Hajj pilgrims urged to shun Western ways

March 16, 2000
Web posted at: 4:58 a.m. EST (0958 GMT)

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MINA, Saudi Arabia -- Islam's rallying cry of "God is Greatest" echoed Thursday as Muslim pilgrims threw pebbles at a pillar symbolizing the devil before going on to hear a sermon urging them to unite in shunning Western ways.

An estimated 2.1 million pilgrims made the Hajj to Mecca, coursing to Mount Arafat with prayer for forgiveness before the worshippers retired for the night at Muzdalifah.

On Thursday, the first day of Eid al-Adha, the Feast of Sacrifice, the faithful descended on Mina where each pilgrim brought seven pebbles to throw at a concrete pillar erected where Muslims believe the devil appeared to Abraham.

At the same time, sacrifice of some half a million cows, sheep and camels began in commemoration of God's test of Abraham, who Muslims believe was about to sacrifice his son but was allowed instead to kill a ram. The sacrificed animals, which cost pilgrims about $90 each, are to be fed to the needy in some 27 Muslim countries.

Sermon at the Mosque

From Mina the pilgrims went to the Grand Mosque at Mecca, where they circled seven times the cube-shaped Kaaba that Muslims around the world turn to when praying.

It was there that Sheikh Abdel Rahman al-Sudais, at times choking back tears of emotion, urged the world's Muslims to unite and shun Western traditions and materialism.

VIDEO CNN's Riz Khan shows what the pilgrims did Thursday. (March 16) Windows Media 28K 80K The Hajj brings men and woman together in the Muslim faith, as CNN's Rula Amin explains. Windows Media 28K 80K CNN's Riz Khan explains the Hajj. Windows Media 28K 80K     MESSAGE BOARD Religion today

Warning that "globalization" could lead to "Western domination of the Islamic nation," he called on God to bless Muslims and destroy the enemies of Islam.

"Oh God destroy the aggressors, the Zionists (Israelis)... Save al-Aqsa Mosque (in Jerusalem) from the claws of Zionists and Jews," he said.

Journey's next steps

Pilgrims who completed the stoning then cut their hair or shaved it completely to mark the end of ihram, which started at the beginning of the Hajj when they put on a seamless two-piece outfit. Women, with their hair covered, dress in modest clothes.

The pilgrims, staying in Mina the next two nights, will have to throw 21 pebbles on Friday and Saturday at three pillars symbolizing the devil before the Hajj is over.

The pilgrimage is one of five pillars of Islam. Every able Muslim must perform it at least once. The most difficult phase of the journey is said to be the ascent to Mount Arafat, where Muslims believe Prophet Mohammad gave his last sermon 14 centuries ago.

Hajj trouble-free so far

Saudi Arabia's King Fahd and Crown Prince Abdullah congratulated Muslims around the world on Eid in a joint address in which they expressed satisfaction with the so far trouble-free Hajj.

Saudi officials said the first day of the stoning ritual had proceeded peacefully despite the huge crowds at Jamraat, the scene of a stampede that killed 119 people in 1998.

Accommodations for the pilgrims in Mina include 43,000 air-conditioned, fireproof tents that were built specifically to avert repeat of a fire that killed more than 340 people in 1997.

Reuters contributed to this report.

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Islam - IslamiCity in Cyberspace
Al Hajj: The Hajj & Umrah Comprehensive Information Portal
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