Hajj 2007 - Eid ul-Adha - Unofficial thread

Hajj 2007 - Eid ul-Adha

2.5 Million Pilgrams... one Location... Are you ready?

Are you attending Hajj this year, or have family and/or friends performing the pilgrimage?

When is Eid in your part of the world this year? Are you excited? Any special festivities happening in your area? Please share :)

What is Hajj?
The Hajj which is the pilgrimage to Mecca (Makkah), is the largest annual pilgrimage in the world. It is the fifth pillar of Islam, an obligation that must be carried out by every able-bodied Muslim who can afford to do so, at least once in their lifetime. It is the demonstration of the solidarity of the Muslim people, and their submission to God.

The pilgrimage occurs from the 8th to the 12th day of Dhul Hijjah, the 12th month of the Islamic calendar. This date cannot be aligned directly with Western calendars, but in the early 21st century, it occurs roughly in the November-January timeframe. In 2007, the next month of Dhul Hijjah begins on December 11, with the week of the Hajj beginning on December 18, 2007.

More info here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hajj

What is Eid ul-Adha?
Eid al-Adha is a religious festival celebrated by Muslims worldwide as a commemoration of Ibrahim's (Abraham's) willingness to sacrifice his son Ismael for Allah. It is one of two Eid festivals that Muslims celebrate. Like Eid ul-Fitr, Eid ul-Adha begins with a short prayer followed by a sermon (khuṭba). It is also called the bigger Eid because it lasts a day longer than Eid ul-Fitr[citation needed].

Eid al-Adha is four days long and starts on the 10th day of the month of Dhul Hijja of the lunar Islamic calendar. This is the day after the pilgrims in Hajj, the annual pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia by Muslims worldwide, descend from Mount Arafat. It happens to be approximately 70 days after the end of the month of Ramadan.

More info here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eid_ul-Adha

National Geographic - Inside Mecca (Documentry on Hajj and it's History)
Part 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Y1QirbP0SI
Part 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ZyxcZTGHz4
Part 3: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=so5BLhPDXRU
Part 4: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aC_G6hs2Ibw
Part 5: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=64v-PfCeU4w
Part 6: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8CQ5bCaCO7k

What is Islam through Film (All of these movies been marked as freely distributable by their studios)

The Message (1976): Excellent feature film created by an International team, starring Anthony Quinn and directed by Moustapha Akkad (known for his "Halloween" series) - 8.4/10 on iMDB - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3gsJv6Kus6A

Muhammed The Last Prophet (Animated Feature Film): click here to download

Downloadable children's videos on Islamic (and Abrahamic) prophets - http://www.resnica-haq.com/articles/cartoons.htm

I wonder if the Saudi government stepped up safety procedures to better prevent stampedes.

I wonder if the Saudi government stepped up safety procedures to better prevent stampedes.

The_Ish

Yah, apparently they did quite a bit for this year, i was just reading about it this morning -- especially considering Iran's President is going on Hajj this year, and the political inclinations revolving around that: http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/75168ECF-25CB-4EB3-AA0D-B3C4535A5D47.htm

- 50,000 security forces
- more then 1,000 surveillance cameras
- several camera-equipped helicopters
- 11,000 doctors, nurses and perimedics
- 85 ambulances

However, with over 2 million people attending, I imagine it is still hard to predict what will happen

To nervous to check any of those links out. Might take be to some be-heading video's or terrorist websites.

OLDGAMER1972

Uhmm, ya... no.

[QUOTE="The_Ish"]

I wonder if the Saudi government stepped up safety procedures to better prevent stampedes.

rimnet00

Yah, apparently they did quite a bit for this year, i was just reading about it this morning -- especially considering Iran's President is going on Hajj this year, and the political inclinations revolving around that: http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/75168ECF-25CB-4EB3-AA0D-B3C4535A5D47.htm

To nervous to check any of those links out. Might take be to some be-heading video's or terrorist websites.

OLDGAMER1972

Uhmm, ya... no.

Thanks for the link.

Also, it's best if you ignore people like that.

To nervous to check any of those links out. Might take be to some be-heading video's or terrorist websites.

OLDGAMER1972

Just read the link...and it doesn't seem like they have done anything to actually prevent the stampedes, according to the article. They should focus on rebuilding the structures to accomadate the Hajj traffic, not just have medical personell on standby after something happens.The_Ish

Oh, my bad... yah, I didn't realize this article didn't cover it. I totally agree, that really needs to be a focus.

Just for others who don't know what The Ish is referring to; one of the stops on the Hajj is an area of Mina where three stone pillars are found, spaced quite far appart from each other in a straight direction (refer to image below). This area is where tragic stampedes have happened in recent years due to the influx of pillgrams. Originally, there were two 'highway levels' to help divide traffic... however thats not enough now adays.

Apparently in 2006 a 6-level highway began construction. Hopefully it's done, though I'm not certain myself.

Photograph of the Jamarat Bridge in the Mina area, during peak hours during the Hajj... should give you an idea why it has been dangerous in recent year. Consider, that everyone is converging around those three circular pit-looking areas -- hard to make out.

Im not going. I have family friends that are though.arab_prince

Congrats to them! I want to go real soon, but I want to first get the 5 prayers a day down. The Mosque itself, in photographs is huge and totally dwarfs everyone. That is something I really must see. Plus, the Imam's with the surreal recitations!

No, but good luck to those that make the journey.thirstychainsaw

ditto on that.