Hadj

Muslims pray for salvation as Hajj draws near



MECCA (AP) — Pilgrims, their eyes welling with tears, circled the Kaaba, raising their hands heavenward in prayer Saturday, asking for God's bounty and forgiveness.
Millions of Muslim faithful, the men in white robes and women covered head to toe, were in Islam's holiest city to prepare for the Hajj, the faith's most sacred ritual, which begins Sunday. They clutched prayer books and recited the Holy Koran, asking salvation during their visit to the Baitullah, or House of God. For many Muslims, the Hajj — one of Islam's five pillars — signals their spiritual rebirth and the burial of past transgressions.
The pilgrimage is required of all Muslims who are able, as is the profession that there is only one God and Mohammad is His prophet, prayer five times daily, the giving of alms and fasting during the Holy Month of Ramadan.
Facing the Kaaba, Zeinab Abdouazizi from a Bangladesh raised her voice in prayer: "Oh Allah, give me health and strength so that I can raise my children and make them stand on their feet. I beg you to give similar strength to my husband and make his trade bloom and make my children good Muslims and obedient."
Rabee'a Assuity, an Egyptian government clerk, was candid and clear. Resting a moment under the scorching sun, he paused and prayed: "Oh, God you know best what I need, an apartment for my son Adel so he can get married and a job for my daughter Samiha." Nearby, Ahmed Zain from Lebanon spoke into his cellphone asking his wife at home what he should pray for her.
After listening, he could be heard to say "I prayed for that. What else do you want?" It was not unusual to hear pilgrims issuing prayers brought from distant lands on behalf of friends. The faithful believe the Almighty is especially close and receptive in the House of God.
Abdi Berri Youssef, who lost his legs in the Somali civil war and whose son pushed him through the crowd in a wheelchair, raised his hands and called out: "Oh, God of the whole world, I am defenceless, give me strength and endurance, nothing else." Daouwd Zeinalabidine, a Nigerian lawyer: "Oh Allah, my creator and my benefactor praise is for you. You are the one who deserves to be obeyed till the end. I ask you forgiveness and seek purity of my soul." He told a reporter he had also prayed for "peace for myself, for my country and for the whole world." In a corner of the vast, marbled-columned mosque, a group of Iraqis sought peace as well.
"Oh Allah, the God of all human all beings, bring peace and tranquility back to our country," the group responded after a prayer leader.
Like most Shiites pilgrims, Jawadi Azghar from Iran held the book of supplications, the Mafatih Al Jinan, or the "Keys of Paradises," as he prayed: "Oh God, you are the most generous. You answer the wishes of your obedient servant and never disappoint him. Whenever he knocks at your door you open it wide and bring him closer to you. Oh God, you forgive all the sinners who come asking mercy. How can I ask others for help when you are my guide? How can I forget you when you sit deep in my heart.
“I ask you to bestow all your bounty on me. I ask you to reward me with a conscience that assures my heart and clears my insight."
As he finished, he broke into tears.
In the Koran, God tells Muslims: "Pray to me, I listen to your needs." About two million pilgrims from around the world were expected to perform the rites of the Hajj, which begins Monday.
About 60,000 troops are at the ready to ensure everything runs smoothly, which they all-too-often haven't in recent decades.
Jordan Tmes 8/1/06