Hajj 2019 - Over 20-strong Muslim delegation in Mecca for pilgrimage |10 August 2019

Six of the seven members of the delegation from Seychelles who have been invited as special guests of King Salman bin Abdul Aziz of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

For the first time in the history of Seychelles, a delegation of 23 Muslims – 16 men and seven women – have left the country for the holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia, to perform the annual pilgrimage Hajj, one of the world’s largest religious gatherings with over two million people coming from every corner of the world.

Hajj is the fifth pillar of Islam and all Muslims are obligated to make a pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca at least once in their lifetime if they have the means. Hajj takes place in the month of Dhul-Hijjah, the 12th month of the lunar Islamic calendar. It commemorates the life and trials of the Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) who was ready to sacrifice his son in obedience to God’s command. Muslims believe that Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) built the first house of worship to the one God, the Ka’bah, which is also the focal point of the Hajj and the direction towards which Muslims pray throughout the year.

This year the pilgrimage began yesterday, Friday August 9, with the pilgrims arriving and camping at Mina. Today, Saturday, being the day of Arafah is the real climax of the Hajj as pilgrims move with sunrise from Mina to the plain of Arafah where they spend the entire day in earnest supplication and devotion. It is a time of tears and seeking God’s forgiveness. They also perform a ritual known as Ramy al-Jamarat, throwing stones at stone pillars, which symbolises rejecting Satan’s temptations. At sunset, the pilgrims move and camp at Muzdalifa which is a site between Mina and Arafah. It is highly recommended for Muslims around the world to fast on the day of Arafah in spiritual union with the pilgrims who are standing on the plain of Arafah seeking God’s forgiveness.

This is followed by the sacrificing of cattles and others, by the pilgrims and those not performing Hajj, which marks the culmination of the pilgrimage and the beginning of the three-day celebration of Eid ul-Adha (Festival of the Sacrifice). Eid ul-Adha will this year be celebrated tomorrow, Sunday August 11. In Seychelles it will be marked by prayers on Mahé, Praslin, La Digue and other islands, for members of the Muslim community (see accompanying poster).

The ultimate goal of Hajj is for Muslims to seek forgiveness for their sins. The pilgrims descending on Mecca, from all over the world, wearing only two simple pieces of white garment, humble and penitent, symbolises the remarkable diversity and unity of Muslims. It also demonstrates their equality before God. The Prophet Muhammad said that a person who performs Hajj properly “will return as a newly born baby (free of all sins)”.

Performing Hajj is viewed as a great honour in the eyes of Muslims and this year seven members of the delegation from Seychelles have been invited as special guests of King Salman bin Abdul Aziz of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.