Ref: PR/AF/010/20 Date: 24th July 2020
HAJJ – A Great Spiritual Lifetime Experience
The crescent for the month of Zilhajj has been sighted and the hearts of the Muslim Community worldwide this year is filled with sadness and anxiety. This is the month where approximately 2.5 million Muslims from 183 countries gather in the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah to perform HAJJ and the Ziyarat albeit, this year this obligatory and mustahab acts cannot take place like every year.
The Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah announced that only people who currently reside in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will be permitted to make their pilgrimage during 2020, due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. This year, 9th and 10th Zilhajj will fall on 30th and 31st July.
Hajj is the act of worship of a lifetime
In it are clear signs [such as] the standing place of Abraham. And whoever enters it shall be safe. And [due] to Allah from the people is a pilgrimage to the House – for whoever is able to find thereto a way. But whoever disbelieves – then indeed, Allah is free from need of the worlds [Holy Qur’an Surah Al-Imran, 3:97]
Hajj is a form of worship, to which several factors are intertwined – Physical, material, spiritual and emotional.
Hajj enables Muslims from all around the world, of different colors, languages, races, and ethnicities, to come together in a spirit of universal brotherhood and sisterhood to worship the One God together.
Hajj provides a wonderful opportunity to change and begin a new life style of uplifting spiritual well-being and be conscious of one’s responsibilities towards Allah (s.w.t.) and towards their fellow human beings; many are in need of support, attention and care.
For us Zilhajj is a month where we celebrate Eid-e-Ghadeer, Eid-e-Mubahela and Eid-ul-Adha. A number of pilgrims visit the Holy Shrines in Iraq for Arafah and Eid-e-Ghadeer, this year unfortunately this spiritual journey will not be possible due to restrictions of travel for precautions against the spread of Covid-19 virus.
Allah (s.w.t.) – The All-Knowing in His mercy has better plans for us and we need to take lessons from such conditions like the current pandemic and have faith in His plans and do Isteghfa’r.
The Covid-19 Pandemic:
The Pandemic has caused a lot of instability in our lives, many of our brethren have lost their livelihood, families have lost their dear ones whilst others have got into health issues due to lack of medications/treatment and travel restrictions.
The economic situation of the Community in general has been affected too, hence this is most crucial time when we must collectively stand united to overcome these crises and support each other, especially those who are vulnerable in our Community.
It is my humble appeal to all our Community members to pay their Hukuk, Zakat and Sadaqat etc. through Africa Federation, whereby it is centrally managed. Funds are accordingly disbursed to the needy and deserving members of our Community for their essential necessities through our Member Jamaats in Africa.
Greetings and Prayers:
On behalf of the Africa Federation Office Bearers, Trustees and Councilors, and on my own behalf, I wish you all a blessed month of Zilhajj and extend our best wishes to the community members on the occasion of Eid ul Adha – The Festival of Sacrifice – “Eid Mubarak”.
Let us pray to Allah (s.w.t.) to shower His bounties of Grace and Mercy unto us all. On this auspicious and important occasion for the safety and wellness of all Muslims throughout the world, especially during this pandemic period.
May we all be granted the opportunity to perform Hajj and Ziyarat as soon as possible and also to perform the Azadari (commemoration) of the martyrdom of Seyyedu Shohadah Aba Abdillahil Hussain (a.s.) and all the Martyrs of Karbala during the months of Muharram and Safar.
Shabir Najafi
Chairman