man was not related to the old pilgrim. Then why was he doing this? And here is the reply — "For Allah's mercy, to atone for my sins," said the young man, Wahaj Abdullah, from Tripoli. "I met Abdul Salam in the group we are both a part of. Though he is old, he was all right when we started our journey. It was only in Madinah that he fell sick. And it was my duty to take care of him, despite the fact that we are not related," Abdullah said. He said Allah would accept the Haj of both of them and reward them with His bounties. Another point to be made concerning pilgrims with special needs is that there are people who, for a price, will take care of them. "I have engaged a young man from Makkah to push my mother's wheelchair. Certainly I will pay him but will not say the amount," said Bashir Muallad, a Jordanian pilgrim. Bashir said he hired the young man for the whole season for a premium price. "In fact, I wanted to be able to take care of my mother by myself but unfortunately due to my own illness, I can't and so we have taken the services of Sultan Al-Harbi." All pilgrims who are sick and infirm have strong arguments to support their coming to perform Haj. For some it is a dream come true. Some saved small amounts of money for many years so that they could make the journey. "In matters where sentiment is dominant, other issues become smaller," said Ishkadev, justifying his mother's pilgrimage. "After all, this is our chance to please Allah, by patiently enduring the hardships of Haj. It is said that there is a reward for every hardship," he said. http://islaamdoon.blogspot.com/
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Haj Reflections Day 1: New Jamrat complex has a commanding presence by Siraj Wahab
Haj Reflections Day 1: New Jamrat complex has a commanding presence
by Siraj Wahab
Haj 2008 welcomed us with a cool breeze as we entered Mina on Friday night. The place was still mostly deserted. Only the hectares and hectares of white tents provided an indication of the millions of pilgrims about to descend on the city. We hopped on a moped to take a tour of the site. The winds whipped at the tent flaps and the chill of a winter desert night bit into our bones. Meteorologists have predicted cool weather and perhaps even rain during the Haj rituals. This will certainly test the pilgrims, especially during their stay in the barren landscape of Muzdalifa tonight (Sunday night). In preparation for possible flooding, the authorities have dug culverts to try and channel rushing water away from the tent city. It is hoped that this will also reduce the danger from rock slides coming down the rocky hillsides.
* * *
The new Jamrat complex has a commanding presence, towering over all other structures in Mina. It is four levels now — ground floor, plus three additional stories. The area is fully floodlit and police were already on duty, securing the site. A few pilgrims had come out to discover the lay of the land per se. As the complex is so new it is an attraction in itself, aside from the role it will play in the Haj rituals. I have been covering the pilgrimage for a decade and the Jamrat complex is truly something to give every Muslim peace of mind. In times past, the small Jamrat bridge always seemed inadequate to cope with the flood of humanity. It was a source of anxiety to those of us who would watch tragedies unfolding near the pillars that symbolize Satan, again and again. There is confidence among all the Haj organizers now that every precaution has been taken to prevent loss of life during the stoning ritual.
* * *
The police are being extremely strict this year in controlling access to the holy sites. A Haj permit is a must. It was mandatory that pilgrims showed that they had accommodation before permits would be issued. The goal is to prevent squatters and improve the manageability of the event. It was announced that 1.7 million pilgrims will be coming from abroad and that half a million permits were issued to pilgrims from within the Kingdom. Since it is thought that about 2.5 million pilgrims can be accommodated at the Haj, those numbers are well within the acceptable limits.
* * *
Rulings have been issued by the religious authorities stating that coming to Haj without a permit is against the spirit of the event and is highly discouraged. Nevertheless, some Muslims feel that they must circumvent the laws. One Pakistani who works for a transport company in Jeddah stated that as he had performed Haj four years ago, he was ineligible for a permit this year. This was catastrophic for him since his aged parents had finally been able to make the journey of a lifetime. “Nothing in the world would stop me from standing at Arafat with my mother and father,” he said. “I tell them that I come to Makkah every Friday. How can I tell them that I will not assist them during Haj?”
* * *
He is definitely an exception thus far. Kunhavutty Abdul Khader, a pilgrim from Kerala, explained that he had paid SR1,000 for a permit. His mother is coming for the event and he will be staying with her. However, he needed to arrange his own transport to reach Makkah. “I went to Al-Nakhal Al-Jamayee (SAPTCO bus stop) to get a taxi,” he said. “During Haj it costs SR100 for the journey from Jeddah to Makkah. Normally the taxi driver will cram four people into his car. He was able to pick up three people easily but even after driving around for two hours he couldn’t find a fourth person to go on the trip. In past years this would never have been the case. There was always a huge shortage of transport at Haj time, but this year not so many people are going.” It remains to be seen if the authorities can halt the flow of illegal pilgrims into Mina. There still might be a last-minute rush to get over the barricades.
* * *
One area where improvement is still needed is in the use of technology to help pilgrims find their camps. Yesterday, hundreds of pilgrims were wandering lost through the tent city. We found Indians in the Algerian camp and Egyptian pilgrims in the Indian camp. We were as clueless as anyone about the location of the various camps and this is disappointing to many pilgrims. All Arab News team members are wearing fluorescent green vests, a bit similar to the ones worn by the traffic police. So all lost pilgrims think we are guides of some sort.
* * *
There are low-tech and high-tech ways of finding the camps in Mina. The Algerian pilgrims are being led by Samir Sharari, a guide wearing a bright yellow overall and yellow cowboy hat. He is carrying an Algerian flag. Amid the sea of white ihrams, he can’t be missed. Many pilgrims from Europe and the US are using GPS in their mobile phones to locate their accommodation. Some of the Haj authorities have standalone GPS devices. Turning to such technology is very smart in the vast whiteness of Mina. Meanwhile, the organizers of the pilgrim groups need to issue strict instructions to the men and women in their care not to leave the group. The pilgrims think that by walking from Makkah to Mina they can bypass the traffic and reach their tents earlier. Truth be told, they just spend hours and hours on foot exhausting themselves in the search for their tents.
* * *
And what can pilgrims expect in regards to accommodation in Mina? First, select from Categories A through D on a price basis. Remember that there is no authority to control prices or guarantee that the promised services will be delivered. For SR20,000 per head, a pilgrim can stay in a single-sex tent equipped with bunk beds — think college dormitory style. Category A pilgrims are provided with Western-style buffets for meals, plus coffee, tea, snacks, deluxe transportation and knowledgeable guides. The tents of these pilgrims are located as close as possible to the Jamrat complex, so they don’t have far to walk to perform the stoning rituals. However, there is a downside to choosing to pay for Category A accommodation and services. Since these tents are so close to the Jamrat, the area is unbearably noisy. Category A pilgrims get caught up in the same traffic jam as the Category D pilgrims on the way to Arafat and coming back from Muzdalifa. In fact, Category A pilgrims may be forced to abandon their luxury minibus if it gets stuck in traffic. Then they will be forced to walk the longest distance to their tents, which would not be on the outskirts of Mina — where the Category D pilgrims are housed. When things go wrong for those Category A pilgrims — perhaps their bus doesn’t come or lunch is delayed — what does the organizer tell them: “This is God’s will. Haj is about sacrifice. Let us not talk about worldly things at this time.”
* * *
The new Jamrat complex has a commanding presence, towering over all other structures in Mina. It is four levels now — ground floor, plus three additional stories. The area is fully floodlit and police were already on duty, securing the site. A few pilgrims had come out to discover the lay of the land per se. As the complex is so new it is an attraction in itself, aside from the role it will play in the Haj rituals. I have been covering the pilgrimage for a decade and the Jamrat complex is truly something to give every Muslim peace of mind. In times past, the small Jamrat bridge always seemed inadequate to cope with the flood of humanity. It was a source of anxiety to those of us who would watch tragedies unfolding near the pillars that symbolize Satan, again and again. There is confidence among all the Haj organizers now that every precaution has been taken to prevent loss of life during the stoning ritual.
* * *
The police are being extremely strict this year in controlling access to the holy sites. A Haj permit is a must. It was mandatory that pilgrims showed that they had accommodation before permits would be issued. The goal is to prevent squatters and improve the manageability of the event. It was announced that 1.7 million pilgrims will be coming from abroad and that half a million permits were issued to pilgrims from within the Kingdom. Since it is thought that about 2.5 million pilgrims can be accommodated at the Haj, those numbers are well within the acceptable limits.
* * *
Rulings have been issued by the religious authorities stating that coming to Haj without a permit is against the spirit of the event and is highly discouraged. Nevertheless, some Muslims feel that they must circumvent the laws. One Pakistani who works for a transport company in Jeddah stated that as he had performed Haj four years ago, he was ineligible for a permit this year. This was catastrophic for him since his aged parents had finally been able to make the journey of a lifetime. “Nothing in the world would stop me from standing at Arafat with my mother and father,” he said. “I tell them that I come to Makkah every Friday. How can I tell them that I will not assist them during Haj?”
* * *
He is definitely an exception thus far. Kunhavutty Abdul Khader, a pilgrim from Kerala, explained that he had paid SR1,000 for a permit. His mother is coming for the event and he will be staying with her. However, he needed to arrange his own transport to reach Makkah. “I went to Al-Nakhal Al-Jamayee (SAPTCO bus stop) to get a taxi,” he said. “During Haj it costs SR100 for the journey from Jeddah to Makkah. Normally the taxi driver will cram four people into his car. He was able to pick up three people easily but even after driving around for two hours he couldn’t find a fourth person to go on the trip. In past years this would never have been the case. There was always a huge shortage of transport at Haj time, but this year not so many people are going.” It remains to be seen if the authorities can halt the flow of illegal pilgrims into Mina. There still might be a last-minute rush to get over the barricades.
* * *
One area where improvement is still needed is in the use of technology to help pilgrims find their camps. Yesterday, hundreds of pilgrims were wandering lost through the tent city. We found Indians in the Algerian camp and Egyptian pilgrims in the Indian camp. We were as clueless as anyone about the location of the various camps and this is disappointing to many pilgrims. All Arab News team members are wearing fluorescent green vests, a bit similar to the ones worn by the traffic police. So all lost pilgrims think we are guides of some sort.
* * *
There are low-tech and high-tech ways of finding the camps in Mina. The Algerian pilgrims are being led by Samir Sharari, a guide wearing a bright yellow overall and yellow cowboy hat. He is carrying an Algerian flag. Amid the sea of white ihrams, he can’t be missed. Many pilgrims from Europe and the US are using GPS in their mobile phones to locate their accommodation. Some of the Haj authorities have standalone GPS devices. Turning to such technology is very smart in the vast whiteness of Mina. Meanwhile, the organizers of the pilgrim groups need to issue strict instructions to the men and women in their care not to leave the group. The pilgrims think that by walking from Makkah to Mina they can bypass the traffic and reach their tents earlier. Truth be told, they just spend hours and hours on foot exhausting themselves in the search for their tents.
* * *
And what can pilgrims expect in regards to accommodation in Mina? First, select from Categories A through D on a price basis. Remember that there is no authority to control prices or guarantee that the promised services will be delivered. For SR20,000 per head, a pilgrim can stay in a single-sex tent equipped with bunk beds — think college dormitory style. Category A pilgrims are provided with Western-style buffets for meals, plus coffee, tea, snacks, deluxe transportation and knowledgeable guides. The tents of these pilgrims are located as close as possible to the Jamrat complex, so they don’t have far to walk to perform the stoning rituals. However, there is a downside to choosing to pay for Category A accommodation and services. Since these tents are so close to the Jamrat, the area is unbearably noisy. Category A pilgrims get caught up in the same traffic jam as the Category D pilgrims on the way to Arafat and coming back from Muzdalifa. In fact, Category A pilgrims may be forced to abandon their luxury minibus if it gets stuck in traffic. Then they will be forced to walk the longest distance to their tents, which would not be on the outskirts of Mina — where the Category D pilgrims are housed. When things go wrong for those Category A pilgrims — perhaps their bus doesn’t come or lunch is delayed — what does the organizer tell them: “This is God’s will. Haj is about sacrifice. Let us not talk about worldly things at this time.”
source: Arab News
Pilgrims to stand in Arafat today
| Pilgrims to stand in Arafat today | ||||||
MINA: Millions of pilgrims spent the first day of this year's Haj (Yaum Al-Tarwiyah) in prayers and devotion while security forces and other government agencies were striving to guarantee a safe and peaceful stay for them in Mina. The pilgrims are expected to converge today on Mount Arafat, about 15 km east of Makkah, at the climax of this year's Haj after spending a night of meditation and introspection in the tent city of Mina yesterday. Chanting "Labbaik Allahumma Labbaik" (here I am answering your call, O God) the pilgrims wearing white robes walked or boarded buses to Mina yesterday at the start of the annual pilgrimage, the largest gathering of Muslims in the world. "The passage of pilgrims from the Grand Mosque to Mina, which began at dawn, was completed smoothly without any untoward incidents in the afternoon," said Makkah Gov. Prince Khaled Al-Faisal, who is also the chairman of the Central Haj Committee, at a press conference yesterday. Prince Khaled later congratulated all departments and agencies for successfully implementing the Haj plan and had a special word of praise for citizens who cooperated in making the "No permit, no Haj" project work. The prince revealed that he too was carrying a permit as the ambit of the regulations covered all. "This year the number of pilgrims coming from foreign countries broke all previous records," Interior Minister Prince Naif, who is also the chairman of the Supreme Haj Committee, said in a cable to Custodian of Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah, on the occasion of the completion of the arrival of foreign pilgrims for Haj yesterday. A total of 1,729,841 pilgrims from 178 countries entered the Kingdom through various land, sea and air entry points. They are 939,221 men, accounting for 54.3 percent of the total pilgrims from abroad, and 790,620 women, 45.7 percent, Prince Naif said. "While 1,575,645 pilgrims flew in by air, 131,353 came by road and 22,843 by sea," the minister said. Health Minister Dr. Hamad Al-Manie inspected the health facilities at Arafat to make sure that all arrangements to take care of the millions converging in Arafat today were in place. Three hospitals — Jabal Al-Rahmah, Namirah and Arafat General — have been built at Arafat with a total capacity for 671 beds. "The hospitals have intensive care units, X-ray machines and pharmacies, and will provide specialized treatments for diseases of heart, bones, thorax, abdomen and ENT," Al-Manie said in a press statement after an inspection tour yesterday. Al-Manie said Arafat would also have 46 medical centers in addition to 65 medical teams. "The medical teams for Arafat have been selected with care for specialized field work, as they will have to work under pressure. While 12 teams work around the Arafat hill and an equal number near the Namirah mosque, the remaining 41 teams will be stationed around Arafat General," the minister said. He added that so far not a single case of contagious disease was detected among the pilgrims. He also said that foreign pilgrims came fulfilling all health regulations and so nobody required quarantine at entry points. According to a statement of Dr. Rasheed Al-Eid, director of medical administration for Haj, four pilgrims died yesterday of natural causes. Various medical centers at Mina attended to 33 traffic accidents, 10 heart and breathing complaints, 11 nervous breakdowns, 14 stomach complaints, 11 falls and eight other cases, said Al-Eid. Col. Jamil Arbaeen, director of Civil Defense at the holy sites, said his administration executed their scheduled plans for the Tarwiyah day such as sending large number of patrols on motorcycles and mini jeeps at the Central Zone around the Grand Mosque and on the roads leading to Mina. "The Civil Defense did not receive any report of serious accidents. It was apparently because all the departments were meticulous in implementing the plans for the day. No entry point to Mina allowed vehicles carrying pilgrims illegally to Mina. Helicopters were also sent to detect illegal pilgrims sneaking into the holy sites on mud roads. Buses and other vehicles were instructed to carry stickers to prove that they had undergone strict inspection," he said. A police source said inspectors at various checkpoints aborted efforts by 16,000 people trying to enter Makkah without Haj permits. Thousands of disappointed Saudi and expatriate residents of Makkah, who were not allowed to enter the holy sites because they did not carry the mandatory permits, were seen crowded near the entry points, he said. The Health Ministry has also issued a warning that pilgrims should keep away from crowded areas as much as possible to minimize their exposure to various diseases. The crowds also constitute potential hazard for the elderly, disabled and sick pilgrims, a ministry statement said. According to a scout official, the Ministry of Commerce and scout members would monitor the prices and quality of items sold at various outlets. They would also ensure that vendors at the holy sites carry official permits, the official said. The quantity of desalinated water consumed in Mina region exceeded 125,000 cubic meters yesterday, according to a statement of Muhammad Baghdadi, an official at the Makkah Water Directorate, said.Badea Abu Al-Naja & Hamid Al-Sulami With input from Faisal Ali Source: Arab News http://samotalis.blogspot.com/ |
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