Hajj 1427 report - 'Stoning the Devil'

Mina, KSA - Pilgrims completed the ritual stoning of the devil without any untoward incidents. They started the stoning after pre dawn prayers & thanked God for the safe Hajj this year. Many pilgrims praised King Abdullah & other saudi authorities for their efforts to prevent any accidents this year during Hajj.

The African Market
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Muslim women from African countries such as Nigeria, Ethiopia, Cameroon etc set up a market for exquisite handicrafts in the tent city of Mina. Many pilgrims made use of this opportunity to purchase these beautiful items & were pleasantly surprised to find such talent among their brethren.

Hajj 1427 report - Day of Arafah

Arafah, KSA - More than 3 million muslims reached the plains of Arafah on Friday to seek forgiveness from God for their past sins & promised to turn over a new leaf in an emotionally charged atmosphere. The grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia advised muslims to return to the precepts of the Quran & Sunnah for success in this world & the Hereafter. He also advised them to stay united in the face of challenges facing the Muslim world. He mentioned that the enemies are causing untold misery & suffering in places such as Afghanistan, Iraq, Chechenya, Somalia & Palestine. He advised people to stand firm in the face of such injustice and asked them to overlook their personal differences which led to disunity.

The pilgrims retired to the valley of Muzdalifah after sunset & spent the night in Zikr ie remembrance of God. Tomorrow, the pilgrims will start the ritual of 'Stoning the devil' in
the valley of Mina.

Hajj 1427 report - Day 2

By A Matin

Mina, KSA - Pilgrims reached the tent city of Mina and spent the day in preparation for the 'Day of Arafah'. Traditionally, the stay at Mina was used to rest the camels and quench their thirst. However, as no camels are used anymore, the pilgrims utilised the time to refresh themselves and stocked up on supplies. The Saudi authorities have mounted a huge logistical operation to ensure that the pilgrims dont face any difficulties in the coming days. Their efforts will be tested in the next few days especially during the ritual of `Stoning the devil' when pilgrims throw pebbles at a wall symbolizing the devil where Patriarch Abraham & his family were tempted by Satan.

Hajj 1427 Day 1 report part 2

Muslim men & women circumambulate around the Kaaba, which was built by Prophet Abraham along with his son Ismail. This ancient place of worship is the direction muslims face while performing their prayer & it signifies the unity of muslims. Male muslims wear 2 pieces of unsewn cloth & women wear modest clothing which erases any barrier of class or wealth which may have existed previously.

Saudi authorities are doing their best to help more than 2.5 million muslims complete their pilgrimage safely. Their preparation will be tested after friday and the following days when the ritual of 'Stoning the devil' takes place. The authorities seek to prevent any problems during this ritual, God willing.

Muslims moved to Mina (few kilometeres from Makkah) to spend their day
in a tent and remember God in preparation for the 'Day of Arafah'.

Hajj 1427 Day 1 Report part 1

By A Matin

Makkah, KSA - Large crowds of pilgrims converged upon Islam's holy city as the 'Day of Standing' on the plain of Arafah, which falls on Friday, drew close. Makkah resembled a global village on Wednesday with people of all nationalities as diverse as the Bosnian & Ethnic Chinese Muslims. It was heartening to see both Sunni & Shia, Kurd & Turkmen and other people standing shoulder to shoulder without any problem. A feeling of universal brotherhood was in the air & people who were intractable enemies were now bosom friends.

However it was the Turkish Muslims who are in the spotlight this Hajj due to their massive presence in Makkah. It signifies the return of Turkey to the Islamic fold after decades of experimentation with the European way of life. Turkey's Muslims seem to have realised that Europe will not accept them even if they discard their religon & have come back in large numbers to their basics. The Haram Sharif or Grand Mosque was packed with pilgrims performing the rites which celebrate patriarch Abraham & his wife Hagar's sacrifice in the path of God. - continued

Breaking News - Ethiopian jets strike Somali airports

Somali Muslims prevented from performing HAJJ by ETHIOPIAN AIR BOMBING

By Guled Mohamed

MOGADISHU (Reuters) - "This latest attack has come at time when so many people are traveling to attend haj", witnesses said of the Mogadishu air raid. "It is a shocking attack!"

Reuters report below ...

http://today.reuters.com/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=newsOne&storyid=2006-12-25T114647Z_01_L24148211_RTRUKOC_0_US-SOMALIA-CONFLICT.xml&WTmodLoc=NewsArt-R1-MostViewed-2

Coming Soon - HAJJ 1427 - The Journey of a Lifetime!

By A Matin

KSA (TC-Press) - Starting tomorrow, our correspondent will travel along with pilgrims from all over the world to Makkah and bring you a day-by-day account of this amazing spiritual and temporal journey as it unfolds.

HAJJ 1427

Watch this space for more …..

For Info on Hajj, go to Islamcity Hajj Information Center
http://www.islamicity.com/mosque/hajj/