Why Terror Alert is timed with Hajj?
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 Makkah, Islam’s holiest site. The agreement between 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 an important pillar of Islam. It is a command of GOD (Allah). It is obligatory once in life on every adult Muslim, male or female, who can afford it physically and financially. For the last 1400 years, Muslims perform Hajj every year in millions in number. They are coming from every corner of the globe to perform the sacred rites of Hajj. Hajj is a ceremony of love and devotion to god. A Muslim’s relation with god is that of deep love, devotion and obedience. Hajj is deeply associated with Prophet Abraham (Ibrahim) and his life-story. Prophet Abraham (peace and blessings be upon him) loved Allah and Allah took him as a friend. Hajj gives the universal spirit of Islam. People of all races, colors and nationalities go there. They become one people without any class or distinction. They look alike and do the same things. The spirit of Hajj is to foster peace of mind, unity and universal brotherhood and sisterhood among the believers. To enlighten readers of the blessings of this event; Michael Wolfe who is an American Muslim described his experience during this spiritual event (Hajj) 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. I find the absence of priests and rabbis attractive. Islam means acknowledging the Oneness of Allah, surrendering to it, cooperating with the way things are. Being a Muslim, Allah is as near as the veins in my neck. During the Hajj each year, millions of faithful come to Makkah. 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 Makkah Here I join people from all over the earth, all these human beings drawn together by the call of an idea, by the oneness of Allah. We have left daily life behind and come to a place hardly belonging to this world, a place filled by the almost tangible presence of Allah.” In other place he says “The Hajj goes on inside the hearts and thoughts of each of us. This is a rehearsal for that Day of Judgment. How will we account for our acts? Have I injured anyone? Have I been grateful enough for the simple gifts of life, water, food, friends, family and the air I breath? Before leaving Makkah, we visit the Ka’ba one last time. For most of us, this will be our last glimpse of the shrine. There is an old proverb–before you visit Makkah, it beckons you. When you leave it behind, it calls you forever.”
*Quotes are from Michael Wolfe article on (http://www.islamonline.net) dated 2/8/2003.
Ashraf Shaqadan Graduate StudentBIE Dept.Utah State UniversityASHRAFA@cc.usu.edu435-7923695