Haj rituals begin
Published: 05:06 PM,Jun 24,2023 | EDITED : 12:06 PM,Jun 25,2023
Nearly 2 million people from across the world are gathering in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to perform the rituals of this year's Haj which will begin on Monday. This will be followed by Day of Arafah on June 27 while Eid al Adha will be celebrated in the Arab region including Oman and Saudi on Wednesday, June 28.
Haj is an annual pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia and one of the five pillars of Islam. It is a significant religious duty for Muslims and is considered one of the most important acts of worship in Islam.
This year, around 14,000 pilgrims comprising both citizens and expatriates from the Sultanate of Oman are in the holy land to perform Haj, corresponding to the Dul Hijjah 1444 AH, according to the Ministry of Awqaf and Religious Affairs.
Out of the total, as many as 250 are Arabs residing in Oman while the remaining 250 are non-Arab residents and as many as 700 opportunities were allocated to serve them for Haj and Umrah companies, at a rate of 5 per cent of the number of pilgrims for each company.
In order to make the Haj procedures hassle-free and safe, the World Health Organization (WHO) has issued some set of health recommendations for pilgrims, general health advice and guidelines for those who perform Haj.
WHO has developed a list of recommendations that every pilgrim should follow, which are consistent with the health requirements set by the health authorities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for those arriving during the Haj season this year.
It recommends that the countries from which pilgrims come take into account the existence of a minimum level of physical capacity for the pilgrims. It also warns of the high risk of infection with infectious diseases in the elderly and severe cases of chronic diseases such as advanced cancers, heart diseases, respiratory diseases, liver, kidneys, or aging.
It also recommends those coming for Haj and those with chronic diseases to bring evidence of their health status and the medicines they take, and to bring a sufficient amount of these medicines in their original packaging.
Haj involves several rituals and ceremonies that are performed over a period of several days including intention. It is the intention that defines the cause of the deed and it holds great role. It also involves Ihram which is the first step as the pilgrimage begins with entering the state of Ihram. Ihram in simple words is the act of wearing two white seamless sheets for men, and modest attire for women and entering a state of consecration and purity.
There is also gathering at Mount Arafat where all the pilgrims are supposed to gather on the 9th day of the Islamic month of Dhul Hijjah. They spend the day in prayer and supplication, seeking forgiveness and mercy from Allah.
Once Arafah gathering is over, pilgrims will then proceed to Muzdalifah at night where they spend the night in open areas and engage in prayers and remembrance of Allah.
Pilgrims then return to Mina and participate in the ritual of stoning three pillars that represent Satan. This act is to symbolise the rejection of evil temptations. The second last step in the whole process is to perform an animal sacrifice. This is to commemorate the willingness of Prophet Ibrahim to sacrifice his son as an act of obedience to Allah.
After completing the stoning ritual, pilgrims perform another Tawaf around the Kaaba in Mecca. Pilgrims will then perform a final Tawaf called the Farewell Tawaf as a way of bidding farewell to the Kaaba before leaving Mecca.
Haj is an annual pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia and one of the five pillars of Islam. It is a significant religious duty for Muslims and is considered one of the most important acts of worship in Islam.
This year, around 14,000 pilgrims comprising both citizens and expatriates from the Sultanate of Oman are in the holy land to perform Haj, corresponding to the Dul Hijjah 1444 AH, according to the Ministry of Awqaf and Religious Affairs.
Out of the total, as many as 250 are Arabs residing in Oman while the remaining 250 are non-Arab residents and as many as 700 opportunities were allocated to serve them for Haj and Umrah companies, at a rate of 5 per cent of the number of pilgrims for each company.
In order to make the Haj procedures hassle-free and safe, the World Health Organization (WHO) has issued some set of health recommendations for pilgrims, general health advice and guidelines for those who perform Haj.
WHO has developed a list of recommendations that every pilgrim should follow, which are consistent with the health requirements set by the health authorities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for those arriving during the Haj season this year.
It recommends that the countries from which pilgrims come take into account the existence of a minimum level of physical capacity for the pilgrims. It also warns of the high risk of infection with infectious diseases in the elderly and severe cases of chronic diseases such as advanced cancers, heart diseases, respiratory diseases, liver, kidneys, or aging.
It also recommends those coming for Haj and those with chronic diseases to bring evidence of their health status and the medicines they take, and to bring a sufficient amount of these medicines in their original packaging.
Haj involves several rituals and ceremonies that are performed over a period of several days including intention. It is the intention that defines the cause of the deed and it holds great role. It also involves Ihram which is the first step as the pilgrimage begins with entering the state of Ihram. Ihram in simple words is the act of wearing two white seamless sheets for men, and modest attire for women and entering a state of consecration and purity.
There is also gathering at Mount Arafat where all the pilgrims are supposed to gather on the 9th day of the Islamic month of Dhul Hijjah. They spend the day in prayer and supplication, seeking forgiveness and mercy from Allah.
Once Arafah gathering is over, pilgrims will then proceed to Muzdalifah at night where they spend the night in open areas and engage in prayers and remembrance of Allah.
Pilgrims then return to Mina and participate in the ritual of stoning three pillars that represent Satan. This act is to symbolise the rejection of evil temptations. The second last step in the whole process is to perform an animal sacrifice. This is to commemorate the willingness of Prophet Ibrahim to sacrifice his son as an act of obedience to Allah.
After completing the stoning ritual, pilgrims perform another Tawaf around the Kaaba in Mecca. Pilgrims will then perform a final Tawaf called the Farewell Tawaf as a way of bidding farewell to the Kaaba before leaving Mecca.