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Live Hajj Webcast
BrKhalid
03/04/01 at 02:09:39
Asalaamu Alaikum ;-) Courtesy of Saudi TV [url]http://islamicity.org/Live/TV2.ram[/url] Great pictures of the Hujjaj going to Arafat at the moment

Re: Live Hajj Webcast
BrKhalid
03/04/01 at 03:06:03
Asalaamu Alaikum ;-) Interesting news on the quotas [hr] Pilgrims begin Hajj rituals MECCA, Saudi Arabia, March 3 (AFP) - Two million Muslims from around the world flowed into the Mina valley outside the holy city of Mecca by bus, car or on foot Saturday in the first ritual of the annual hajj pilgrimage. "Here I am, Allah, answering your call," the sea of humanity chanted, retracing Prophet Mohammad's steps from Mecca to Mina, where the pilgrims were to spend the night under 44,000 tents. The official Saudi news agency SPA said the migration toward Mina, an uninhabited valley circled by arid mountains, was free of incident. Due to heavy congestion on the wide paved road leading to the valley, the 12-kilometre (seven-mile) drive took several hours rather than the normal 15 minutes of other days. "I spent a big portion of my earnings just to be here," said Issa, an Arab American who paid 5,000 dollars to make the hajj from San Francisco, California. "It's a magnificent feeling." The pilgrims who opted to make the "journey of faith" on foot carried umbrellas to shield them against the Gulf sun, as thousands of unarmed Saudi police lined the roads in a massive security operation. Bottled drinking water and bread were distributed along the route, dotted with clinics to provide first aid. Hajj authorities have laid on a daily consignment of five million loaves of bread. "It's been my dream to come back to this place since I did the pilgrimage 30 years ago," said 64-year-old Abdullah from Lebanon. From next year, Saudi authorities -- as part of measures to ease the numbers -- plan to impose a ban on pilgrims returning for the hajj more than once every five years. Quotas are already imposed on each Muslim country according to population. A record 1.5 million pilgrims have poured into Saudi Arabia this year, joining around 500,000 Muslim pilgrims who live in the kingdom, for the hajj, which is one of the five pillars of Islam. Saudi authorities have spent hundreds of millions of dollars to cut down the risk of disaster during the annual mass gathering of the Muslim faithful. The Mina tents are air-conditioned and fireproofed to prevent a recurrence of a blaze that cost 343 lives in 1997. Meanwhile, the faithful who have converged on Saudi Arabia from 160 countries are preparing for the climax of their pilgrimage. Pilgrims -- the men clad in two-piece seamless white cloth, the women covered except for the hands and face -- will gather Sunday on the plain of Arafat, 12 kilometres (seven miles) from Mecca. There they assemble for the "standing" on the Mount of Mercy for the climax of the 1,400-year-old hajj. They are to spend the day praying for mercy, in a symbolic enactment of the Final Judgement at the scene of Prophet Mohammad's last sermon. A newborn Egyptian girl will be the youngest Muslim to take part, Al-Ahram newspaper in Cairo reported. Little Aisha, named in honor of the prophet's favorite wife, was born Friday at the hajj and will ride with her mother in an ambulance to Mount Arafat. Among world leaders making the hajj are Pakistan's military leader General Pervez Musharraf, Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Wajed, Indonesian President Abdurrahman Wahid and his Sudanese counterpart, Omar al-Beshir. On Monday, the pilgrims return to Mina to stone three pillars representing Satan, as Muslims worldwide begin celebrating Eid al-Adha (feast of the sacrifice) to mark Abraham's readiness to sacrifice his son Ishmael for God. In 1998, at least 118 pilgrims died in a stampede on a bridge during the "Stoning of Satan" ritual. But the hajj was disaster-free in 1999 and 2000. Fifty-three elderly Indians -- out of a contingent from India numbering 120,000 --- have died of natural causes during this year's hajj, the Saudi daily Arab News reported on Saturday. [url]http://www.iviews.com/scripts/news/stories/default.cfm?id=410523[/url]

Re: Live Hajj Webcast
jannah
03/04/01 at 4:10:41 AM
My God, live webcam that is incredible.

Re: Live Hajj Webcast
BrKhalid
03/04/01 at 4:17:22 AM
Asalaamu Alaikum ;-) For all of those of you currently on at the moment, the pictures being shown are of Arafat and the Masjid you see is Masjid-e-Nimra Alhamdulillah I got a call from my brother and sister in law this morning from Mina and my brother said to me "Today's the Big Day" Oh how I wish I was there! May Allah accept the prayers of all the Hujjaj on this blessed day

Re: Live Hajj Webcast
jannah
03/04/01 at 4:22:57 AM
Wow, Umrah feels like a tourist trip looking at all this now!!!

Re: Live Hajj Webcast
BrKhalid
03/04/01 at 4:30:02 AM
Asalaamu Alaikum ;-) The Saudis say the numbers are around 2mn but I reckon you're probably looking at 2.5mn and all those people have to be within the bounds of Arafat!! The nearest thing that resembles The Day of Judgement on this Earth. People gathered together on an open plain in the presence of their Lord!

Re: Live Hajj Webcast
jannah
03/04/01 at 4:31:41 AM
Who's that?

Re: Live Hajj Webcast
BrKhalid
03/04/01 at 4:34:56 AM
Asalaamu Alaikum ;-) Its 12:30 over there now, so I guess its the start of the Khutbah. Those who managed to get inside the Mosque must have got their *really* early!! They'll pray Zuhur and Asr together after the finish of the Khutbah. Hopefully they'll show the Hujjaj at the Mount of Mercy after.

Re: Live Hajj Webcast
jannah
03/04/01 at 4:36:39 AM
walaikum salaam wrt, that's one big mosque!! isn't it true half of it isn't on what's considered the plain of arafat?

Re: Live Hajj Webcast
BrKhalid
03/04/01 at 4:42:23 AM
Yes I think its the Eastern side of the Mosque. But its okay to pray there as long as you enter the bounds of Arafat at some point thereafter To give you some perspective, most Hujjaj get nowhere near this Mosque (just too may people) We're getting to see more than they do!!

Re: Live Hajj Webcast
jannah
03/04/01 at 4:51:18 AM
This must be some simple fusha. i understand alot of it. weird thing is i see a few men wearing those checkered scarfs on their head.. they're not supposed to wear anything on their heads from what i understand.. i can't believe some ppl are able to bring their kids..those two little boys in ihram were cute. i'm looking for our imam in the crowd :)

Re: Live Hajj Webcast
BrKhalid
03/04/01 at 4:56:24 AM
lol As much chance as me seeing my bro and sis in law!!! Forgive me for being sentimental but if you've ever experienced the Day before, these pictures bring back so many wonderful memories and feelings

Re: Live Hajj Webcast
BrKhalid
03/04/01 at 5:57:13 AM
Asalaamu Alaikum ;-) [quote]weird thing is i see a few men wearing those checkered scarfs on their head.. they're not supposed to wear anything on their heads from what i understand[/quote] I think if you looked closely, they weren't wearing Ihram so probably were locals or something

Re: Live Hajj Webcast
meraj
03/04/01 at 6:41:42 AM
slm, [quote]The nearest thing that resembles The Day of Judgement on this Earth. People gathered together on an open plain in the presence of their Lord![/quote] subhanallah... very interesting observation br khalid :) maaaaannn... 2.5 mil in one place? geez.. i bet not even times square sees that much on new years eve ;-D

Re: Live Hajj Webcast
bhaloo
03/04/01 at 9:00:19 AM8/td>
slm [quote]weird thing is i see a few men wearing those checkered scarfs on their head.. they're not supposed to wear anything on their heads from what i understand [/quote] People can use umbrellas there, right? ???

Re: Live Hajj Webcast
jannah
03/04/01 at 11:11:19 AM
yup you can use umbrellas

Re: Live Hajj Webcast
se7en
03/04/01 at 1:15:31 AM
Now they are interviewing some people... what's cool is the tiny Arab guy in the corner doing sign language :)

Re: Live Hajj Webcast
BrKhalid
03/04/01 at 5:54:00 PM
Asalaamu Alaikum ;-) [quote]Who's that? [/quote] Sheikh bin Baz I guess [hr] Hajj reaches climax An Indian pilgrim prays for forgiveness on Mount Arafat Two million Muslims from 160 countries have gathered at the top of Mount Arafat in western Saudi Arabia as the annual Muslim pilgrimage, the Hajj, reached its climax. The Hajj chant of "Here I am, oh Almighty" reverberated through the air as the pilgrims braved sweltering temperatures to make the climb. Arafat is the traditional site of the Prophet Mohammad's last sermon 14 centuries ago They are spending the day praying for forgiveness, before descending to begin the three-day festival of Eid al-Adha at the end of the pilgrimage, which is one of the five "pillars", or duties, of Islam and, as such, is required to be made at least once in a lifetime by every able-bodied Muslim who can afford it. Police helicopters were hovering above to monitor the slow movement of people. The Saudi authorities are reported to have spent $200m this year as part of a long-term plan to improve safety. Oh, may God unify the Islamic nation Egyptian pilgrim   In previous years, hundreds of people have been killed in stampedes and fires. No incidents have been reported so far. New facilities The pilgrims spent the night in huge tent camps on the plains of Mina about 12km (eight miles) from Mecca. Many of the faithful - the men dressed on a two-piece seamless white robe and the women covered except for their hands and face - carried umbrellas to keep off the desert sun. The authorities have taken precautions for pilgrims' safety Thousands of sprinklers sprayed a fine mist to cool off the pilgrims, many of whom faint during the slow climb. Volunteers were handing out chilled water and fruit juices, provided free of charge by the Saudi Government. In addition to mobilising an army of doctors, policemen and municipal employees, the authorities have erected 44,000 air-conditioned and fire-proof tents to house the pilgrims. Among the hajjis is this year's youngest pilgrim, a newborn Egyptian girl, whose mother went into labour on Friday. Political messages "Oh, may God unify the Islamic nation," prayed 45-year old Fuad Issat, an Egyptian, between his prayers. Correspondents say the Middle East crisis appeared not to be too far from every pilgrim's lips. A Palestinian from the Gaza Strip called on God to "put an end to Israel's occupation" of the West Bank and Gaza. [Jerusalem is in the hands of] raping Jews who are bullying our Muslim brothers in Palestine Sheikh Abdul-Aziz bin Abdullah Al al-Sheikh   In his sermon before more than 250,000 pilgrims, Saudi Arabia's top religious cleric, Sheikh Abdul-Aziz bin Abdullah Al al-Sheikh, fired up the rhetoric. He spoke of Jerusalem which was in the hands of "raping Jews who are bullying our Muslim brothers in Palestine," before blasting "these people who speak of rights, whose mouths spread venom on Islam". "Some people speak of human rights and choose to forget the rights of our brothers who have been killed, expelled and had their lands violated," the cleric said. On Monday, the pilgrims will throw stones at pillars that symbolise the devil before joining the rest of the world's Muslims in celebrating the Eid al-Adha feast. [url]http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/world/middle_east/newsid_1201000/1201079.stm[/url] Btw as far as I know the Mount is called The Mount of Mercy (Jabal-ar-Rahma) and not Mount Arafat

Re: Live Hajj Webcast
Arsalan
03/04/01 at 6:05:40 PM
[quote]Sheikh bin Baz I guess[/quote]Huh?  What?  Where?

Re: Live Hajj Webcast
BrKhalid
03/04/01 at 6:21:29 PM
Asalaamu Alaikuum ;-) lol The Imam giving the Khutbah in the Masjid at Arafat (I think) given that BBC report. Islamicity have a clip of today's proceedings on their page and you can see him there on the minbar [url]http://www.islamicity.com/[/url]

Re: Live Hajj Webcast
meraj
03/04/01 at 10:14:59 PM
slm, cnn.com has a good article on hajj, and some good video reports too... watch the reoprt by riz khan on the page (3 parts) [url]http://www.cnn.com/2001/WORLD/meast/03/04/saudi.hajj.02/index.html[/url]

Re: Live Hajj Webcast
meraj
03/04/01 at 10:28:32 PM
slm, actually whats even better than that page is http://www.cnn.com/hajj ... some awesome coverage of hajj and good explanations of the customs, as well as islam in general :)

Re: Live Hajj Webcast
meraj
03/04/01 at 10:50:44 PM
slm, maaaan.. ive ben jookin at cnn.com/hajj, and i just cant get over the fact that the western media is allowing islam and hajj to be portrayed in such a positive aspect... props to br. riz khan and cnn.com on this one ;-D

Re: Live Hajj Webcast
jannah
03/04/01 at 11:26:25 PM
you can tell him yourself:) Senior Anchor Riz Khan chats about the Hajj, 4 p.m. ET, 2100 GMT, March 6.

Re: Live Hajj Webcast
AbdulBasir
03/10/01 at 10:40:11
Live Hajj Webcast????? That's awesome...I would have loved to watch it, just to see the panoramic views... Is there any archived footage on the web around??

Re: Live Hajj Webcast
AbdulBasir
03/10/01 at 10:42:18
[quote]We're getting to see more than they do!! [/quote] Br. Khalid, you are so right there...I am almost jealous all you guys got to see all that...almost :)

Re: Live Hajj Webcast
BrKhalid
03/10/01 at 12:07:25
Asalaamu Alaikum ;-) [quote]Is there any archived footage on the web around?? [/quote] Islamicity were showing the live feed. They don't seem to have any clips of Arafat though :( [quote]Br Khalid, you are so right there...I am almost jealous all you guys got to see all that...almost [/quote] Don't be! You were *there* and we were *here* Although you could have waved to the cameras for us ;-)
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