ha(d)j
mijn oud collega Jamal is de enige die ik ken die dit jaar de bedevaart naar Mekka maakt. maar eens even weer lezen wat er precies gedaan wordt en hopen dat er geen doden vallen (zoals 2 jaar geleden).
Knowing the essence of pilgrimage
By Samir SalamaAssociate Editor for gulf News
Abu Dhabi: For Muslims, the pilgrimage to Makkah is a lifelong pursuit. A pursuit that starts with knowing and understanding the essence of the pilgrimage. These values are being instilled in the lives of young children in the hope that their own convictions will transcend that of their parents.
Dressed in the typical pilgrimage attire, hundreds of pre-school children circled a replica of the Ka'aba as part of an initiative by the Al Nahda National School, which coincides with the annual pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia.
Among them was Yusra - a four-year-old who recited the chants like those thousands of miles away in Makkah. In the same fashion, they proceed to Mina, where they stay the night there in preparation for ascendance to Mount Arafat, they gather at Arafat and they offer a sacrifice.
Final rituals for Haj are being performed today in Makkah, Saudi Arabia.
Equality
Yusra says she is longing to perform the Haj in Saudi Arabia, but her parents and teachers say the Haj to Makkah is an obligation upon male and female adults whose health and financial situations permit it, or, in the words of the Quran, upon 'those who can make their way there.' It is not an obligation for children, although some children do accompany their parents on this journey.
The annual pilgrimage to Makkah attracts more than two million Muslims each year. The five-day spiritual journey follows in the footsteps of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) and the sacrifices made by Prophet Ebrahim in striving to follow God's will.
Basma Al Junaibi, director of the school, says Haj is all about equality and the redressing of all wrongs.
"Through this exercise, these values are being instilled in the lives of young children."
A teacher who was guiding the children through the exercise said: "Before setting out, a pilgrim should redress all wrongs, pay all debts, plan to have enough funds for his own journey and for the maintenance of his family while he is away, and prepare himself for good conduct throughout the Haj."
The pilgrimage takes place each year between the 8th and the 13th day of Dhu Al Hijjah, the 12th month of the Muslim lunar calendar. Its first rite is the donning of the ihram.
The ihram, worn by men, is a white seamless garment made up of two pieces of cloth or towelling; one covers the body from waist to ankle and the other is thrown over the shoulder. Women generally wear a simple dress and a headcovering, but not a face veil. Men's heads must be uncovered.
The ihram indicates the equality of all people in the eyes of God. When the pilgrim wears his white apparel, he or she enters into a state of purity that prohibits quarrelling, committing violence to man or animal and having conjugal relations.
Al Junaibi said that children are also taught all about Eid Al Adha. "Eid Al Adha marks the end of the annual Haj or pilgrimage to Makkah. It is also known as Eid Al Kabir [major Eid]."
She added the schoolteachers tell the children Eid Al Adha is a time when Muslims from across the globe honour the faith of Prophet Ebrahim (Abraham). On this Muslim holiday, the tough sacrifices Prophet Ebrahim had to make are recalled and hence the name. Allah commanded Prophet Ebrahim to sacrifice his son, Esmail, to test his will. The Prophet was prepared to do so to prove his faith in Allah. Esmail himself was prepared to sacrifice his life for his father to obey the command of Allah." We can only imagine how difficult this time was for both and how each must have felt.
When the time came and Prophet Ebrahim was ready to sacrifice Esmail, Allah revealed that the sacrifice had already been fulfilled and spared his son by placing a sheep in his place.
This is why Muslims sacrifice this animal during this Eid. By saying a prayer in the name of Allah at the time of the slaughter, we are reminded of how sacred life is.
Did you know?: Haj and umrah
Haj is the fifth pillar of Islam, and it is mandatory for everyone who is physically and financially able to perform it once in a lifetime. Umrah is not obligatory.
Haj must be performed in the prescribed time period, the major rites are done in the first two weeks of Dhu Al Hijjah. Umrah, however, can be done any time of the year.
Umrah involves only the rites of Tawaf and Sa'i with Ihram; whereas Haj involves staying in Mina, performing the rite of wuquf (standing) in the plains of Arafat, staying in Muzdalifah, and pelting the stone pillars, as well as sacrifice. Umrah, however, does not involve any of these
Knowing the essence of pilgrimage
By Samir SalamaAssociate Editor for gulf News
Abu Dhabi: For Muslims, the pilgrimage to Makkah is a lifelong pursuit. A pursuit that starts with knowing and understanding the essence of the pilgrimage. These values are being instilled in the lives of young children in the hope that their own convictions will transcend that of their parents.
Dressed in the typical pilgrimage attire, hundreds of pre-school children circled a replica of the Ka'aba as part of an initiative by the Al Nahda National School, which coincides with the annual pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia.
Among them was Yusra - a four-year-old who recited the chants like those thousands of miles away in Makkah. In the same fashion, they proceed to Mina, where they stay the night there in preparation for ascendance to Mount Arafat, they gather at Arafat and they offer a sacrifice.
Final rituals for Haj are being performed today in Makkah, Saudi Arabia.
Equality
Yusra says she is longing to perform the Haj in Saudi Arabia, but her parents and teachers say the Haj to Makkah is an obligation upon male and female adults whose health and financial situations permit it, or, in the words of the Quran, upon 'those who can make their way there.' It is not an obligation for children, although some children do accompany their parents on this journey.
The annual pilgrimage to Makkah attracts more than two million Muslims each year. The five-day spiritual journey follows in the footsteps of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) and the sacrifices made by Prophet Ebrahim in striving to follow God's will.
Basma Al Junaibi, director of the school, says Haj is all about equality and the redressing of all wrongs.
"Through this exercise, these values are being instilled in the lives of young children."
A teacher who was guiding the children through the exercise said: "Before setting out, a pilgrim should redress all wrongs, pay all debts, plan to have enough funds for his own journey and for the maintenance of his family while he is away, and prepare himself for good conduct throughout the Haj."
The pilgrimage takes place each year between the 8th and the 13th day of Dhu Al Hijjah, the 12th month of the Muslim lunar calendar. Its first rite is the donning of the ihram.
The ihram, worn by men, is a white seamless garment made up of two pieces of cloth or towelling; one covers the body from waist to ankle and the other is thrown over the shoulder. Women generally wear a simple dress and a headcovering, but not a face veil. Men's heads must be uncovered.
The ihram indicates the equality of all people in the eyes of God. When the pilgrim wears his white apparel, he or she enters into a state of purity that prohibits quarrelling, committing violence to man or animal and having conjugal relations.
Al Junaibi said that children are also taught all about Eid Al Adha. "Eid Al Adha marks the end of the annual Haj or pilgrimage to Makkah. It is also known as Eid Al Kabir [major Eid]."
She added the schoolteachers tell the children Eid Al Adha is a time when Muslims from across the globe honour the faith of Prophet Ebrahim (Abraham). On this Muslim holiday, the tough sacrifices Prophet Ebrahim had to make are recalled and hence the name. Allah commanded Prophet Ebrahim to sacrifice his son, Esmail, to test his will. The Prophet was prepared to do so to prove his faith in Allah. Esmail himself was prepared to sacrifice his life for his father to obey the command of Allah." We can only imagine how difficult this time was for both and how each must have felt.
When the time came and Prophet Ebrahim was ready to sacrifice Esmail, Allah revealed that the sacrifice had already been fulfilled and spared his son by placing a sheep in his place.
This is why Muslims sacrifice this animal during this Eid. By saying a prayer in the name of Allah at the time of the slaughter, we are reminded of how sacred life is.
Did you know?: Haj and umrah
Haj is the fifth pillar of Islam, and it is mandatory for everyone who is physically and financially able to perform it once in a lifetime. Umrah is not obligatory.
Haj must be performed in the prescribed time period, the major rites are done in the first two weeks of Dhu Al Hijjah. Umrah, however, can be done any time of the year.
Umrah involves only the rites of Tawaf and Sa'i with Ihram; whereas Haj involves staying in Mina, performing the rite of wuquf (standing) in the plains of Arafat, staying in Muzdalifah, and pelting the stone pillars, as well as sacrifice. Umrah, however, does not involve any of these
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