A R C H I V E S
Madinat al-Muslimeen Islamic Message Board
| U.S. Muslims Go on Hajj as Nation Heads to War |
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| jannah |
| 01/11/03 at 03:38:15 |
| In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful -- MEDIA ADVISORY -- U.S. MUSLIMS GO ON HAJJ AS NATION HEADS TO WAR (WASHINGTON, D.C., 1/10/2003) - In February, Muslims in America and around the world will take part in religious observances associated with the annual Hajj, or pilgrimage to Mecca. This year's Hajj takes place as America heads to possible war with neighboring Iraq. "It our fervent hope that there will be peace in the Middle East as thousands of American Muslims carry out their religious obligations. Any attack on Iraq could lead to thousands of deaths, greater instability in that troubled region and increased hostility directed at our nation in the Arab and Muslim world," said CAIR Board Chairman Omar Ahmad. Ahmad said up to 10,000 American Muslims will take part in the Hajj. (That figure is based on the number of Hajj visas issued in previous years.) Hajj is one of the "five pillars" of the Islamic faith. (The other pillars include a declaration of faith, daily prayers, offering regular charity, and fasting during the month of Ramadan.) Pilgrimage is a once-in-a-lifetime obligation for those who have the physical and financial ability to undertake the journey. The obligatory and optional activities of Hajj include: * Entrance into a state of self-control called ihram, during which pilgrims are forbidden to harm living creatures, even insects or plants, or raise the voice in anger. The state of ihram is signified (for men) by the wearing of two pieces of unsewn white cloth. This clothing signifies the equality of all before God. No specific clothing is prescribed for female pilgrims. * Circling of the Ka'aba (Tawaf), the stone building Muslims believe was originally built by Abraham and his son Ishmael. The Ka'aba is viewed as the first sanctuary on earth dedicated to the worship of the One God. It is a symbol of unity for Muslims because all prayers, wherever they are performed, are oriented in the direction of the Ka'aba. * The Sa'i, or "hastening" between two small hills near the Ka'aba, to commemorate Hagar's search for water to offer her son Ishmael. * The "Day of Arafah" on February 10.* Arafah is a mountain and its surrounding empty plain near Mecca. On this day, the climax of the Hajj season, pilgrims assemble for supplication to God. * The stoning of three pillars representing Satan's temptation of Abraham. The stoning indicates the pilgrim's rejection of evil deeds. * Cutting the hair to symbolize the completion of Hajj. * Sacrifice of an animal to help the poor, and in remembrance Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son Ishmael at God's command. The meat is distributed to relatives and to the needy. When the main portion of the pilgrimage is completed, Muslims worldwide gather for communal prayers on the first day (February 11*) of Eid ul-Adha (eed-al-odd-ha), the second of the two major Muslim holidays. The Quran, Islam's revealed text, states: "Thus We settled Abraham at the site of the House (the Ka'aba) [saying]: 'Do not associate anything with Me, and purify My house for those who walk around it, and those who stand there (praying), and those who bow down on their knees in worship. Proclaim the pilgrimage among mankind: They will come to you on foot and on every lean (beast of burden); Let them come from every deep ravine, to bear witness to the advantages they have, and to mention God's name on appointed days..." Chapter 22, Verses 26-28 - END - * Because the beginning of Islamic lunar months depends on the actual sighting of the new moon, the start date for Hajj and Eid ul-Adha may vary. |
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