Hajj Tips from South Africa, Part 1

Important pointers on taking care of one’s physical health–even down to the feet–come from Ammarah in South Africa:

If you are ill, get adequate treatment so that you can recover well before Hajj actually starts.   If you are not ill, make sure that you look after yourself so that you do not become ill, e.g., avoid coming too close to people who are ill, dress adequately so that you do not get cold or wet if it rains.  Rest your body as well as exercise your body to keep in peak condition.    Take special care of your skin and your feet.   Try out your footwear to make sure they fit.  Walk with them for a few days or all the time to “break” them in and allow your feet to become accustomed to the footwear. 

On one’s sprititual needs, Ammarah has this to say:

 

 

 

 

Spend ALL your time in Ibadaat.   The time in Mina is mainly for reflection, on your life so far and on Allah Ta’ala, on Zikr and reading appropriate parts of the Quran.    Not much physical effort is required except in getting to Mina.  You will, Insha Allah have enough time to rest.  

 

 

The Day of Arafat is the most important day of Hajj.  Use it to the maximum.   You may not get another chance.  Take full advantage of standing outside during Waquf to tell Allah Ta’ala how Great He is and to thank Him for all that He has done for you and your family and friends.

The rest of Ammarah’s article appears at Radio Islam.

 

Free Wifi Connections for Hajj

A plan was put into place last year to provide hajjis with free internet access.

Etihad Etisalat (Mobily) and Bayanat Al-Oula announced that they had setup 70 Wi-Fi access points in the holy sites for use by journalists and the general public….

All that users need to do is set the Wi-Fi card on their device to search for “Bayanat.” No extra settings, like an encryption key or an IP address. The connection sets itself up automatically, bringing mobile Internet connectivity into the hands of pilgrims, officials, journalists or any member of the public in the holy sites, who needs access to the Internet.

The full article is in the Arab News.

Hajj Security and Pickpockets

Hajjis have to take care to stay with their groups, help guard the belongs of the group, and guard their own personal property.  Part of hajj is the interminable delays in travel when some are inclined to become critical of the hajj group leaders, of the transportation providers, of Saudis or of other hajjis.  That frustrated energy is better spent in remember to dhikr and keep patience.  

That energy can also be turned to good use when, instead of being critical, the frustrated hajjis would turn their attention to helping protect the group.  They can look watch for any person or persons who seem to be too intent on the group’s luggage or  on weaving a path that brings them into direct contact with person in the hajj group.  Being vigilant anytime when the group is in public is important because the the hajjis may be targeted and victimized by pickpockets who are male, female or even children.

According to a recent study, 20.4 percent of pickpockets arrested in Makkah were women; they are employed by organizers to target female pilgrims. It is also pointed out that the majority of pickpockets — 46.5 percent — are from Egypt. Gangs also use children below 15 who steal both money and other valuables from pilgrims. The reports also showed that 31.3 percent of foreign pickpockets were linked to organized gangs. (Arab News )

Letting those who “know better” put their expertise to good use by providing an extra layer of security is  one way of relieving tensions in a hajj group and of increasing security at the same time.  The Arab News article about Saudi efforts to protect the safety of the hajjis is here.