1.5 billion Muslims stand in the direction of Makkah five times a day

Millions of Muslims worldwide converge on Makkah to perform Hajj

During the past few days, millions of Muslims around the world converged on Makkah to perform Hajj, the fifth pillar of Islam.

Hundreds of thousands of them are probably performing it for the first time in their life feeling the excitement that comes along with it, and having a unique experience while they mix with Muslims of different cultures, languages and places. Some may have come in Makkah overcoming innumerable obstacles, others may have come from countries shattered by conflicts and political turmoil. Despite all of that, they are in Makkah for pray and hope of a much more stable world, and to wish for a time when all these dire situations would vanish.

No one argues that Hajj is an impressive demonstration of Muslim solidarity. Muslims from different colors, ethnic and cultural backgrounds wearing the same white robes are in one place at a specific time.

This sense of unity is even enhanced on the Day of Arafat when all pilgrims stay in the plain of Arafat, a component of Hajj considered as the peak of all Haj rituals, and listen to a sermon outlining the general outlines of the Islamic faith. This famous sermon is a model for the one delivered by Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) who, 1400 years ago, stood at the same place and spoke to what is largely referred to as the "Farewell Sermon." A lot of lessons can be inferred from that historic sermon which still highlights Muslims’ path ever since.

In one important sentence of that well-known, groundbreaking sermon, the Prophet reiterated the message of Islam by saying: "O People: your lives and your property, until the very day you meet your Lord, are as inviolable to each other as the inviolability of this day you are now on, and the month you are in. Have I given the message?"

As it is clear form the above quote, the message of Islam is indisputably peace with its emphasis on tolerance, mutual respect and forgiveness of one for each other, despite the fact that sharp differences among fellow Muslims may exist. However, many Muslim communities have recently succumbed to violence and the counter-violence fueled by sharp and unbridled differences. Sectarian violence in Iraq and Lebanon is an example of a bloody confrontation by the followers of the same faith in which the grand teachings of Islam are largely overlooked.

Another lesson that can be learned from that sermon is the Prophet’s emphasis on respecting women’s rights.

"O People: verily you owe your women their rights, and they owe you yours".. So fear Allah in respect to women and concern yourselves with their welfare. Have I given the message? ". O Allah, be my witness." Despite the fact that women’s rights are institutionalized in Islam, no one doubts the fact that women’s rights across the Muslim world are frequently violated and normally ignored. Reasons behind the rampant disdain of women’s rights vary from one social setting to another. Some of these injustices against women take root in extreme interpretations of the Qur’an and Hadith, while others are deep-rooted in local customs and social norms which have nothing to do with Islam or its teachings.

These inherent norms are taken by many as an excuse to persecute women, suppress them and prevent them from legitimate participation of building their countries. Examples of such unlawful stance towards women are quite legion, however. Many Muslim women are denied access to education, work and better health care. Other forms of injustices perpetrated against women include unfair share in wealth and asking for their consent regarding marriage and family, just to name a few.

The other great value that was well-established in the Prophet’s farewell address is equality. During the pre-Islamic era, discrimination based on color, ethnicity and gender was commonplace. The Prophet (peace be upon him), in his aforementioned address, stressed the importance of equality through the implementation of law and order. He highlighted this by saying: "Learn that every Muslim is a brother to every Muslim and that the Muslims constitute one brotherhood." Elsewhere in the address, he was keen to eliminate all factors hindering the emergence of a society where all people enjoy the same rights when he said: "All mankind is from Adam and Eve, an Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab nor a non-Arab has any superiority over an Arab; also a white has no superiority over a black; nor a black has any superiority over a white - except by piety and good conduct.

As Muslims retrace the footsteps of the Prophet, they realize in an indescribable inner peace enhanced by the Prophet’s teachings that stress the importance of forgiveness, mercy, justice and humility. All in all, Hajj is not an assortment of some rituals but, beyond that, is an occasion for millions of Muslims to gather around a symbol of Muslim solidarity that should reflect a deep commitment to the noble teachings of Islam: peace, equality and justice.

Makkah is home to the Masjid al-Haram, it is the holiest city in Islam and plays an important role in the faith. The annual Hajj pilgrimage attracts one-three million pilgrims to the city, and presents both opportunities for the city's economy, and challenges for its infrastructure. Culturally, the city is modern, cosmopolitan and ethnically diverse.

Islamic tradition attributes the beginning of Mecca to Ishmael's descendants. In the 7th century, the Islamic prophet Muhammad proclaimed Islam in the city, by then an important trading center, and the city played an important role in the early history of Islam. After 966, Mecca was led by local sharifs, until 1924, when it came under the rule of the Saudis. In its modern period, Mecca has seen a great expansion in size and infrastructure.

Mecca is at an elevation of 277 m (910 ft) above sea level, and approximately 50 mi (80 km) inland from the Red Sea. The city is situated between mountains, which has defined the contemporary expansion of the city. The city centers around the Masjid al-Haram area, whose altitude is lower than most of the city. The area around the mosque comprises the old city. As the Saudis expanded the Grand Mosque in the center of the city, where there were once hundreds of houses are now replaced with wide avenues and city squares. Traditional homes are built of local rock and are generally two to three stories. The total area of Mecca metro today stands over 1,200 km2 (460 sq mi).

Central Mecca lies in a corridor between mountains, which is often called the "hollow of Mecca." Mecca's location was also important for trade, and it was the stop for important trade routes.

In pre-modern Mecca, the city exploited a few chief sources of water. The first were local wells, such as the Zamzam Well, that produced generally brackish water. The second source was the spring of Ayn Zubayda.

Unlike other Saudi Arabian cities, Mecca retains its warm temperature in winter, which can range from 17 °C (63 °F) at midnight to 25 °C (77 °F) in the afternoon. Summer temperatures are considered very hot and break the 40 °C (104 °F) mark in the afternoon dropping to 30 °C (86 °F) in the evening. Rain usually falls in Mecca in small amounts in December and January.

Al-Masjid al-Haram is the largest mosque in the world. Located in the city of Mecca, it surrounds the Kaaba, the place which Muslims turn towards while offering daily prayers and is considered by Muslims as the holiest place on Earth. The mosque is also commonly known as the Grand Mosque, Haram or Haram Sharif.

The current structure covers an area of 356,800 square meters (3,840,570 square feet) including the outdoor and indoor praying spaces and can accommodate up to 4 million worshippers during the Hajj period, one of the largest annual gatherings of people in the world.

Honorable Makkah, the Secure City; Allah has distinguished it from among all places and made it sacred from the day He created the heavens and the earth.

Allah commanded Prophet Ibrahim to build the first House on earth for Allah to be worshipped in at this spot and sent down the Black Stone from Paradise as a manifest sign of the sanctity of His Sacred House.

In order to make the matter clear, lest people confuse what is virtuous with what is not and what is sacred with what is not, the Lord sent down the angel Jibreel (Gabriel) to point out the boundaries of the Sacred City, and Prophet Ibrahim placed signs marking its boundaries.

Furthermore, Allah commanded His messenger, Muhammad to rebuild the structure of the House. This, indeed, is a clear sign and evidence manifesting the sanctity and holiness of this Secure City.

It was with the command of Allaah that Prophet Ibrahim proclaimed to the people the Hajj (pilgrimage) and Allaah took it upon Himself to convey the sound of the call all around the world. Thereafter, the caravan of the honorable prophets, the righteous and those who followed them began to respond and come forth to the Sacred City. Prophet Moussa (Moses) the one who was honoured by the miracle of Allaah speaking to him, came forth, as came Prophet Younus (Jonah) the one who was swallowed by the whale, as well as a multitude of other prophets.

Makkah is the land where the Prophet Muhammad was born and where his prophethood commenced. It is where he first received revelation; on the peak of one of its lofty mountains lies the famous Cave Hiraa’ in which the Qur’an was revealed to him.

The honoring and sanctity of Makkah continued with the prophethood of Muhammad and he conveyed to us that the Kaaba was to be the direction which the Muslims should face during their prayers, and that a single prayer in the Sacred Mosque was to be equivalent to a hundred thousand in any other mosque.

Makkah and its lofty status in the sight of Allaah when he said, addressing it: "I swear by Allaah! You are the best of the lands of Allaah and you are the most beloved land to Allaah."

The sacred ordinances and symbols (rites) of Allaah refers to the Sacred City, the Sacred House of Allaah, and sacred places within them, and it is due to their special qualities that Allaah has distinguished them from all other cities and lands.

Prince Naif bin Abdulaziz, the Interior Minister and Chairman of Hajj Supreme Committee has sent a cable to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud on the completion of pilgrims entry through air, land and sea ports.

In his cable, Prince Naif said, " I have the honor on this day of the holy days of Islam to send you my sincere greetings and congratulations after the completion of pilgrims' entry through air, land and sea ports. They arrived in the holy places easily and safely, thanks to Allah and thanks to the continual care provided by the King and the Crown Prince for facilities of pilgrims' services which create convenience for pilgrims and enable them to perform their rituals easily and safely".

Prince Naif added, "I am also pleased to inform you that the number of pilgrims coming from abroad this year's Hajj 1429H. amounted to 1,729,841 pilgrims. The number of males amounted to 939,221 pilgrims accounting for 54.3% and the number of females 790, 620 pilgrims accounting for 45.7%. For the first time in the history of pilgrims' entry, this number of pilgrims has set a record for Hajj years.

The number of pilgrims coming this year in comparison with the last year increased 18,026 pilgrims, at a rate of 1.1%. The entry of pilgrims this year is as follows:

By air 1,575,645 pilgrims, By Land 131,353 pilgrims, By sea 22,843 pilgrims.

This year, pilgrims of represent 178 nationalities from all over the world.

I pray to Almighty Allah to preserve you as a leader of this nation and a developer of its progress and to preserve the Crown Prince, also praying for continual bestowing of the blessings of security and faith upon this country".

Prince Khalid Al-Faisal bin Abdulaziz, the Governor of Makkah region and Chairman of Hajj Central Committee congratulated the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud; Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Deputy Premier, Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General; and Prince Naif bin Abdulaziz, the Interior Minister and Chairman of Hajj Supreme Committee on the great achievement and distinguished organization of this year's Hajj season.

He also congratulated them on the performance of all security and service bodies for providing all necessary services for pilgrims, hoping that this year's Hajj season will be at the highest level of success.

In a press statement after the success of pilgrims' movement from Makkah to Mina today, Prince Khalid Al-Faisal stressed that preparations are excellent.

In line with the Sunnah (teachings) of the Prophet Mohammed, peace be upon him, the pilgrims moved early Saturday to Mina. They spent there the day and night hours prior to moving to Arafat early Sunday morning.

The eighth of the lunar month of Zil-Hijjah is called the Tarwiyah(watering) day, because in the ancient times the pilgrims used to fill their water skins on this day in preparation to ascendance to Arafat in the next day.

Thanks to Allah Almighty and thanks to the excellent services and facilities being extended by the concerned Saudi authorities, the pilgrims moved easily to Mina without facing problems.

Prince Naif bin Abdulaziz, the Interior Minister and Head of the Supreme Hajj Committee, Prince Khalid al-Faisal, the Governor of Makkah region and Head of the Hajj Central Committee, and other concerned officials followed up the ascendance of the pilgrims to Mina.

Prince Naif issued his directives to the concerned officials to extend all possible facilities and services to the guests of God.

Members of the security forces helped the traffic men in organizing the ascendance process and guidance of the pilgrims so as to ensure their safety and security.

Despite the large numbers of pilgrims, yet they moved easily and smoothly.

All the required medical services as well as the food materials are available in Mina.

There are tens of hospitals and health centers, some of them work under the supervision of the health ministry and some others work under the supervision of the national guard, the armed forces and the internal security forces as well as the Saudi Red Crescent society.

There are also ample number of telecommunications centers to enable the guests of God contact their relatives in the various parts of the world.

Thanks to Allah Almighty there are large quantifies of water to meet the requirements of the pilgrims.

At sunrise, the tenth day of Dhu-Al hijjah, millions of happy and cheering pilgrims reached Mina from Muzdalifah in groups and as individuals on foot and by vehicles.

Acclaiming "At thy service, my Allah, at thy service." They continued to recite intonations and praise of Allah Al-mighty, who graced them to ascend the mount of Arafat yesterday, the most important cornerstone of Hajj.

The pilgrims had spent their night in "Muzdalifah" under the blessings of Allah, and the integrated services rendered by their Saudi brothers who are sons of this blessed country which is proud to serve the Guests of Allah, the Two Holy Mosques and the Islamic Nation in every place under the leadership of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Deputy Premier, Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General.

The King and Crown Prince have personally overseen all stages of the pilgrims' movements at the holy places and issued directives to the concerned Hajj authorities to provide the highest level of services to the pilgrims in order to ease their Hajj rituals in comfort and security.

Plans have been drawn up by all sectors concerned with Hajj works and service. In this context, security sectors have been successful for this year's Hajj by Allah's grace and the personal follow-up of Prince Naif bin Abdulaziz, the Interior Minister and Chairman of the Supreme Hajj Committee and Prince Khalid Al Faisal, the Governor of Makkah and the Chairman of the Central Hajj Committee.

Upon their arrival in Mina, the pilgrims began throwing pebbles at the 'Big Jamarat' in line with the Sunnah of Prophet (PBUH).

The pilgrims, then, proceeded to slaughter the ordained sacrifice. After this rite, the pilgrims shaved their heads, and returned back to Makkah for the circumambulation rite of "Kaaba" as well as performing 'Saie' walking and running between the hills of Al-Safa and Al Marwah.

SPA's mission in the Hoy Places has spotted the presence of a great number of delegates of Arab, Islamic and international information media organs, who have been very active in covering comprehensively this year's Hajj and the performance of its various rituals.

It also witnessed the smooth and easy movements of pilgrims despite their huge numbers and also the number of a large number of vehicles.

Thanks to Allah Almighty and thanks to the spacious roads and the modern transport means as well as the qualified traffic personnel, the traffic plan turned out to be a successful one.

On their part, the Scout cadets are working day and night to organize the traffic movement and to guide the pilgrims and to ensure their safety.

The helicopters were over-flying to follow up the movement of the pilgrims.

All required services including fresh water and enough quantities of foodstuffs are readily available to the pilgrims.

The centers of the civil defense are spread along the roads and are located at the Holy Places.

Prince Khalid al-Faisal, the Governor of Makkah region and Head of the Hajj Central Committee, has confirmed the success of the plan of the movement of the pilgrims from Muzdalifa to Mina.

With the grace of Allah Almighty, the pilgrims returned easily and smoothly from Muzdalifa to Mina, he said noting that integrated services were extended to the guests of God in line with the directives of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz and Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz.

Prince Khalid said all concerned authorities in Makkah region as well as the security men and security sectors have been dedicating their efforts for the service of the pilgrims, he said.

He said the Kingdom, government and people, do feel honored by the service of the pilgrims.

Prince Khalid noted that all plans set by the concerned authorities for the service of the pilgrims were carried out in a satisfactory manner.

Meanwhile, Prince Khalid said the health condition of the pilgrims is excellent and no epidemic cases were reported.

Moreover, the security and traffic condition is excellent and no serious traffic or security cases were reported, he said adding that the pilgrims move from place to the other in the Holy Places easily and smoothly.

Prince Khalid pointed out that the great projects implemented in Makkah and the Holy Places, notably the projects of roads, bridges and tunnels, have positively contributed to facilitating the movements of the pilgrims.

Prince Khalid congratulated the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz, the Saudi government and people as well as the Muslim nation and the pilgrims on the occasion of Eid al-Adha, and hoped that the pilgrims would return safely to their homelands after performing their Hajj rituals.

For his part, the Secretary General of the Muslim World League (MWL) Dr. Abdullah bin Abdulmohsen Al-Turki, called on the Muslims leaders and nations to return to Allah (god) and benefit from this hajj season in tackling the nation's issues.

On the occasion of Arafa day, he said the Islamic nation is looking forward to the efforts of the Islamic world's leaders and their initiatives to tackle the hot issues, mainly the Palestinian cause, the situation in Iraq and the internal conflict in Somalia.

He called for an urgent initiative through the Arab League and the Organization of Islamic Council (OIC) to mediate between the Somali factions to end this conflict.