Al Noor’s Hajj Programme

The Hajj is a pilgrimage to Mecca (Makkah). It is the largest annual pilgrimage in the world, and is the fifth pillar of Islam, an obligation that must be carried out at least once in their lifetime by every able-bodied Muslim who can afford to do so. The Hajj is a demonstration of the solidarity of the Muslim people, and their submission to Allah. The pilgrimage occurs from the 7th to 10th day of Dhu al-Hijjah, the 12th month of the Islamic calendar. Because the Islamic calendar is a lunar calendar, eleven days shorter than the Gregorian calendar used in the western world, the Gregorian date of the Hajj changes from year to year. In 2007, the Hajj was from December 17-21 in 2008 from December 6-10, and in 2009 will be November 25-29. Ihram is the name given to the special state in which Muslims live whilst on the pilgrimage.

The Hajj is associated with the life of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Pilgrims join processions of hundreds of thousands of people, who simultaneously converge on Mecca for the week of the Hajj, and perform a series of rituals. Each person walks counter-clockwise seven times about the Kabah, the cube-shaped building which acts as the Muslim direction of prayer, kisses the Black Stone in the corner of the Kaaba, runs back and forth between the hills of Al-Safa and Al-Marwah, drinks from the Zamzam Well, goes to the plains of Mount Arafat to stand in vigil, and throws stones in a ritual Stoning of the Devil. The pilgrims then shave their heads, perform a ritual of animal sacrifice, and celebrate the three day global festival of Eid al-Adha.

For the last 4 years we have established a program of sending people for Hajj. In 2007, Alhamdulilah we have sent 11 people and in 2008 we have sent 7 people to Hajj. Priority is given to those who honestly serve Al Noor, poor individuals whose honesty and dedication towards serving Islam has been tested and proven. They have come back renewed with eagerness and with the spirit to serve the Islamic community even more.

We believe the annual Hajj program brings back the spirit of social coexistence and understanding to further enrich the peaceful essence of the social fabric of Zanzibari society and promote peace and harmony amongst Muslims, and between Muslims and non-Muslims in the Zanzibar Islands.

Please donate to facilitate the Hajj of a very poor Muslim, one person for Hajj USD $3,200 or any partial sponsorship accepted.