Haj Galleries

Chapter 6 - Muzdalifa : After Arafat, the Hajis head to the plains of Muzdalifa. They spend the night there and collect small pea sized stones to throw at pillars representing the Shaytan (Devil). Muzdalifa is the great equalizer. From CEO's to bricklayers, everyone has a 6'x2'portion of the desert without cover or protection. This year, our group was caught in a huge traffic jam and we camped right on the road. At midnight we were woken by the the bus behind us slowly nudging forward to leave Muzdalifa since there are some people that believe they only have to stay till midnight if they have elderly. This forced us to leave too and created some altercations with the other movers.

Chapter 6 - Muzdalifa

After Arafat, the Hajis head to the plains of Muzdalifa. They spend t ...

Updated: Jan 19, 2006 8:08am PST

Chapter 7 - Jamarat : This area has the three walls representing the small, medium and large shaytans (devil). The hajis throw seven small pea-sized pebbles at each to keep from going astray. This area is well known for accidents every year. This year 350 people lost their lives and a thousand were injured in a crush when too many people converged at one time. There is little or no direction from Saudi security forces and you see scattered few here and there. Our group leader was very good at getting us into the area when it was least crowded so even the elderly got to the edge of the pit.

Chapter 7 - Jamarat

This area has the three walls representing the small, medium and large ...

Updated: Jan 18, 2006 9:35pm PST

Chapter 1- The Journey Begins : The journey began at our dorstep, then to JFK, a 10 hour flight to Amman, a short 7 hour layover and then a plane ride to Medina. This is when we began to make the frienships with our fellow travellers ad future Hajis.

Chapter 1- The Journey Begins

The journey began at our dorstep, then to JFK, a 10 hour flight to Amm ...

Updated: Jan 18, 2006 7:57pm PST

Chapter 5 - Arafat : One day in Arafat is compulsory for all Hajis. This day is spend in repentence and you see people everywhere with their arms raised in prayer asking for forgiveness. The Prophet gave his last sermon from the hill in Arafat. At sunset everyone moves to the plains of Muzdalifa.

Chapter 5 - Arafat

One day in Arafat is compulsory for all Hajis. This day is spend in r ...

Updated: Jan 18, 2006 12:22pm PST

Chapter 4 - Mina : For several days we camped at Mina, about 4-5 miles outside of Makkah where the time is spent in prayer. The Mina valley is filled with the large official air conditioned tents as well as thousands of unofficial tents and people simply camping on the streets. There are people everywhere, selling things, praying, meditating, perched on the hills. Our camp was next to the Jamarat where you go to stone the Shaytan (devil). It was never easy to negotiate the two hundred yards, and we always went in a group.

Chapter 4 - Mina

For several days we camped at Mina, about 4-5 miles outside of Makkah ...

Updated: Jan 17, 2006 8:55pm PST

Chapter 3 - Makkah : By going to Makkah, the pilgrims move to the actual Haj phase. Usually the first step is to do "Umrah" or the lesser pilgrimage. You have to get into your Ihram which mean two pieces of unstitched white cloth for men and daily clothes for women. When in Mekkah, you have to go around the Kaaba seven times as well as going between the hills of Safa and Marwa seven times.

Chapter 3 - Makkah

By going to Makkah, the pilgrims move to the actual Haj phase. Usuall ...

Updated: Jan 16, 2006 7:40pm PST

Chapter 2 - Medinah : Our first stop was at the city of Medinah, where the Prophet migrated after facing great hostility in Makkah to his message. The center of town is the Prophet's Mosque, Masjid Nabvi. We were in Hotel Movenpick which was steps away from it. The people in Medina were very friendly the masjid was a perfect place for quite reflection and prayer.

Chapter 2 - Medinah

Our first stop was at the city of Medinah, where the Prophet migrated ...

Updated: Jan 15, 2006 9:01pm PST

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