MINA, Saudi Arabia: Almost 2.5 million Muslim pilgrims took part on Sunday (Aug 11) in the "stoning of the devil", the last major ritual of the annual haj pilgrimage that in previous years led to deadly stampedes.Carrying pebbles in the scorching heat, worshippers made their way across Mina Valley near Mecca in western Saudi Arabia to symbolically "humiliate" the devil.Under the watchful eyes of security forces, waves of pilgrims clad in white threw seven stones each at a pillar symbolising Satan."It is hot, I drink a lot of water and I am still hidden under my umbrella," said Jaker Akjar, a 48-year-old Indian pilgrim, sporting a henna-dyed beard.This was Akjar's first hajj, one of the five pillars of Islam that every Muslim is required to complete at least once in their lifetime if they are healthy enough and have the means to do so.Muslim tradition holds that pilgrims must throw seven stones each at a pillar representing Satan on the first day of Eid al-Adha, following two … [Read more...] about Muslim haj pilgrims perform Satan stoning ritual
Religious rituals of islam
Adly: Religious speaker issue should be settled with discretion
MALACCA: The Malacca government will call all parties concerned to settle the issue concerning independent religious speaker Wan Ji Wan Hussin through discussions instead of going through the courts, said Chief Minister Adly Zahari today. If any regulations had been contravened, the matter could be settled through discussions and negotiations, Adly told reporters at Masjid Al-Azim in Bukit Palah here after attending a sacrifice ritual in conjunction with Hari Raya Aidiladha. He was commenting on the arrest of Wan Ji on Aug 8 at the Malacca Islamic Religious Department (Jaim) office where he was asked to make a statement about his giving a dawn lecture at Masjid Tun Syed Ahmad Al-Haj in Bukit Beruang on July 14 without accreditation. Wan Ji has been released by the Malacca Syariah Court on a RM4,000 bail in one surety. Adly said religious education was an important matter and should not be politicised, adding that the process of accrediting religious speakers in the state would be … [Read more...] about Adly: Religious speaker issue should be settled with discretion
Muslims celebrate Aidiladha in the spirit of sacrifice
KUANTAN: Muslims throughout the country today began the Hari Raya Aidiladha celebrations by converging at mosques to perform Aidiladha prayers before proceeding with sacrificial rituals according to Islamic teachings. In PAHANG, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah and the Raja Permaisuri Agong, Tunku Hajah Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah performed their Aidiladha prayers at the Sultan Ahmad 1 State Mosque here today. Also joining the royal couple were the Regent of Pahang, Tengku Hassanal Ibrahim Alam Shah Pahang and other members of the royal family. They then joined thousands of Muslims to perform Aidiladha prayers which was officiated by Imam of the mosque Mohd Khalil Mohd Zari, while the sermon was delivered by the mosque’s khatib Datuk Badli Shah Alauddin. After the prayers, Sultan Abdullah spent time mingling with the congregation who lined up to meet and greet him personally. Sultan Abdullah and Tengku Hassanal later … [Read more...] about Muslims celebrate Aidiladha in the spirit of sacrifice
The long read: Nigeria’s War of the Land
Terminus: Thousands of cattle are trucked to Agege market in Lagos each week to meet spiralling demand for beef KADUNA (NIGERIA) - "Move! Move!" The herders cry, the packed crowd divides, and a vast column of cattle charges through the swirling dust, their long sharp horns swaying like a forest.Hundreds, possibly thousands, of beasts push their way forward, trampling the ground strewn with plastic bags.It is mid-morning but already the heat is blistering. The buyers have arrived, and the hard bargaining can begin.The scene is Agege market in Lagos -- the largest livestock trading hub in West Africa.Here, each day, 50 truckloads of livestock are disgorged into its maw to supply the 20 million inhabitants of Africa's biggest city.Nigeria has nearly 200 million mouths to feed, a figure expected to grow to almost 400 million by 2050.Going hand-in-hand with this population boom is a vast, expanding market for meat and milk. And that demand, in turn, is having invisible, but … [Read more...] about The long read: Nigeria’s War of the Land
Experience the magic of Dubai during Ramadan
From whimsical Arabian tents to sumptuous iftar (breaking of fast), Ramadan is a magical time in Dubai. With cultural activities taking place in its shopping malls, restaurants, hotels and public spaces during the Holy Month, there is no better time to get to know the city in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Here are the things to do and places to visit, according to Dubai Tourism. Learn about Ramadan at the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding (SMCCU) Located in Al Fahidi Historical District, SMCCU is a purpose-built cultural centre that offers travellers glimpses into the Emirati way of life. It was set up to educate visitors about Emirati culture, and with its motto Open Doors, Open Minds, everyone is invited to ask questions and participate in discussions. Tour the Jumeirah Mosque For six days a week, it welcomes visitors from all walks of life to join the morning tour around Dubai's cultural and religious landmark. Starting at 10am, guests can explore the mosque and … [Read more...] about Experience the magic of Dubai during Ramadan