An event organised to give pilgrims an understanding of the journey ahead opened the gates of knowledge and advice as key speakers focussed on both the practical journey and the Islamic rulings.
The Hajj Seminar was held at the Al-Hikmah Centre and organised by the IMWS. The programme included a detailed talk by Moulana Suleman Makda on the practical Journey followed by a question and answer session by one of the UK’s leading Islamic Jurists Mufti Yusuf Sacha sahib.
Hajj is the fifth pillar in Islam and Muslims possessing the wealth to make the journey should perform the pilgrimage at least once in a lifetime. The Hajj itself is over a five-day period during which the pilgrims have to travel between Mina, Arafat and Muzdalifah (suburbs just outside Makkah) before returning to Makkah. The days include a number of religious acts, which need to be performed within particular times and on particular days. The seminar intended to help educate this years pilgrims in this matter to ensure their Hajj is performed correctly and with ease.
Moulana Suleman walked the audience through from boarding the plane right to the final fifth day of Hajj. His detailed segment advised pilgrims on key issues from a personal experience, such as looking after luggage, issuing of the drafts, the experience of travelling from the airport to their first destination – to mention a few. He then focused over the five days of Hajj taking the whole journey step by step to the final fifth day and the return to the holy city.
Following his talk the floor was opened to questions and attendees had the opportunity to ask Mufti Yusuf Sacha sahib on any matter relating to Hajj. Many of the questions asked were from a personal nature and the answers benefitted not only those in the hall but those at home listening to the programme via Radio IMWS.
Lead person on the planning of the seminar was Moulana Hashim Sacha sahib who told us the programme was very good and had excellent questions, adding the number of questions asked were more than anticipated. Moulana and all involved have already looked towards holding the seminar again next year and how to build on this year’s seminar.
