FAITH + REASON POLITICAL SPAT LEAVES MANY SCRAMBLING TO GET TO MECCA
Hundreds of Calgary Muslims, intent on a once-in-their-lifetime pilgrimage to Mecca starting this weekend, have had those plans thrown into confusion by the current diplomatic spat between Canada and Saudi Arabia.
Every Muslim is expected to complete the hajj pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca at least once in his lifetime. It is one of the five sacred Pillars of Islam, but is also a commitment usually involving expensive air travel to Saudi Arabia and the task of finding suitable accommodation alongside a multitude of believers from all parts of the world. This year, five million people are expected to attend.
However, with the national Saudi airline — which provides the only direct link from Toronto to Jeddah — suddenly cancelling all flights because of the ongoing diplomatic situation, many Canadians have had to scramble to make lastminute alternate arrangements.
Calgarian Dr. Atthar Mahmood, vice-president of the Islamic Supreme Council of Canada, said he himself knows of about 30 local families who plan to make the pilgrimage this year and believes between 300 and 400 Calgarians will be directly involved in the hajj, which will be performed on Aug. 20 and 21.
“Yes, some people who were going on the Saudi airlines have had some issues. Their tickets out of Toronto have been cancelled so many have had to make other arrangements, getting new tickets and flying different routes to Jeddah,” Mahmood said.
“Some people I know are going this weekend and making lastminute changes can be expensive. There might even be people who are not yet aware that Saudi airlines has cancelled. They might be in big trouble,” he added.
Here in Calgary, thousands of Muslims not attending the Mecca pilgrimage will be performing the ritual sacrifice of Eid immediately following the end of hajj. Special prayer services are being held in various parts of the city after which various animals are slaughtered (specially handled by a butcher) and divided into three portions — one for the individual, another for his close relatives and a third shared with the community.
Goat is often the animal sacrificed, however, seven people can group together to buy a cow for slaughter. It is a busy time for the specialized butcher shops that can only carry out the work once the Eid prayer ceremonies are complete. This means that the butchered meat quite often doesn’t get delivered until several days later.
“I believe the number of sacrifices in Calgary this year will be … more than 5,000. Most often a goat is used but the cow is becoming common as well.
“It can cost about $3,000 so people split the cost and one cow counts as seven sacrifices,” Mahmood said.
Eid is celebrated in Islam to honour and commemorate the willingness of Abraham to sacrifice his son Ishmael at God’s order. At the last moment, God provided Abraham, who had passed the required test of extreme loyalty, with a lamb to sacrifice instead. Often, local Muslims will send donations to various Islamic organizations so they can provide meat in poorer parts of the world, said Mahmood. The sacrificed meat from Saudi Arabia will be delivered to many poor countries and especially to refugee camps across the globe.
Eid morning prayer locations for Calgary on Wednesday, Aug. 22, are as follows:
Green Dome Masjid, 4616 - 80 Ave N.E. — 8 a.m., 9 a.m. and 10 a.m.; Genesis Centre, Falconridge Boulevard N.E. — 8 a.m., 9 a.m. and 10 a.m.; Magnolia Hall, 5075 Falconridge Blvd. N.E. — 8:15 a.m. and 9: 15 a.m.; Cardel Rec Centre, Shawville Boulevard S.E. — 8 a.m. McKenzie Towne Community Centre — 8 a.m. and 8:30 a.m.; Symons Valley United Church, Kincora Rise N.W. — 7 a.m. and 8 a.m.; St. Thomas United Church, Hawkwood Boulevard N.W. — 8 a.m.
Parking at all of the locations is free, however, because of the thousands of people coming for prayers, management at the locations is requesting people to car pool. For further information, contact Dr. Atthar Mahmood 403-708-1055 or by email: isbmahat@yahoo.com