PILGRIMS MOVE OUT OF MAKKAH FOR MASYAIR
Transfer of 30,200 Malaysian pilgrims to Arafah takes all day
THE day much awaited by pilgrims has finally arrived. Together with those converged here from all corners of the globe, Malaysian pilgrims yesterday moved out of here for Masyair, the most challenging phase of the haj, arriving in the Plain of Arafah in stages.
During Masyair, the climax of the haj, pilgrims will perform various rituals, among them the most significant — wukuf in Arafah.
The transfer of 30,200 Malaysian pilgrims, which started at 8.30am local time yesterday, took all day.
The first few buses arrived in Arafah, 20km southeast of here, about 10am. The journey was challenging as other pilgrims from around the world were also on the road.
There were three trips involving 22 buses per maktab, with the last bus arriving in Arafah at night. Overall, there are 12 maktab for pilgrims.
Pilgrims boarded buses in ihram, a state of purity, with male pilgrims each clad only in a twopiece unstitched white cotton cloth, and the women in their prayer robes.
This is a reminder that in the hereafter, mankind, regardless of their wealth, social standing or race, stand as equals before God’s judgment.
Pilgrims brought along only one bag, each containing basic necessities and medication as advised by Tabung Haji as space was limited in the tents in Arafah and Mina.
This year, the buses left for Arafah earlier in the morning compared with previous years, when pilgrims would start leaving only from 11am. The new, cooler air-conditioned tents in Arafah made this earlier arrangement possible this year.
Masyair refers to the massive movement of pilgrims from Makkah to Arafah for wukuf, and then onwards to Muzdalifah and Mina. Wukuf in Arafah represents the pinnacle of haj, a most auspicious day in Islam.
Great efforts are made to ensure all, including the ill and elderly, make it for wukuf as failure to be present in Arafah today on the 9th of Zulhijjah will invalidate a pilgrim’s haj.
It is said that during wukuf or the Day of Arafah, the skies will open up and Allah will accept sincere prayers and repentance.
From Arafah, pilgrims would move on to Muzdalifah after maghrib prayers tonight and stay there for half a night before moving on to Mina. In Muzdalifah, pilgrims will collect pebbles for the stoning ritual in Mina.
All pilgrims are expected to arrive in Mina by 7am or 8am tomorrow. In Mina, the stoning ritual over four days will involve walking about 7.5km from their tents to the jamarat ( pillars) and back.
LOST in translation? here, thanks to a dedicated Not squad of interpreters gearing up to help two million Muslims speaking dozens of languages at the annual haj pilgrimage.
Most of the world’s Muslims do not speak Arabic.
In all, 80 per cent of pilgrims here are non-Arabic speakers, according to Mazen al-Saadi of the official haj translation bureau.
His team provides 24/7 interpretation services in English, French, Farsi, Malay, Hausa, Turkish, Chinese and Urdu, the most widely spoken language among haj pilgrims.
For Samir Varatchia, who made the trip to Mecca from France’s Indian Ocean island of Reunion, the men in grey vests — the uniform of the official haj translation team — are a welcome sight.
“I really don’t know much Arabic,” he said.
“The French translation will help us understand things, including the sermons.”
Tunisian interpreter Abdulmumen al-Saket is happy to help, fielding frequent requests for his phone number.
“Some ask for our personal phone numbers, to call us later if they need help,” he added.
Many of the signs directing pilgrims are translated into English, Urdu and in some cases, French.
Mecca’s Grand Mosque provides a range of translation and interpreting services to pilgrims.
Specialist departments deal with sermons and rulings, and a hotline is available in dozens of languages to answer religious questions. But for practical matters, Saadi’s 80-strong team is indispensible.
“Most (pilgrims) don’t speak Arabic and are afraid to ask in the event of an accident,” Sanaullah Ghuri, an Indian translator, said.
A deadly stampede in 2015 left more than 2,000 pilgrims dead in Mina, the Mecca neighbourhood where the symbolic stoning of the devil ritual takes place during haj. Many pilgrims were unable to understand security forces’ instructions, delivered in Arabic.
Saudi Arabia, one of the world’s most restrictive countries, has recently embarked on an ambitious reform programme spearheaded by the powerful young Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
That has included pumping millions of dollars into high-tech initiatives. Providing services for two million pilgrims is no small feat, and authorities are pushing a “smart haj” initiative this year to meet the rising demand.
That includes apps providing information on emergency medical services and geographic guides to Makkah and Mina.
One app will also translate haj sermons into five languages.
But the Indian translator, Ghuri, said the presence of reallife interpreters made the experience of haj easier for pilgrims.
“When they see someone speaking their language, they feel more comfortable seeking help,” he said.