Eid Messages from British leaders

Eid is a time for family and friends; and
for prayers, contemplation and reflection

Dr. Mozammel Haque


It is very good news that the month of Ramadan is completed this year in 30 days. It’s my pleasure to extend my Eid Mubarak and good wishes to all my Muslim brothers and sisters all over the world on the occasion of the celebration of the Eid after the conclusion of fasting in the blessed month of Ramadan. I pray to Almighty Allah for all the benefits and the rewards. I am in the Haram and I would like to pray to Allah the Almighty for myself and for you all, May Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala accept our fasting, our prayers, our worship and all our good deeds done in the blessed month of Ramadan.

On the occasion of Eid Al-Fitr, the British Prime Minister, Mr. David Cameron, M.P. sent his warmest best wishes to celebrate the end of the Holy month of Ramadan and the start of Eid-ul-Fitr. In his message, he said, “As families, friends and communities come together around the United Kingdom to celebrate the end of the Holy month of Ramadan and the start of Eid- ul-Fitr I want to send you all my warmest best wishes.”

Eid is a time for celebration but also a time
for contemplation, British Prime Minister
“Eid is a special time, a time for celebration but also a time for contemplation,” said British Prime Minister and added, “The terrible scenes of devastation in Pakistan have shocked us all. I am hugely impressed by how we in the UK have responded to this tragedy, with communities up and down the country coming together to mobilise support.”

Mr. Cameron also said, “As Eid begins we should enjoy this very special time but our thoughts will of course turn to those less fortunate. Eid Mubarak.”

British Foreign Secretary hopes a happy,
peaceful and prosperous Eid
The British Foreign Secretary, Mr. William Hague, M.P. issued Eid-ul-Fitr message on 08 September, 2010, saying, “I’m delighted to send my very best wishes to you and your families in Britain and around the world as you celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr and the end of the holy month of Ramadan.”

Mr. Hague also said, “At this time of celebration but also of remembrance we, of course, must have first in our minds the so many people in Pakistan and India whose homes and livelihoods have been stricken by the terrible floods who, of course, we’re trying to help in every way that we can.”

He concluded his Eid message by saying: “And so I say to Muslims all over the world that I hope you have a happy, peaceful and prosperous Eid. Eid Mubarak.”

Message of compassion, giving and justice is strong
in Islamic faith, British Communities Secretary
The British Communities Secretary Mr. Eric Pickles also wishes all Muslims in the UK “Eid Mubarak.” Mr Pickles said: “The message of compassion, giving and justice is strong in the Islamic faith. And this period of Ramadan and Eid, in particular, inspires Muslims to focus more on others than themselves and think about those who are less fortunate.

“I wish to join you in celebrating the Eid al Fitr festival after a long, hard month of fasting during Ramadan.

“The principles and actions demonstrated during this time - of empathy, generosity and concern for the welfare of others - can be an inspiration to everyone, irrespective of faith.

Mr. Pickles also mentioned, “I, and my fellow ministers in Government, recognise and commend the huge contributions Muslims have made and continue to make to enrich British society.

“From now, everyone - Muslims and non-Muslims alike - will have a part to play in creating the Big Society, in which people come together, think about what they can offer others and start to mould their own communities and neighbourhoods.

Mr Pickles concluded by saying, “Eid is a time for family and friends; and for prayer, contemplation and reflection. As British Muslim communities across the United Kingdom enjoy their Eid celebrations, may I take this opportunity to wish you a peaceful and blessed Eid. Eid Mubarak!”

Eid Messages from African leaders

Be patient, unite and act for peace

Eid Messages from African leaders

Dr. Mozammel Haque

It is very good news that the month of Ramadan is completed this year in 30 days. It’s my pleasure to extend my Eid Mubarak and good wishes to all my Muslim brothers and sisters all over the world on the occasion of the celebration of the Eid after the conclusion of fasting in the blessed month of Ramadan. I pray to Almighty Allah for all the benefits and the rewards. I am in the Haram and I would like to pray to Allah the Almighty for myself and for you all, May Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala accept our fasting, our prayers, our worship and all our good deeds done in the blessed month of Ramadan.

As soon as the authorities declared after the Maghreb prayer on Thursday evening that the Eid-ul-Fitr will be celebrated on Friday, the 10th of September, I met some of the African dignitaries with whom I have been performing fasting, prayers, Iftars, Taraweeeh and Qiyam al-Lail behind the Imam at the Masjid al-Haram duringr the month of Ramadan, particularly the last ten days, I enquired about their Eid Messages for the Muslim brothers and sisters throughout the world.

I interviewed Senator Muniruddin Adekunle Muse from the Lagos State of Nigeria, who is a Member of the Upper House of the National Assembly of Nigeria, about his Eid Message. He said: “We are in Makkah right now and the purpose of coming here is to perform the Umrah. And Umrah, as everybody knows as a Muslim, is a kind of purification. So we are here on the call of Allah and pray to Allah for peace and to enable Islam to continue to grow. I appeal to all the Muslims to be patient about what is going on against us in the world. I wish that everybody, all Muslims, should continue to pray fervently to Allah to enable us and Islam to grow from strength to strength.”

I also interviewed former Governor of the Sokoto State of Nigeria, Attahiru Bafarawa, who said, “My message to the Muslim community of the world is: I want to congratulate them for the Eid and want to advise them to unite and to bring peace to the world. As a Muslim let us show good example and show the difference and the other way the religious people can make. Our Islam is for peace and therefore acts together and looks for peace collectively to put this world forward.”

Mr. Attahiru Bafarawa, the former Governor of the Sokoto State of Nigeria, it is learnt, has bright prospects to be, Insha Allah, the next President of Nigeria.

Former commissioner of works of the Lagos State of Nigeria, Abdur Rauf Aregbesola, who will be contesting as Governor of Osun State of Nigeria in the coming elections in April 2011, sent Eid messages to the Muslims throughout the world. He said: “It’s my pleasure to extend my Eid felicitations and good wishes to all our Muslim brothers and sisters all over the world on the conclusion of fasting of the month of Ramadan and as we are looking forward for the celebration of the Eid. I pray that the Almighty Allah will give us all the benefits and rewards of the month and the prayers exercised. I am in the Haram with Dr. Mozammel Haque and we, Muslims, here of the belief that the desires of the Muslims for peace, the desire of the Muslims to that we banish poverty, misery, hunger and demonisation we try for us Muslim in collaboration with all the Muslims.”

Mr. Abdur Rauf Aregbesola, Mechanical Engineer by profession, was in the government of Nigeria as a functionary of state for the Lagos State of Nigeria for a period of eight years with the involvement of social development of people resources. Today he is planning to lead another State, Osun State, as a governor and supplicating Allah to support winning enjoying all the Muslims and all the good people of the world to join him in the prayer for the salvation of humanity.

Eid Mubarak to all of you from Masjid al-Haram Makkah

Happy Eid Mubarak from the
Masjid al-Haram in the Balad al-Ameen

Dr. Mozammel Haque

I, on behalf of the Islamic Cultural Centre, London, wish all of you a happy Eid Mubarak from the Masjid-al-Haram in the Balad al-Ameen.

The Saudi Royal Court announced on Thursday, the 9th of September quoting the Supreme Court that the Eid Al-Fitr would be celebrated in the country on Friday, the 10th of September, 2010 after completing 30 days of Ramadan. It said no one sighted the new Shawwal Crescent on Wednesday evening. Thus, the joyous Islamic festival Eid-ul-Fitre comes at the end of the month of Ramadan and it came this year 2010 on Friday, the 10th of September, throughout most of the countries. Muslim brothers and sisters are enjoying and celebrating their Eid on the same day in Saudi Arabia and the United Kingdom and other places.

It is very good news that the month of Ramadan is completed this year in 30 days. It’s my pleasure to extend my Eid Mubarak and good wishes to all my Muslim brothers and sisters all over the world on the occasion of the celebration of the Eid after the conclusion of fasting in the blessed month of Ramadan. I pray to Almighty Allah for all the benefits and the rewards. I am in the Haram and I would like to pray to Allah the Almighty for myself and for you all, May Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala accept our fasting, our prayers, our worship and all our good deeds done in the blessed month of Ramadan.

Eid Al-Fitr prayers were held on Friday morning at big mosques and vast grounds in Saudi Arabia. King Abdullah, senior princes and ministers including Second Deputy Premier and Minister of Interior Prince Naif joined Eid prayers at the Grand Mosque in Makkah, along with nearly 2.5 million faithful.

On the occasion of Eid Al-Fitr, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah and Crown Prince Sultan, deputy premier and minister of defense and aviation, have urged all Muslims to unite on the basis of the Qur’an and Sunnah.

In a joint Eid Al-Fitr message to the nation, read on Saudi radio and television by Culture and Information Minister Abdul Aziz Khoja, King Abdullah and Prince Sultan reminded those Muslims who are better-off to sympathize with and support their less fortunate brothers.

Eid Message from the British Prime Minister
The British Prime Minister, Mr. David Cameron, M.P. send his warmest best wishes to celebrate the end of the Holy month of Ramadan and the start of Eid-ul-Fitr. In his message, he said, “As families, friends and communities come together around the United Kingdom to celebrate the end of the Holy month of Ramadan and the start of Eid- ul-Fitr I want to send you all my warmest best wishes.”

“Eid is a special time, a time for celebration but also a time for contemplation,” said British Prime Minister and added, “The terrible scenes of devastation in Pakistan have shocked us all. I am hugely impressed by how we in the UK have responded to this tragedy, with communities up and down the country coming together to mobilise support.”

Mr. Cameron also said, “As Eid begins we should enjoy this very special time but our thoughts will of course turn to those less fortunate. Eid Mubarak.”

Eid ul Fitr Message from the British Foreign Secretary
On the occasion of the Eid-ul-Fitr, the British Foreign Secretary, Mr. William Hague, M.P. issued Eid-ul-Fitr message on 08 September, 2010, saying, “I’m delighted to send my very best wishes to you and your families in Britain and around the world as you celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr and the end of the holy month of Ramadan.”

Mr. Hague also said, “At this time of celebration but also of remembrance we, of course, must have first in our minds the so many people in Pakistan and India whose homes and livelihoods have been stricken by the terrible floods who, of course, we’re trying to help in every way that we can.”

He concluded his Eid message by saying: “And so I say to Muslims all over the world that I hope you have a happy, peaceful and prosperous Eid. Eid Mubarak.”

British Communities Secretary wishes all Muslims “Eid Mubarak”
The British Communities Secretary Mr. Eric Pickles has sent out a message on 9th September, 2010 to all Muslims in the UK as the holy month of Ramadan comes to an end.

Mr Pickles said: “The message of compassion, giving and justice is strong in the Islamic faith. And this period of Ramadan and Eid, in particular, inspires Muslims to focus more on others than themselves and think about those who are less fortunate.

“I wish to join you in celebrating the Eid al Fitr festival after a long, hard month of fasting during Ramadan.

“The principles and actions demonstrated during this time - of empathy, generosity and concern for the welfare of others - can be an inspiration to everyone, irrespective of faith.

Mr. Pickles also mentioned, “I, and my fellow ministers in Government, recognise and commend the huge contributions Muslims have made and continue to make to enrich British society.

“From now, everyone - Muslims and non-Muslims alike - will have a part to play in creating the Big Society, in which people come together, think about what they can offer others and start to mould their own communities and neighbourhoods.

Mr Pickles concluded by saying,“Eid is a time for family and friends; and for prayer, contemplation and reflection. As British Muslim communities across the United Kingdom enjoy their Eid celebrations, may I take this opportunity to wish you a peaceful and blessed Eid. Eid Mubarak!”

Eid Message from The Custodian of Two
Holy Mosques King Abdullah
Eid Al-Fitr prayers were held on Friday morning at big mosques and vast grounds. King Abdullah, senior princes and ministers including Second Deputy Premier and Minister of Interior Prince Naif joined Eid prayers at the Grand Mosque in Makkah, along with nearly 2.5 million faithful.

From Saudi Arabia, the King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, who prayed along with millions of Muslims at the Masjid al-Haram also issued Eid Message for the Muslims throughout the world on this auspicious occasion.

Close ranks to preserve unity, King Abdullah
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah and Crown Prince Sultan, deputy premier and minister of defense and aviation, on Thursday urged Muslims all over the world to stand united on the basis of the Qur’an and Sunnah.

In a joint Eid Al-Fitr message to the nation that was read on Saudi radio and television by Culture and Information Minister Abdul Aziz Khoja, King Abdullah and Prince Sultan also called upon rich Muslims to support and sympathize with their less fortunate brethren.

“We are now bidding farewell to the blessed month of Ramadan after the Almighty honoured us to fast and pray during the month. We hope we were successful in making use of the blessed days and nights to establish closer relations with God,” the message said.

King Abdullah and Crown Prince Sultan emphasized the importance of the fasting month of Ramadan. “This annual occasion offers Muslims a great opportunity for retrospection and self evaluation and strengthening their mental capabilities to engage in righteous activities.”

The King and the Crown Prince said: “The Eid days and its celebrations come for Muslims to support and sympathize with one another. The rich among them sympathizing with the poor and the big showing kindness toward the small enables all to love one another with clean hearts and peaceful minds.

King Abdullah and Prince Sultan expressed their hope that God would unify Muslim ranks who follow the Holy Qur’an and Sunnah. “May Allah unite Muslims on goodness, improve their condition and make them victorious over their enemies,” the message said.

Meanwhile, Prince Naif extended Eid greetings to the families of security officers who fell martyr while fighting terrorists and defending the Kingdom.

As soon as the authorities declared after the Maghreb prayer on Thursday evening that the Eid-ul-Fitr will be celebrated on Friday, the 10th of September, I met some of the foreign dignitaries with whom I have been performing fasting, prayers, Iftars, Taraweeeh and Qiyam al-Lail behind the Imam at the Masjid al-Haram for the month of Ramadan, particularly the last ten days, I enquired about their Eid Message for the Muslim brothers and sisters throughout the world.

Eid Message from Senator Muniruddin Adekunle Muse of Nigeria
I interviewed Senator Muniruddin Adekunle Muse from the Lagos State of Nigeria, who is a Member of the Upper House of the National Assembly of Nigeria, about his Eid Message. He said: “We are in Makkah right now and the purpose of coming here is to perform the Umrah. And Umrah, as everybody knows as a Muslim, is a kind of purification. So we are here on the call of Allah and pray to Allah for peace and to enable Islam to continue to grow. I appeal to all the Muslims to be patient about what is going on against us in the world. I wish that everybody, all Muslims, should continue to pray fervently to Allah to enable us and Islam to grow from strength to strength.”

Eid Message from former Governor of Sokoto state of Nigeria
I also interviewed former Governor of the Sokoto State of Nigeria, Attahiru Bafarawa, who said, “My message to the Muslim community of the world is: I want to congratulate them for the Eid and want to advise them to unite and to bring peace to the world. As a Muslim let us show good example and show the difference and the other way the religious people can make. Our Islam is for peace and therefore acts together and looks for peace collectively to put this world forward.”

Mr. Attahiru Bafarawa, the former Governor of the Sokoto State of Nigeria, it is learnt, has bright prospects to be, Insha Allah, the next President of Nigeria.

Former commissioner of works of the Lagos State of Nigeria
Former commissioner of works of the Lagos State of Nigeria, Abdur Rauf Aregbesola, who will be contesting as Governor of Osun State of Nigeria in the coming elections in April 2011, sent Eid messages to the Muslims throughout the world. He said: “It’s my pleasure to extend my Eid felicitations and good wishes to all our Muslim brothers and sisters all over the world on the conclusion of fasting of the month of Ramadan and as we are looking forward for the celebration of the Eid. I pray that the Almighty Allah will give us all the benefits and rewards of the month and the prayers exercised. I am in the Haram with Dr. Mozammel Haque and we, Muslims, here of the belief that the desires of the Muslims for peace, the desire of the Muslims to that we banish poverty, misery, hunger and demonisation we try for us Muslim in collaboration with all the Muslims.”

Mr. Abdur Rauf Aregbesola, Mechanical Engineer by profession, was in the government of Nigeria as a functionary of state for the Lagos State of Nigeria for a period of eight years with the involvement of social development of people resources. Today he is planning to lead another State, Osun State, as a governor and supplicating Allah to support winning enjoying all the Muslims and all the good people of the world to join him in the prayer for the salvation of humanity.

The Blessed month of Ramadan in the Holy City of Makkah in 2010

The Blessed month of Ramadan
in the Holy City of Makkah in 2010

Dr. Mozammel Haque

Makkah al-Mukarramah: In Ramadan, the Holy city has taken a different colour. It is learnt that Saudi Arabia has issued for the first time many Umrah visas just in nine months. The Holy site of Makkah and Madina has attracted a record high of more than four million pilgrims from outside Saudi Arabia. Authorities have prepared to take a special measure in different areas, such as security, health, cleaning etc. But let us start first with the sighting of the Moon.

With the sighting of the Crescent moon of the holy month of Ramadan, the start of the holy month of Ramadan was marked by Sergeant Mastour Al-Nahari firing seven bullets from the “Ramadan Canon” situated on top of Al-Medf’a Mountain in Makkah. The firing of the canon is an annual event every Ramadan. Muslims all over the country gather together to congratulate each other and share their happiness, and to prepare for the voluntary work that will take place in almost every mosque in Saudi Arabia.

Just a few hours after the announcement of the sighting of the Crescent moon, both the Haramain in Makkah and Madina turned into beehive of activity as hundreds of thousands of visitors started pouring into the Grand Mosque in Makkah and the Prophet’s Mosque in Madina to attend the first night of Al-Taraweeh prayers.

During the holy month of Ramadan the holy city of Makkah comes alive in a way that does not happen in other places in the country. It is a city that does not sleep during this time. Makkah’s people start preparing for this special time during the last week of Sha’ban.

Iftar and Suhour
The start of Iftar and Suhour is marked by the firing of the canons. The canons all over the country are shot when the sun sets and at breakfast time to coincide with the Adhan. In addition two capsules are shot at 2 A.M. to inform people in Makkah to take their Suhoor and before the dawn Adhan another two capsules are shot marking the end of Suhoor time. Each bullet contains 1.5 kg of ammunition powder.

Makkah’s people prepare food for Ramadan like vegetables, sambosa and sweets. In the old days, soup, beans and sambosa were the main dishes for breaking the fast in Ramadan. Sobia has been the favorite drink of Makkah’s people throughout the years. The sweets are the favorites of Makkah’s people. The Suhoor table was not complete without sweets such as muhallabia, al-almasia, and kuchaf al-zabib. For Iftar, Makkah’s people cooked vegetables or meat in various forms such as kabob.

Multicultural gathering of millions at Iftar
What a wonderful scene! Millions of people, men, women, children, young and old, black and white, of different cultural backgrounds of all the continents, almost of all the countries, are united under one platform, within the precincts of Masjid al-Haram in Makkah, inside and outside, sitting with delicious food in front of them, waiting for the call to break the fast. Not a single person, boys or girls, men or women, did touch the food to eat without the permission of Allah the Almighty. What a wonderful scene of discipline! What a marvelous sight of belief and faith! In Islam there is no distinction, whether you are poor or rich, black or white, because all people are the same in the eyes of God. This is the philosophy reflected when millions of people gathered together inside and outside of Masjid al-Haram in Makkah in the evening of every day of the blessed month of Ramadan to break their fast.

It’s a crowd of disciplined, faithful, God-fearing people, who are united, not to show their strength of power, but to show and demonstrate the humbleness, humility, commitment and dedication to abide by the Orders of the Creator, Allah the Almighty. There is no arrogance, no haughtiness.

Even in the women’s pockets of the gathering, females of different cultural backgrounds of various countries, wearing Hijabs of different shades, colours and styles, but all are showing their modesty in dress and behavour, no vulgarity, no indecency and rudeness.

Taraweeh
There are twenty rak’ats prayed in Taraweeh in Haramain. In the Masjid al-Haram in Makkah, four Imams, such as Sheikh Abdur Rahman al-Sudais, Sheikh Saud al-Shuraim, Sheikh Maher al-Mu’aqily and Sheikh Abdullah al-Johani led the Taraweeh prayers. The first ten rak’at prayers are led by one imam and the second ten rak’at Taraweeh are led by another Imam.

Qiyam al-Lail
The Qiyam al-Lail prayers (night prayer) of the last ten nights have already started with the first chapter of the Holy Qur’an. The ten rak'ats Qiyam al-Lail prayers led by two Imams, first six rak’ats by Sheikh Saud al-Shuraim and the second four rak’ats by Sheikh Abdur Rahman al-Sudais who also made dua (supplication) after the Bitr prayer.

Friday prayer
Last Friday, on 27 August, 2010, over two million people offered Jumah prayers in the Grand Mosque in Makkah and the Prophet’s Mosque in Madina. At the Prophet’s Mosque, more than half a million worshippers performed Friday prayer. Here the authorities are introducing a set of integrated services with the efforts of about 15,000 cadres from security bodies.

I’tikaf
There is I’tikaf in the last ten days. 40,000 Mutakifs are expected by the Prophet’s Mosque Affairs, to be sitting in seclusion (I’tikaf) in Haram for the rest of holy month. The authorities said a program for Mutakifs has been completed.

Preparation of Haram for Ramadan
Last Thursday 26th of August 2010 International Airport received 39 international flights carrying tens of thousands of visitors who are being offered round-the-clock medical services through 10 health facilities. The authorities have drawn up integrated plans to provide the highest standard of services to Umrah pilgrims so that they can perform their rituals in ease and comfort. Over 50,000 security officers from various agencies and from the General Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques, Makkah Mayoralty and other government bodies have been deployed to ensure safety and security for up to 1.5 million visitors and pilgrims to the holy city during Ramadan.

Healthcare
An intensive healthcare systems plan was in place at the Grand Mosque for the millions of pilgrims coming here during Ramadan. Five dispensaries inside the Grand Mosque have been fully equipped to offer full medical services. Health centres have been established in the Haram. There are five health centers on the second floor of the Holy Haram which provides medical services all day. The centers are located on lower Bab Ajyad, the upper Bab Ajyad, Gate 94 in the new expansion, Gate 64 at King Fahd Expansion and Bab Al-Nadwa. These centers provide first aid and emergency services in addition to 29 permanent health centers in different parts of the holy city including those around the Grand Mosque to offer prompt medical services to pilgrims.

Clean-up
The Makkah Mayoralty has assigned 8,500 cleaners with 810 cleaning machines and equipment for clean-up operations. There are also seven temporary stations for the collection of waste and garbage to keep the holy city clean around the clock.

Women team
For the first time, the Ministry of Health in collaboration with the authorities at the Holy Haram has teams of women who will be available to help critically-ill women pilgrims at the Mosque’s health centers.

Women officials
The General Presidency of Two Holy Mosques Affairs has appointed 300 women officials to cope with the increasing number of women pilgrims and visitors to the Grand Mosque in Ramadan. They instruct the visitors on how the visitors should conduct themselves in the mosque. They also take the women entering the mosque to the place reserved for women.

151 women guides were working in four shifts at various locations in the mosque including the courtyards. They checked the women visitors at the gates both day and night. While 20 guides supervised the cleaning operations in the women’s area including the toilets in two shifts, 10 guides took care of the copies of the Holy Qur’an kept in the women’s section. Another 20 guides worked in the courtyards to see that women did not pray on passages and walkways, it is reported.

Makkah Clock
"The Makkah Clock started with the order of King Abdullah ... one minute after midnight on the first day of the holy month of Ramadan," the Saudi Press Agency said. A giant clock on a skyscraper in Islam's holiest city Makkah began ticking on Wednesday, 11th of August, 2010, at the start of the fasting month of Ramadan, amid hopes it will become the Muslim world's official timekeeper. The Makkah Clock, which Riyadh says is the world's largest, has four faces measuring 43 meters in diameter. It sits 400 meters up what will be the world's second-tallest skyscraper and largest hotel, overlooking the city's Holy Grand Mosque, which Muslims around the world turn to five times a day for prayer. Over 90 million pieces of colored glass mosaic embellish the sides of the clock, which has four faces each bearing a large inscription of the name "Allah". It is visible from all corners of the city, the state news agency said.

The clock is positioned on a 601-meter tower, which will become the second tallest inhabited building in the world when it is completed in three months' time.

The clock tower is the landmark feature of the seven-tower King Abdulaziz Endowment hotel complex, being built by the Saudi Binladin Group, which will have the largest floor area of any building in the world when it is complete. Local media have said the clock tower project cost $3 billion. Around 2 million Muslims visit the holy city each year for the annual Hajj pilgrimage, a once-in-a-lifetime requirement for able-bodied Muslims, and 3.5 million pilgrims visit Makkah at other times of the year.

Makkah al-Mukarramah
5th September 2010