Performing Haj

Moaallims would arrange transport of pilgrims from Makkah to Mina however the pilgrim ought to have patience and wait for his/her bus for Mina on 7^th/8^th Zul Hijjah; there is sufficient time available to get to Mina.    Pilgrims should carry bare requirement of their clothes to Mina as the stay involves change of clothes on 10^th Zul Hijjah only. In Mina apart from the main dispensary, medical assistance to Indian pilgrims is available in their camps at Mina.

Sacred Sites of Mashaer

        In Mina the Pilgrims are lodged in tents according to their Maktabs. They are transported from Makkah to Mina by buses arranged by the Maktabs. The space per pilgrim in the tents in Mina is only 1.15 sq m. This is so because the valley of Mina is small and is girdled by hills on all sides. The journeys from Makkah to Mina, from Mina to Arafat, from Arafat to Muzdalifa, from Muzdalifa to Mina and from Mina to Makkah tends to be very disorganized as the buses have to do two trips and many pilgrims do not have the patience to wait for the buses that the Moallim arranges for them.  Some pilgrims prefer to walk from Makkah to Mina, which is 6 kms, through the covered walk-way.  From Mina to Arafat there is no covered walk-way. Mina ends where Muzdalifa begins.  A little after Muzdalifa ends, Arafat begins. The three Haj regions are contiguous and in a straight direction.  It has been noticed that from Makkah to Mina, the pilgrims are by and large moved smoothly by the Moallims.  Similarly, movement from Mina to Arafat, even though chaotic, still delivers.  The problem may be in the return journey.  Pilgrims must not panic for in their movement from Arafat to Muzdalifa.  Remember that pilgrims are to leave Arafat only after the Magrib Azaan but have to say Magrib prayers combined with Isha only on reaching Muzdalifa, however long it takes.  It might take 6-8 hours to cover the very short distance of 5-6 kms from Arafat to Muzdalifa by the buses.  The Saudi authorities have constructed a long pedestrian walkway from Arafat to Muzdalifa.  Strong and able-bodies Hajis could prefer walking from Arafat to Mina instead of taking a bus.  They could reach Muzdalifa in less than an hour. At Muzdalifa, queues at the toilets can extend upto two hours.  As Muzdalifa and Mina are contiguous, it may be advisable that pilgrims who are in a good state of health could walk over to their camps in Mina after the Fajr prayer on 10^th Zul Hijjah and then do the rituals without waiting for the buses which could be spared to transport the elderly and women pilgrims. The buses used by Indian pilgrims are air-conditioned.

The Indian consulate sets up an office at Mina also along with full fledged dispensary.  Indian Haj Mission officials are spread around the whole of mina area and can easily be identified by the blue jacket and INDIA/AL HIND markings. Also some of the officials may be themselves performing Haj but they would be wearing scarves bearing INDIA and AL HIND markings.  Some would be carrying Indian flags also with them.

            The six Moassasas in Makkah have separate colours. The colour of the South Asian Mossassa is yellow. In Mina and Arafat the sign boards of Maktabs in Mina will be yellow.  Location of camps in Arafat will be marked by tall yellow pillars. The South Asian Establishment called the Janoob Asia Moassasa is the largest among the Moassasas and looks after the South Asian pilgrims including Indian. Its flag post yellow pillars are visible from a distance. The pilgrims must always carry identification cards and, if lost, ask the way for "Moassassa Junoob Asia" or Indian Haj Office or "Baith Al Haj Al Hindiya". They must always remember the number of Moallim's Maktab, for example, if allotted to Maktab 12, then both in Mina and Arafat, they must always ask for the way to Maktab 12. In Arafat, pilgrims should pray at their own camp. If they intend to go to Jibl-e-Rahma or Masjid-e-Nimra, they should study their camp location and direction carefully before leaving. Otherwise, there is a distinct possibility that they will get lost. In case they are actually lost in Arafat or Muzdalifa or Mina, they should ask people the way rather than panic. They must carry sufficient money to take private buses in case they miss their own bus.  It is better to have 10 Riyal notes for this purpose. If actually lost in Arafat and unable to find way in 2-3 hours, it is advisable to take a private vehicle to reach Muzdalifa by paying 10-20 Riyals. Alternatively, the pilgrims can walk using the pedestrian walkway. In Muzdalifa, pilgrims can pray and then take any private vehicle to Mina or walk to Mina the next day after Fajr. In Mina, it is easier to find the camp as the Indian camp is situated on two main roads called the Souq-al-Arab and the Share-Johara.

      Though all pilgrims are accommodated in fire-proof tents at Mina, yet the possibility of small fires due to negligence cannot be ruled out. There is need to be very careful during stay in Mina. Exit points in the camp should be identified, for use in case of emergency. Instructions on the fire extinguishers should be carefully read just in case these are to be utilized in an emergency.

      There are two levels from which pilgrims can perform Rami (stoning) Jamarat.  Pilgrims should only go to the Jamarat at times allocated for them by the Saudi authorities. Indian Haj officials will come and escort them to the Jamarat at these timings along with officials of the Maktab. In this manner stoning can be done with ease. Pilgrims should never get stuck in a crowd that is not moving or that is observably stationary. They should choose the ground or the top level for stoning as per the assessment of the crowd. Old, infirm, children and women, who are not able to withstand the strain, can depute someone else to stone on their behalf. If it is found that Jamarat site is overcrowded or the movement there is very slow, it is better to turn back immediately and return to the camp.  Pilgrims can go back for the ritual at a better time. One must also be very alert to the fact that some pilgrims of certain nationalities come in bunches and batches and push their way through. Pilgrims should not get into their way or try to stop them as one could get harmed in the process.   It will be more sensible to avoid their path and wait till they get out. Do not try to go against the direction of the crowd. Move with the crowd. Do not lose temper and do not fight with others. It is advisable to move in groups from the camps with the assistance of the Khadim ul Hujaj. The Ministry of Haj provides schedules for pilgrims according to which they will permit movement for the Jamarat. This will assist pilgrims in finding out the best time for stoning at Jamarat. The Indian Haj Office in Mina organizes Jamarat movement as per the time table assigned by the Saudi Haj authorities; Indian pilgrims should follow this plan as the pilgrim groups are accompanied by a full team of doctors, paramedics, administrative staff etc to ensure safety. 

      Despite the expansion of the Jamarat bridge in the recent years, stampedes do occur quite frequently resulting in avoidable casualties among the pilgrims.  Last year’s unfortunate stampede led to the sad demise of over 450 Hajis, including 62 from India. Proper orientation of Hajis prior to the departure from India, adherence to the schedules given by the Moallims for Rami and following the concessions given in Islam are pre-requisites for an incident-free Rami at the Jamarat. 

       An important factor that plays a crucial and direct role in the “choking” at the Jamarat Bridge is the rigid belief of some religious scholars, mostly from the Indian sub-continent, that stoning of the Jamarat has to be carried out during specific timings on the three days.  This leads to unwanted and avoidable congestion at the Jamarat Bridge which could, at times, prove to be fatal.         Most Ulemas of the Middle East dissuade pilgrims from exposing themselves to danger and have declared that Rami could lawfully be done at any time during the days of Tashreek.

     Islam does not enjoin to suffer bodily harm or risking life. There are always options available and hence there is no need to hurry and in the process get harmed.

       The symbols of human submission and Divine Mercy prefigure in the Haj ritual and the Holy Quran states that He “...has placed no difficulties on you in matters concerning religion" (Al-Hajj 22:78).  Further reminders abound. In another verse it is stated: “Allah desires for you ease; He does not desire hardship for you” (Al-Baqarah 2:185).  Thus, it is incumbent upon religious scholars to ponder seriously over this issue and decide whether it is common sense to let rituals take precedence over human life?

The following points to be re-emphasised to the Pilgrims regarding Rami Jamarat:

      From the forthcoming Haj (1427 H), the Saudi authorities would be fixing three sets of timings for the final departure of pilgrims from Mina: (i) afternoon of 12^th Zil-Hajj, (ii) morning of 13^th Zil-Hajj and (iii) afternoon of  13^th Zil-Hajj.  The Pilgrims should follow the instructions given by their Moallims regarding their final departure from Mina.  These arrangements are being made to avoid congestion and stampedes at the Jamarat bridge, especially on the 12^th of Zil-Hajj.