Arafat Standing to Mark Hajj Climax

19/01/2005| IslamWeb

The valley of Mina reverberated with the chants of the talbiyah as more than three million pilgrims prepared for their journey today to the Plains of Arafat to bring this year's Hajj to a grand climax. The pilgrims' collective chant of "Labbaik Allahumma Labbaik" (Here I am Oh Lord, answering your call) filled the air as the tent city stood witness to what looked like the largest Hajj in history. The morning was cool, more so for older pilgrims in their seamless garb but the sun soon came out and brought warmth to the pilgrims' delight. To Pakistani Ghulam Haider from Lari Kot who also performed Hajj last year, the weather seemed very cold. "Last year, the weather was better and pleasanter. Older pilgrims have problems with the cold; some of them have developed fever." Pilgrims from Iraq - especially those from Fallujah - were sought out by the media who hounded them for their reactions to the recent troubles there. Abdullah Jasssiri from Latifiyah near Baghdad was happy just to be alive. "I have come to perform Hajj to show my gratitude to the Almighty for saving me and my family members' lives from bombings and cross-fires." He was also seeking more help. "I pray for peace and security to return to my motherland," said Jassiri. The comments of other Iraqis were more somber and focused on the next world instead of this. Fifty-two-year old Umm Muhammad from Fallujah was very bitter at what had happened to her city. "I lost my husband and my son in the bombing that devastated most of Fallujah," she said through tears. "This pilgrimage is to seek paradise for my martyred family members. This is the least I can do for them." The security and other arrangements are amazing. A top Hajj official said, "Everything is moving smoothly according to our plan." The authorities have put in place a revised plan for the stoning of the devil to avoid the tragedies which have occurred during that ritual in the past. According to Osama Sumanoudi of the South Asian Establishment for Pilgrims, all pilgrims have been instructed not to carry their luggage onto the bridge. In the past, pilgrims left their baggage on the way to the Jamrat and by leaving it, created dangerous obstacles to other pilgrims. Now the luggage will be taken by representatives of the establishment to which the pilgrims belong before they reach the bridge. Another change made by the authorities aiming at the smooth flow of pilgrims during stoning the Jamrat is the size of the jamrat; they have been greatly increased. Earlier jamrat were in the shape of cement columns whereas now they have been made larger so that pilgrims can throw stones from greater distances. Both the size and design have been completely changed. The roads on both side of the Jamrat Bridge have also been considerably widened to enable the pilgrims to move more smoothly. The Mina valley, which is the pilgrims' first stop on their way to the Plains of Arafat for the climax of Hajj today, witnessed a unique bond of brotherhood and warmth among the Muslim Ummah. There was no discrimination on the basis of color, race or nationality. All of them were reciting the talbiyah - a prayer unifying pilgrims. Once in the valley pilgrims everywhere - in their tents as well as on pavements and adjoining hills - were busy in prayer and recitation of the Noble Qur'an as they prepared themselves for the trek to Arafat. However, the otherwise charged atmosphere in the valley was subdued yesterday. Some pilgrims looked tired and disoriented. Peace was uppermost in the mind of a pilgrim from Anantnag in Indian Kashmir. "Muslims all over the world are facing problems due to attacks by anti-Islamic forces," said Abdul Aziz Geelani. The frustration and disgust is noticeable. Geelani said that he would "pray for peace to prevail in the world - especially in Iraq, Palestine and Kashmir. I want nothing but peace and security. For me, everything else comes after that." Geelani's daughter, Farzana, who was with him, expressed similar sentiments. As in every other year, thousands of "freelance Hajjis" were squatting all around the tent city and making the movement of pilgrims and vehicles difficult. Many of them were sleeping on the pavement after a tiring journey from Makkah that had taken hours. But they had no complaints. "Delays are not unexpected," said Muammaer Al-Hussaim from Qatar. "You can't move fast when thousands of people are walking together in the same direction." Hundreds of thousands of pilgrims converged on Mina and by the evening, the whole valley was a sea of humanity. Pilgrims made their way onto the plains of Mina in buses, cars and on foot and looked ready for the demanding rituals ahead of them. Policemen were directing pilgrims and making way for buses and ambulances. Sweepers cleaned the roads leading to Jamrat so that no debris would impede or injure the barefoot pilgrims. Pilgrims praised this year's improved arrangements. After spending a full day and last night in prayer and meditation in Mina, pilgrims will move to Arafat today. Pilgrims then return to Muzdalifa after sunset and spend the night there, proceeding to Mina after collecting pebbles for the ritual of stoning the Jamrat. They will stone Jamrah Al-Aqaba representing the devil and sacrifice animals to mark the Eid Al-Adha which is on Thursday.