Hajj

By Rabiul Biplob/Converged Citizen Staff

Windsor Muslims have been saddened by the deaths of pilgrims in Mecca, Saudi Arabia where they were performing the religious ritual, Hajj.

In this year’s Hajj over 700 plus pilgrims have died and over 900 people were injured from a stampede on Sept. 24 disaster in Mecca. Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam. It is mandatory for those Muslims who are financially and physically fit and they are requested to attend only once.

Shaikh Abdullah Hammoud is Imam of Al-Hijra Mosque in Windsor.

“If we could learn the lesson from the Eid-ul-Adha the final day of Hajj which teaches us to sacrifice for the poor and needy, then the world would be different and there would be peace and love everywhere,” said Hammoud following the Eid-ul-Adah prayer to the people who were present at the WFCU Centre in Windsor.

Ali Haider is a banker who has performed Hajj.

“One must visit the sacred place Mecca to see the places where Quran was revealed and the sacrifices people made at that time to spread the message throughout the world. The rituals are symbolic but the environment is different and you will feel that,” said Haider “And also it is unfortunate to see so many have died in an accident in Mecca during performing the Hajj.”

Azharul Islam performed Umrah Hajj when he was working in Kuwait.

“It was a great experience for me and my family when we performed Umrah Hajj. It was not as big as the big Hajj but we visited the sacred places of Mecca” said Islam.

Muslims from all over the world travel to Mecca to perform Hajj. Also in Canada Muslims celebrate the Eid-ul-Adha which is final day of Hajj, performed annually according to Arabic calendar.

Hajj is the most significant part of Islamic faith and unity.