Couple get ready for their first Hajj

HAJJ, which will see pilgrims leave for Saudi Arabia to undertake the holy journey to Makkah, starts next month.

The Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam and a once-in-a-lifetime duty for all able-bodied Muslims to perform if they can afford it. According to reports, more than a million pilgrims are expected to travel.

Nazir Malek, of Nazir Travel and Tours, said they have many Muslims joining Hajj for the first time.

Mohammed Hamid is one of them. He will be accompanied by his wife, Amina.

“The process of Hajj is not easy. In 2014, we put our names down to go on our pilgrimage. Our names were called in 2020 but due to the Covid-19 pandemic, we were unable to attend.

“It was a stressful period. We felt like we were losing our opportunity. We were also supposed to go in 2021 but I was hospitalised. Our time eventually came around again this year.”

Hamid said going for Hajj was important to him and his family.

“Hajj is something we all have to do. It is fundamental in Islam. You have to go for Hajj at least once in your lifetime, provided you have the means but somehow when you put your name down, God makes a way for you to go.”

The couple, from Musgrave, will leave on Sunday and return on July 3.

“When we are done with Hajj, we have to look within ourselves to make changes when we return home.”

According to islamonline.net, an accepted Hajj means a Hajj which Allah rewards with goodness, and Hajj is like that if no sin is mixed with it.