Hassan Cheruppa Saudi Gazette JEDDAH – Speakers at a seminar on Haj on Friday called for embracing the true spirit of Haj in disseminating its message of universal brotherhood as well as in fostering unity and solidarity among members of the community at a time when the Muslim Ummah is passing through a critical period. They underscored that Haj is supposed to enable pilgrims to become true ambassadors of the sublime Islamic values of humanity as well as to make endeavors to end sectarianism, fight social evils and effectively resist onslaught on Islam. Jeddah Keralite Goodwill Forum (Sauhruda Vichara Vedi) organized the seminar at the Jaliyat auditorium in the Old Airport area. This was for the first time different Muslim organizations from the southern Indian state of Kerala came under one banner. The Forum Chairman Mullaveettil Saleem presided over the function with General Convener Ismail Maritheri of King Abdulaziz University the moderator. In his speech, Saleem stressed the need to close ranks and work together for the common causes of the community. Presenting his paper on ‘History of Haj', Muhammad T.H. Darimi of Jeddah Islamic Center urged Muslims to follow the exemplary examples for the values of sacrifice and submission to God underlined in Haj. “Prophet Ibrahim was the perfect example for this, and the Haram and the holy sites are replete with their remarkable signs,” he said while noting that the rituals of Haj entail great effort and that would be made easier only through the energy generated from spirituality and purity of mind. Ahmed Kutty Madani of Indian Islahi Center spoke on the topic of “Haj and its universal message of humanity.” He said that the very name of Islam represents universal message of peace, and Haj, its fifth pillar, is an address to the entire mankind. He cited examples such as orbiting of stars in the galaxy, movement of protons and electrons in the nucleus of an atom, and circulation of blood in human's body, to underline the point that all these are moving in an anti-clockwise way similar to that of tawaf (circumambulation around the Holy Kaaba). “All these phenomena are telling examples of submission to God. Like in tawaf, what we see in all other rituals of Haj is also total submission to God with an unquenching thirst of spirituality of a believer in seeking refuge in God,” he said. Speaking on the topic of the “True spirit of Haj,” Abdul Shukoor Ali of Kerala Islamic Group said that the soul of all rituals of Haj lies in piety and sincere devotion to God. “Standing at Arafat, which symbolizes mahshara (gathering of humanity for trial after their death), is a rare opportunity for the pilgrim to put his soul on trial before coming for the final trial at mahshara. Supplication to God and putting trust on Him coupled with endeavors to earn virtues are inevitable for salvation,” he said, adding that each pilgrim must attain purity of soul and can leave for home as true ambassadors of Islam after Haj. In his speech on “Spirituality of Haj,” Musthafa Saadi of Marhaba Center said the pilgrims can attain purity of soul as represented in the purity of the white seamless dress they are wearing. He regretted the increasing trend of luxurious and sponsored Haj devoid of spirituality, and those pilgrims do not have the patience to bear even a single difficulty during Haj. Abdurahman Umari of Old Airport Jaliyat called for becoming true models of Islamic unity as represented by Haj. Hussein Baqawi Ponnad of Islamic Dawa Center urged Muslims to find out the presence of God in various phenomena in the universe and practice God's commands, especially those to foster universal brotherhood and humanity. Summing up the deliberations, the moderator Maritheri said Haj is a proclamation against all kinds of sectarianism, extremism and violence. “Through Haj, the pilgrims should renew their pledge to fight against social evils and imbibe energy to stand united in resisting the onslaught on Islam,” he said. Earlier, welcoming the gathering, V. P. Abubaker of Jeddah Islahi Center hailed the great initiative to bring together different Muslim organizations under one banner. Ebrahim Shamnad, media coordinator of the Forum, delivered the vote of thanks.
