Muhammad Al-Misbahi and Abdullah Al-Dani Okaz/Saudi Gazette
JEDDAH – Religious scholars have stressed the necessity for pilgrims and worshippers to give way to the guests of the Islamic Solidarity Conference that will be held in Makkah on Ramadan 26-27. In order to prevent overcrowding, they called on them not to repeat Umrah or insist on only praying in the Grand Mosque. They said the residents of Makkah should cooperate with authorities and pray elsewhere within the boundaries of the Haram. One religious scholar said he does not perform Umrah in Ramadan so that he does not inconvenience others and expects the reward from Allah. He added that he gives the amount that he would have spent for Umrah in Ramadan as alms to the poor. Sheikh Abdul Rahman Al-Sudais, chief of the General Presidency of the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques, described the call for the extraordinary Islamic summit as an attempt by King Abdullah, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, to serve Islam and Muslims and unify their ranks and counter the hazards of division and sedition. He added that the call for Islamic solidarity gives a glimmer of hope and is a remedy for the Ummah's problems. Muhammad Al-Aqla, President of the Islamic University, called on all to cooperate in making the summit a success. He mentioned the summits of 1980 and 2005 during the eras of King Khaled and King Abdullah respectively. Al-Aqla stressed, however, that this summit is different in its timing, as it will be held on two blessed nights, so it is hoped and expected of all, whether citizens or officials, to cooperate and realize the importance of the occasion and the results aspired by the peoples of the Muslim world. Saud Al-Fenaisan, former Dean of the Faculty of Shariah at Imam Muhammad Bin Saud Islamic University, said the summit would tackle important Islamic issues. Therefore, the situation of the participants ought to be taken into consideration by giving way to them and avoiding praying in the Grand Mosque in Makkah. Al-Fenaisan said many Muslims come to the Haram to only perform prayers, as they have already performed Umrah rites earlier. He said such people cause crowding in the Grand Mosque and said that praying in other mosques of Makkah that lie within the boundaries of the Haram enables the worshipper to gain the same reward. Muhammad Al-Nejaimi, professor at the Higher Institute for the Judiciary, said the summit has come at an exceptional time and appealed to all to be considerate about the matter and not to repeat Umrah. “Dealing with the issues of Muslims is a general act of worship, but the Umrah is a personal act of worship.” Saleh Al-Lehaidan, special judicial consultant and scientific adviser for the International Mental Health Society for GCC countries, said the Islamic conference that King Abdullah called for has come after careful study and scrutiny. He said the Monarch's decision was farsighted, as the summit coincides with the holy month of Ramadan and in the holy land. “These will awaken the Ummah from the tribulations they are facing.” Awadh Al-Qarni, a Dawah worker, said people whose presence in Makkah is not necessary should instead give the amount that they would spend on Umrah as alms to the poor. “The number of Muslims is almost one billion and the space in Makkah is limited, so Makkah and the holy sites will always be crowded however small the number of Umrah and Haj pilgrims. There is also a fear that the Muslim who performs Umrah repeatedly might be committing a sin by causing inconvenience to others,” he said. “My family and I don't perform Umrah in Ramadan so as not to cause crowding or inconvenience for other Muslims and we expect the recompense for this from Allah,” he added.
