LETTER: What is Hajj all about?

Editor,

The Justice Department raised its terrorist threat assessment level to a high risk last week. The decision was timed to coincide with the Hajj, the annual Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca, Islam’s holiest site.

The coinciding of the two events may establish a linkage between Islamic rituals and events and violence unintentionally, especially if the audience is not well-informed about Islam.

So, what is Hajj? Hajj is a ceremony of love and devotion to God, and is an important pillar of Islam. It is a command of Allah and is obligatory once in life for every adult Muslim, male or female, who can afford it physically and financially. For the last 1,400 years, Muslims perform Hajj every year by the millions. They come from every corner of the globe to perform the sacred rites of Hajj.

It is associated with Prophet Abraham. The prophet Abraham (peace and blessings be upon him) loved Allah, and Allah took him as a friend. At the Hajj, people become one, look alike and do the same things.

Michael Wolfe, an American Muslim, described his experience during this spiritual event so nicely.

He said, “I am a Muslim. I revere the same Allah as my Christian mother and my Jewish father. Allah is simply the Arabic word for the God of Abraham, Moses and Jesus.

“During the Hajj each year, millions of faithful come to Mecca. The men and women wear simple lengths of unstitched cloth. The garments are a symbol. The person who wears them agrees not to harm plants and animals or fellow pilgrims. No arguments, no violence. We agree to keep the peace. The garments are a great leveler, too. Who can tell rich from poor? Millions descend on Mecca.”

In another place he said, “This is a rehearsal for that Day of Judgment. How will we account for our acts? Have I been grateful enough for the simple gifts of life, water, food, friends, family and the air I breathe? Before leaving Mecca, we visit the Ka’ba one last time. For most of us, this will be our last glimpse of the shrine.”

Ashraf Shaqadan